A Bookworm's Book Reviews

The Attic Child – Lola Jaye

A warning: this book talks a lot about child abuse and neglect.

Title: The Attic Child

Author: Lola Jaye

Genre Historical Fiction

Plot: Dikimbe is the youngest child of a family of five kids. He lives outside of a village in Africa, in what is today called Zaire. A rich Englishman named Sir Richard Babbington back home to England him when Dikimbe is around 9. Sir Richard changes Dikimbe’s name to Celestine. Under Sir Richard, Celestine wants for nothing. As he grows up, Celestine learns the truth of how he was brought to England. He sees others from Africa who don’t have it as nice as him. He begins to resent Sir Richard. When Sir Richard dies and his cousins take over, Celestine’s life gets flipped upside down again. When he’s not working all day, his bedroom is now staying locked in the attic. Can Celestine survive his new way of life?

Almost one hundred years later, another person was locked in the attic during their dark childhood. Lowra is an orphan who prefers to keep herself anonymous and live in the shadows. Her past keeps her distant from everyone. When the owners of the house she grew up in die, she grabs the two things that meant something to her and leaves. That house has too many dark memories for her. But something in Lowra makes her want to find the original owners of her keepsakes. This leads her on a journey of self discovery and what really happened to the previous captive of the attic.

Rating: 4.0 a great historical fiction that shows the darker side of colonialism

Opinion: This was a great book. It’s not often you read a book about African colonialism from the mind of a child. They don’t always know about the conflicts around them. They don’t always know the behind the scenes things that happen. They know what happens in the moment. They don’t always know why. It broke my heart to hear Dikimbe/Celestine’s story. As an American, I tend to think more of the slave trade than colonialism when it comes to Africa before the 1900’s. It pissed me off to learn a different side of colonialism. It’s not as nice as we’ve made it out to be. The author does a great job writing through the hard times the characters went through. She knows what she’s writing about and has clearly done her research. There are very good distinctions between the switches between the characters points of view. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

The Mark of the Lion Trilogy – Francine Rivers

Titles: 1 – A Voice on the Wind, 2 – An Echo in the Darkness, 3 – As Sure as the Dawn

Author: Francine Rivers

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Book 1 – Jerusalem is attacked and destroyed under order of Titus. Hadassah’s family has all died of starvation or by the Roman sword. She’s taken captive and sold into slavery in Rome. Her masters the Valerians, and is takesked with serving Julia, a vain and selfish young woman. Marcus, her brother is helping with their father’s trade business. Hadassah does well and tells her masters stories about her faith without telling anyone she’s Christian, and not Jewish. Her faith would get her killed if anyone knew, a Roman law. Hadassah wants to tell her masters about her faith, but will they hear an and believe? Can the Balerian family see past their delish desires and love each other? Or will someone else get in the way?

Book 2: The Valerian family thinks that Hadassah is dead. For now, she’d like to keep it that way. The lioness left deep scars, physically and mentally. A physician in training, Alexander, took pity on her and saved her from death. Hadassah became his assistant when she was healed. In God’s name, she helped heal others. She earned the name, Rapha (Aramaic for healer). This caught the attention of Julia, who’s dying from all sorts of things after a party lifestyle. But there’s nothing she or Alexander can do. Hadassah begs to let Alexander to let her stay and help Julia. He’s hesitant because he knows about their relationship. Eventually he agrees. When Marcus returns from his journey of self discovery and faith, he finds out about Julia and has her stay at their family’s houses. Hadassah is reunited with the whole Valerian family in disguise as Rapha. Hadassah tries hard to bring them to faith. Can everyone be saved? Or will death take them first?

