A Bookworm's Book Reviews

Artemis 3 – Lindsey Stirling

This is the continuation of the Artemis comic books. Issues 4-6 are available now.

Title: Artemis: Issue 3

Author: Lindsey Stirling

Artists: Jason Badower, Emily Chow, Rodrigo Luff, Damination, Anna Marie Navaja, Andworld Design

Genre: Fantasy, Comic Book

Plot: Artemis has been captured by the goddess Nyx. She convinces Artemis that they knew each other in a past life, they were Greek goddesses. Nyx promises Artemis that she can give everyone in the Trenches what they want if she does what Nyx asks. She needs Artemis to round up the people trying to break Nyx’s laws. Artemis is conflicted, but agrees if she can do it her way. Artemis slowly starts to remember her old life. She starts to think Calix might be from her old life. But she needs to bring him in. Before she can talk to Calix, the Shadow Wardens capture him. Will she be able to help Calix and the others? Or will Nyx get her way?

Rating: 4.0 an excellent continuation of the Artemis series

Opinion: I’m starting to really enjoy comic books. This series is really amazing. The details in the drawing are incredible. The story is really starting to come together. Though it’s a more classic story line, I like the twists on the story. There are Greek gods thrown into a dystopian future. It deals with forgotten memories and past lives. And there’s a sappy romance starting to bloom. This is the makings of a good series for me. I’m excited to see where this series is going. I’ve hooked and ready for the next one. This is another great addition to the series. It’s a great book for those who enjoy comic books and fantasy series.

The Scarlet Thread – Francine Rivers

Title: The Scarlet Thread

Author: Francine Rivers

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Plot: Sierra Madrid’s husband, Alex has just taken a job in Las Ángeles. He’s already looking for houses in the area when Sierra finds out. Sierra is outraged that he wants to uproot their family on such short notice and didn’t consult her or the kids. Her mother encourages her to make the most of the situation. Sierra reluctantly goes with. She drags her feet the whole way. Once they move to LA, Alex becomes consumed in his work. He starts ignoring her and their kids. The two of them become more and more distant. They fight more often than not. Until Alex wants out and cheats on Sierra. He demands a divorce. Then Sierra’s mom passes away. Sierra hits rock bottom after the funeral. After a cop pulls Sierra over, her life starts to turn around. She finds faith and healing. But will it be enough to help with her and family? Can she find healing for her and Alex? Or is it too late for them?

Before Sierra’s mother passed away, she gave Sierra a journal of one of her ancestors, Mary Katheryn. Mary’s journal is split between the chapters. Mary talks about the sadness of her childhood and challenges of living on a homestead and the journey on the Oregon Trail. Mary Katheryn finds love, forgiveness, and faith along the trail and in her new home.

Rating: 3.4 – a little hard for me to relate to and a little slow to start

Opinion: This book was a good book. It was probably meant for someone older or married, or a child of divorce. It went deeply into the trials of marriage. But by the end of the book, I found myself hopeful and rooting for Sierra, Alex, and Mary Katheryn. It made me realize how much work marriage is. It can be so easy forget to see how other people see things and how our actions can effect other people. We get so caught up in our own problems and worries that we don’t see how others are affected. While not every marriage will change for the better, some can. I went into the book thinking things would end so differently than they did. There was more reconciliation than I hoped for. There was peace on both sides in each story. While I wasn’t sure about the book in the beginning, I didn’t start this book liking it, I ended up enjoying it the more I read. The stories connecting Sierra and Mary Katheryn made the story more relatable. I like stories that connect the generations. While this wasn’t my favorite Francine Rivers book, it was still a great story or redemption. A great book for those who need a redemption story.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris

Title: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Author: Heather Morris

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Lale Sokolov has surrendered himself to the Nazis so they will spare his family (so they tell them). He’s a Slavic Jew and is taken to Auschwitz in 1942. At first he’s optimistic. Then reality sits in after the first night at the concentration camp. Lale does what he needs to survive. He starts to befriend the right kapos and guards. He’s daily reminded of the horrors of the camp. Then he gets sick. Somehow, Lale lives. The camp’s tattooist takes care of him and offers him an assistant tattooist job. Lale hesitantly accepts, knowing it could help him survive. While tattooing, he sees a brave woman. Lale knows she’s the girl for him. Then the other tattooist disappears. He internally knows what happened. A guard Lale’s befriended gets him the information he needs. The woman’s name is Gita. They meet through the fence and start talking when the guards aren’t looking. Slowly, they fall in love. Lale finds some ways to bribe the guards so he can meet with Gita. But will it be enough? Can both of them survive? Or will they be caught? Can their love outlast the Nazis? Or is the hate and oppression stronger?