Book 3: Atretes was a German and member of the Chatti tribe. During the events of the first book, he was taken captive by the Romans and trained to fight as a gladiator. He earned his freedom after 10 years of fighting. He learned he had a son with Julia and wants to get him back now. A widow named Rizpah has been caring for his son since Hadassah brought him to her. Atretes tries to care for his son, Caleb, with the help of a wet nurse, but he only wants Rizpah. Reluctantly, Atretes brings Rizpah back. They form an uneasy truce. Atretes is also desperate to get back to Germania. An old ‘friend’ wants to see him in the arena as a gladiator again. The two of them must escape before this happens. Rizpah knows of other Christians who are traveling towards Germania and let both of them join. But traveling with them is a former Roman officer turned Christian. Atretes hates the very idea of him leading them to his homeland, but it’s the only option. Everyone on the journey tries to tell Atretes about Jesus but he wants none of it. It takes a miracle for him to see the truth. After the miracle he wants to share the truth with his people. But will they accept the truth? Or will they die in the process?

Rating: 4.0 – a great historical fiction series

Opinion: This was a great trilogy. I read this in high school and wanted to read it again. There were a few things I remembered but I forgot a lot. I forgot how much the ending of the first one pissed me off. I loved the history, sappy romance, and Christianity. I’ve always felt like this author did her research for books and this book is no different. I love how the author writes the characters. Everyone has a distinct personality. It’s easy to relate or hate a character. One of the things that bugged me was that the ending of the third book felt a little rushed. The third one also didn’t feel as connected to the other two. I loved this trilogy. It’s every bit as good as I remembered it. This is a great trilogy for anyone who loves historical fiction, sappy romance, and faith based stories.

Dazzle the Dinosaur – Marcus Pfister

Title: Dazzle the Dinosaur

Author and Illustrator: Marcus Pfister

Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: Dazzle and and Maia are little dinosaurs who are the best of friends. But Dazzle has always stood out from the other dinosaurs. He has a sail on his back that shines and glitters. One day Maia and Dazzle are playing and get separated from everyone else. While they’re playing, a Dragonsaurus finds the two little dinosaurs. Dazzle and Maia hid in a cave. Then they have an idea. Dazzle can use his shiny scales to scare away the Dragonsaurus. Will it work? Can Dazzle and Maia find their way home?

Rating: 4.2 – a cute story about being brave and smart

Opinion: I loved this book growing up, as I was one of those kids who loved all things dinosaurs. I loved Dazzle’s shiny scales. This was a cute book and it still is now. It’s book that lets kids know it’s okay to be different. It shows them ways to be brave, too. The book shows how to use your differences to be brave. It’s got beautiful drawings and a good message. It’s not one of this author’s more famous books, but still a great book to have.It’s a great book to have in the classroom or at home. Great for a dinosaur lover or dinosaur classroom unit.

The Invisible String – Patrice Karst

Title: The Invisible String

Author: Patrice Karst

Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (new version), Geoff Stevenson (old version)

Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book

Plot: Jeremy and Liza go wake up their mom because they miss someone who’s far away. Their mom explains that everyone’s connected by an invisible string made of love. It can stretch as far as the person is away. The string doesn’t go away if the person has past away. The string will never go away if they love someone.

Rating: 4.3 – a sweet story about how everyone’s connected

Opinion: This was one of the last books I got to read at the daycare. One of the kids was talking to their dad about it when they got dropped off. The family brought it to the daycare the next day. It was super sweet and I loved it. The kids seemed to connect with it, too. It’s a simple way to remind kids that no matter where someone is, that you’ll always be with them in their, and your, heart. I loved that the author added the fact that the string won’t disappear if someone passes away. This is a great story for kids who’ve moved away from family and friends or lost family. I’d recommend this book for a classroom or at home. Also while looking online, I found lots of activities to go with the book.