Rating: 4.5 – a heartbreaking story of love during the Holocaust

Opinion: As sad as this story was, I really enjoyed it. It broke my heart every time I read it, but I had to know if they survived. Both Lale and Gita, as did everyone else, did what they had to to survive. But they didn’t let it destroy their souls. They had hope somewhere inside them. That’s what kept me reading. Even when the odds kept stacking up against them, they found ways to survive, to hope, to love. The book made me feel the panic when the characters faced the obstacles, the horrors of Dr. Mengele, the doctor described as the ‘Angel of Death,’ and despair when Lale was sent away. The book was personal as it was about real people who survived the Holocaust. Even though the book was sad, it still had hope and love woven throughout. It keeps you reading. I highly recommend this book for those who love historical fiction and need a survival story with hope and love.

Becoming the Dark Prince – Kerri Maniscalco

This is a novella between books 3 and 4 in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series.

Title: Becoming the Dark Prince

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Short Story

Plot: Thomas Cresswell is distraught. His girlfriend, Audrey Rose Wadsworth, has been attacked and stabbed in the leg. The knife almost hit her femoral artery. But their on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. No one’s sure if she’ll survive because of the blood loss. Now it’s a waiting game and Thomas isn’t the most patient man. He wants revenge on those who almost killed Audrey Rose. His heart is torn. He loves Audrey Rose but she may not him in return any more. He respects her to make her own choices. But will Audrey Rose ever wake up? Who will she chose?

Rating: 3.5 – a good short story about what happens between books 3 and 4

Opinion: I enjoyed this short story. It was nice to know what happens between books 3 and 4. There is a bigger time gap between those books and I was curious about what happens. The book gave some hints but didn’t give the full picture. I liked that this short story was from Thomas’ perspective. The other books were from Audrey Rose’s. This book was more about Audrey’s and Thomas’ relationship than a mystery. I enjoyed this relationship because they were both very respectful towards each other and wanted the best for each other, even if they meant their relationship was over. This is a good short story that adds a little bit more of a behind the scenes look into their relationship. If you’ve liked the series, then add this book to it.

Toward the Sunrise – Elizabeth Camden

This is a Towards the Dawn prequel.

Title: Toward the Sunrise

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Genre: Historical Fiction, Short Story

Plot: Julia Broeder has just been expelled from one of the first medical schools for women. In a moment of impulse, she’d agreed to help stitch up a dog then ‘stole’ it to keep it from the fighting ring. Julia dejectedly returns home, hoping for help. At first she finds none, Julia tries to think of something else that can help her fulfill her dreams of traveling. Her family’s landlord’s attorney, Ashton Carlyle, has been the one helping send money her way for tuition. After some convincing from Julia and the landlord, Ashton agrees to help Julia. But is that what Julia truly wants? Or will she change her mind?

Rating: 3.8 – a fun short, sappy, historical fiction story

Opinion: This was a nice break from the full length books I’ve been reading. It was a nice little prologue, in a way, to another of Elizabeth Camden’s books, Towards the Sunrise. It was good little sappy, historical fiction short story. Though I missed the mystery of Elizabeth Camden’s other books. It was shorter than I was expecting. I didn’t expect an excerpt from the other book at the end. While the ending was fine and wrapped everything up nicely, I wanted to know more about the characters. I wanted to know about their other adventures they went on after the short story ended. It’s a great little story that still reels you in, despite its short length. It’s great for anyone who needs a break from full length novels and loves sappy, historical fiction.