Darling Girl – Liz Michalski

Title: Darling Girl

Author: Liz Michalski

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: Jane Darling is the granddaughter of Wendy Darling. The same Wendy who went to Neverland. In the present day, she’s the owner of a skincare company. Everything changes when she gets a call from her daughter, Eden, who’s been in a coma for 10 years. When Jane gets to Eden’s care home, Eden’s vanished. Now Jane’s got to find her, but not sure who she can trust. Trying to be discreet, Jane hires a private detective, Christopher Cooke, who turns out to have a hook for a hand. Jane’s trusts even others less when she sees signs of Peter Pan again. And he’s not as nice as the stories will tell you. Will Jane be able to find Eden in time? Can Christoper Cooke be trusted? Or will Peter Pan keep what he wants?

Rating: 3.5 – an interesting take on Peter Pan

Opinion: This was an interesting story. I’ve always liked the idea of Peter Pan as a kid. Now I see him as immature and bratty. This idea took Peter Pan as more of a bad guy, and as a bratty kid in a grown up body. It was interesting mystery because you can guess who did it, but the author gives minor clues at other characters to throw for a little bit but all of the clues still point to who really did it. The main thing was finding out where Eden was being hidden away. Overall, this was not a bad story, just kind of slow. There were some minor plots that didn’t really go anywhere but still got wrapped up at the end. I was also kind of hoping it be closer to the original story but it’s not. This is an interesting story for those who like Peter Pan.

Guest Post – The Elephant Whisperer

Thank you Shannon of Happy Life Safari for this review.

Title: The Elephant Whisperer

Author: Lawrence Anthony

Genre: Biography / Animal Conservation

Plot: Telling his true story about how a herd of elephants changed his life, animal conservationist, Lawrence Anthony, was asked to take 9 elephants on his Zululand reserve “Thula Thula”. Due to the nature of these rogue elephants, Lawrence was the herds last chance of survival. With the turn of each page, you discover how wonderful these creatures are, and how through the work of Lawrence Anthony, how important animal conservation is.

Opinion: With the assistance of journalist Graeme Spence, this story is told in a way that makes you feel you are standing within the reserve and experiencing the elephant’s emotions with Lawrence Anthony. You cannot help but want to research this story further after you finish reading the last page. I am hoping to head to ‘Thula Thula’ in the next couple of years to see the herd and feel the magic I did throughout this story, and Lawrence Anthony’s other stories of animal rescue and conservation.

All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr

Title: All the Light We Cannot See

Author: Anthony Doerr

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Marie-Laurie is a 12 year old blind girl in 1942 in Paris. Her father works at the Museum of Natural History. They both flea to Saint Malo when the Nazis occupy Paris. They find shelter with Marie-Laurie’s great uncle Etienne. Her father returns to Paris after some time when he feels it’s safer, but disappears. After much convincing, Etienne and Marie-Laurie help with Saint Malo’s resistance movement. But with the Nazis occupying Saint Malo, how long will their help in the resistance? Will they be caught? Or can they survive?

Werner Pfenning is an orphan living with his sister, Junta, in a orphanage in a small mining town in Germany. He’s wary of the growing Nazi party. He has a knack for fixing radios which gains the notice of the commanders in the Hitler Youth. Werner goes through military training and soon is sent to the front. His job is to help find resistance movements using his skills as a radio station finder. He knows he can’t get out of the service easy, and doesn’t love what he’s doing. Slowly he starts delaying finding radio signals. Near the end of the war, Werner finds himself in Saint Malo. He knows about Marie-Laurie’s signal but delays telling anyone about it. What will happen when they meet? Will both survive?

Rating: 3.5 – a good story about ordinary people in WW2

Opinion: This was a great book. I can see why everyone loves it. I really enjoyed learning about more about the resistance moments during WW2. It was also nice to see more about ordinary people during WW2. Though I found the book a little dull in some parts. It was a little long for me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the time jumps back and forth. I felt like one or two of the characters weren’t as necessary for as much of the plot as they were in. They were annoying for me. But overall I really did enjoy the plot. I did like how the author wrapped up everyone’s storyline at the end. That was one of the few times I didn’t mind the time jumps. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

Guest Post – The Tidewater Bride

Thank you Daphne of Free at 50 for this review

Title: The Tidewater Bride

Author: Laura Frantz

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Plot: Selah Hopewell is young by today’s standards but surprisingly unwed in 17th century Jamestowne, a couple decades after the “starving time” when the colonists are building a thriving community. This book focuses on the stage in Selah’slife when she is questionably alone, helping her family’s business, and active in the community, supporting the brides brought in from England to increase the population of the Tidewater region through marriage and family. It is the story of both her and a widower landowner, loosely based on Pocahontas’ husband John Rolfe.