Thr3e – Ted Dekker

Title: Thr3e

Author: Ted Dekker

Genre: Thriller

Plot: Kevin Pearson is a seminary student driving home after classes when he receives a call. The caller calls himself Slater and wants Kevin to admit his sin to the world or he’ll blow Kevin up. He has three minutes to do so. But what sin? There’s a hint in the riddle Slater left for him. Kevin drives his car to an almost empty parking lot seconds before it blows up. The police question him. Kevin’s hesitant to bring up his past. And manages to avoid doing so this time. Not long after he arrives home, Slater calls again. There’s another riddle and more time to solve it. Only problem is that Slater demands that no cops are involved. His childhood friend Samantha, Sam for short, calls to help. She promises to help however she can. While Sam and Kevin are trying to solve the riddle, the FBI arrive on the scene. Jessica is in charge as the serial killer known as the Riddle Killer has surfaced, possibly as Slater. Jessica is quick to help solve the riddle and save who they can before the next bomb goes off. But Slater sets it off early as the cops get involved. Then Sam helps Kevin disappear so Slater is forced into the open. But will it be enough? Slater is blowing up bigger and bigger things while demanding Kevin admit his sin. Will Jessica and Sam be able to save Kevin? Or will Slater win? But what is the sin? Who is Slater? Is he the Riddle Killer? Or are there more than one killer out there?

Rating: 4.0 – a good, creepy serial killer thriller

Opinion: I liked this book so much better than Ted Dekker’s other serial killer book, BoneMan’s Daughter. The book had a much more believable story and more cohesive, believable ending. I was still creeped out by both but I believed this one more. I was a little scared to look out my bedroom window after reading this book. This serial killer seemed to have a better, more believable motive for his actions. This book does a good job going into mental health and traumatic and abusive childhoods. It tells of what can happen to people who’ve dealt with things no one should have to deal with. This book made it easier to understand what the characters went through. It made me want to research more about the mental health issues. I’m curious to know what others who know more about this topic think about this book. This is a good book for those who love thrillers and good versus evil stories.

Wolf Gift Chronicles – Anne Rice

Title: 1 – The Wolf Gift, 2 – The Wolves of Midwinter

Author: Anne Rice

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: 1 (The Wolf Gift) – Rueben Golding is a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicler researching an old mansion outside of town. He decides to stay the night and is considering buying the house. That night, the house is broken into. Rueben is attacked by an animal and left to die. Someone finds Rueben and rushes him to the hospital. There he undergoes some miraculous changes. He grows bigger, gets stronger, and hair gets thicker. When Rueben gets the all clear, he goes home. Then it happens. He transforms into a wolf. Then the voices start. The voices of the suffering call out to him. Rueben has to respond to the suffering. In the morning, Rueben becomes a human again. Each night he transforms again and again. He finds Laura. She helps him learn about what he is. Another of his kind finds him and wants to kill him. Rueben comes out victorious. As Rueben’s wolf man gains more media attention, other more threatening forces are drawn out. Rueben is forced to learn who he can trust. Or die trying.

2 (The Wolves of Midwinter) – Rueben has a new home and a new family. Laura has become a Morphenkinder like him and is waiting to change. Christmas is fast approaching and the others like him are planning a gran celebration. Rueben gets caught up in the festivities. His friends teach him the subtleties of transforming. Rueben starts learning about the others that are like him as well. There are other immortal creatures out there and other wolf packs. And not everyone is as accepting as Rueben’s pack. Hostilities rise as more people gather around Rueben’s house. He learns who his true family is.

Rating: 3.2 – an interesting take on werewolves

Opinion: This was an interesting take on werewolves. Though there wasn’t a ton of plot. The author focuses more on imagery and descriptions than the plot. I could skim parts of the book and not miss anything because of all the descriptions. The plot doesn’t go much of anywhere. There are points where it really picks up then it dies right down again. It was kind of annoying. In the first book there is more sex than I’m used to or like in books. The first one is different because there is an info dump at the end of the book. You learn more about the werewolf lore at the end of the book rather than the beginning or middle. The second book focuses more on the secondary characters and building up to the Christmas celebrations than moving the plot along. I kept thinking something was going to happen but it never did until later in the book. Then it picked up for a couple chapters then went on as normal. While the werewolf lore was great, the plot was kind of lacking. Still a decent fantasy series.