Rating: 4.5 – The Tidewater Bride explains 17th century Virginia well.

Opinion: Romance books are not my go-to read. However, this is the second book by Laura Frantz I’ve read and more will be on my list! After 30 years working for others, I left corporate life to be a blogger. And moved. We left Michigan and came to Williamsburg Virginia because we love history. I can feel it all around me every day and Tidewater Bride was a book I had to read. Selah’s story, as the daughter of one of Jamestowne’sinitial entrepreneurs/colonists, weaves romance with history. The Hopewell family takes in a “bride,” and we watch the process of how the brides were courted and wed in 17th century Virginia. It spans several seasons, examining the relationship with “the naturals” including the powerful chief, and exposes family life and the political climate as well as the physical one in the Tidewater.

You can feel the humidity, hear the sounds along the James River, and experience the history by reading this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you are visiting our area- bring it with you as your vacation read!

Daisy Darker – Alice Feeney

This is an early release book I got from Book of the Month. It’ll be available on August 30.

Title: Daisy Darker

Author: Alice Feeney

Genre: Thriller

Plot: Daisy Darker is the youngest of three girls. She was born with a heart defect. Her family thinks she’s broken because of it. Everyone except her grandma. Her parents divorced when Daisy was young and her family’s drifted apart. After many years of avoiding each other, they finally meet up for their grandma’s birthday at her island home. Slowly their old routines and fights return. At the stroke of midnight, someone turns up dead. Then someone else dies an hour later. With no escape, the Darker family is stuck on the island with a killer. Who could it be? Will anyone escape alive?

Rating: 4.5 – an exciting murder mystery

Opinion: This was a great book. I was curious about who did it the whole time. I had my suspicion about who did it but was caught by complete surprise and the twist at the end. I’m sure I could’ve seen part of it coming by the hints throughout the book but I wasn’t looking at those hints. I got caught up in different clues. It’s easy to see why each of the family members could’ve done it because of all the disfunction. This book keeps you interested through the whole thing and leaves lots of clues and misleads about who could’ve done it. I’d read this book again to see if I can find all the hints again. This is a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Guest Post – The Essential Habits of 6-Figure Bloggers

Thank you Daphne of Free at 50 for this review.

Title: The Essential Habits of 6-Figure Bloggers

Author: Sally Miller

Genre: Business

Plot: 17 entrepreneurs share the habits they’ve adopted and the reality behind becoming 6-figure bloggers. The format is each habit explained by the author and interviews of the entrepreneurs, one at a time.

Rating: 5 – The Essential Habits of 6-Figure Bloggers is grounded in reality and focuses on the work it takes to be successful as an online entrepreneur.

This is a book I keep on my nightstand! Motivation and inspiration grounded in reality, Sally Miller’s work is one of the best non-fiction books out there in the genre. We see it all the time as online entrepreneurs: the promises that we can “hit 6 figures” fast. The “secrets to 6 figures in 90 days” – right? Wrong. To have long-term, sustainable income, it takes time. The 17 success stories in Essential Habits share the habits it takes to get there. Miller asks each person several questions including how long it was from starting their blog/online business until they were getting $8,000/month consistently. Spoiler: no one said 30 days. Or even a few months. Some took years. Blogging and online entrepreneurship in general is a long game. If you want confirmation that you are ok in slowly and consistently building your business and seeking advice from those that have traveled the same road and “made it,” this book is for you!