Beneath a Golden Veil – Melanie Dobson

Title: Beneath a Golden Veil

Author: Melanie Dobson

Genre: Historical Fiction

Plot: Isabelle Labrie owns and runs the Golden Hotel in Sacramento in 1854 during the California Gold Rush. There she waits for her sweetheart, Ross, to return from the gold fields and marry her. But Fanny, a new arrival to the hotel from New York, says she’s already married to Ross. Then Isabelle helps a runaway slave escape. Now she’s under suspension, even though California’s supposed to be a free state. Then Alden Payne arrives with a young ‘slave’ Isaac. He’s intent on freeing Isaac as soon as he can. Isabelle instantly recognizes Alden from her past that she’s tried so hard to forget. To make matter’s worse, Isaac’s master, Victor, is hot on their trail. He intends to take back what is his, no matter the costs. Then Isabelle is caught trying to help another runaway slave that was on the same ship as Alden and Isaac. Alden tries to help, but will it be enough? Will Isabelle ever be free of her past? Can Alden ever free Isaac? Or will Victor take back all that is his?

Rating: 4.0 – a different take on the Gold Rush

Opinion: I originally found this book on super sale at a local Christian book store. It looked interesting so I thought I’d give it a shot. It didn’t disappoint. Though it was a little slow to start, it kept my attention the whole time. For some reason I’d never connected that the California Gold Rush happened while slavery still existed till I read this book. Maybe because I’d always been taught them separately. This books makes a good point that not every matter is as black and white as we’d like it. I really did enjoy that a woman was running and owned a fine hotel, instead of the usual places we hear of women operating at this time. It was easy to root for Isabelle and Alden and want them to succeed. The ending almost broke my heart cause the ending I wanted almost didn’t happen. The author is very good with the changing view points. She did a great job writing a creepy villain. This book does a great job of showing the different mindsets about slavery and how it effected them. I enjoyed learning about how life was in those days. This is a good book for any historical fiction fan.

Guest Post – A Murder in Time

Thank you Daphne of Free at 50 for this book review.

Title: A Murder in Time, Kendra Donovan Book 1, and series overview

Author: Julie McElwain

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Plot: Kendra Donovan is a twenty-something FBI agent and genius, estranged from her family and without ties outside work. While in England, she accidentally travels back to 1815, where she uses her 21st century skills to solve a murder. The 5-book series follows her adventures solving crime in 19th century England.

Rating: 4.8 – Unique spin on historical mysteries.

Rating: I do not get into science fiction, fantasy, or anything remotely close but this series, starting with Murder in Time, drew me in. In the first book of the series, one of the most brilliant rising stars in the FBI goes off on her own in England, without backup, and somehow ends up traveling back to 1815 during an altercation in an old castle. While there, she stumbles into a local murder mystery. She cannot help
but inject herself into it, building relationships with the Duke who’s castle she is in, his nephew, a London policeman and a lady from a nearby manor. She is desperate to get back to the 20th century, but clearly, I won’t be spoiling it by telling you she doesn’t since there are 4 more “in Time” books as of November 2020. Her balance of using her skills and ensuring she doesn’t give herself away or inadvertently impacting history is riveting. Staying true to what is available in 19th century England and applying 21st century FBI concepts and techniques makes for an outstanding read. Each book in the series is truly different covering geography from the English countryside to the streets of London and the climate of the time from class discrimination, gender roles, and political tensions.

Artemis 1-2 – Lindsey Stirling

The rest of the series is available now: Issue 3, and Issues 4-6

Title: Artemis: Issues 1 & 2

Author: Linsdey Stirling

Artists: Jason Badower, Wataboku, Rodrigo Luff, Danimation, Anna Marie Navaja, Andworld Design

Genre: Fantasy, Comic Book

Plot: Issue 1 – Citizen SE21 is an excellent roof rat (like a repairman) living in the the slums of a dystopian world. Cece, a friend of SE21, wants to help lead a rebellion against the Empress Nyx and her Shadow Wardens who have complete control of every citizen. When she meets a smuggler named Calix, he says he can get some medicine her uncle needs desperately from a mysterious man named Magnus. Calix asks SE21 what her codename is, and she decides to call herself Artemis when she finds a bracer on her arm with that etched in it after a strange dream. Artemis agrees to help Calix. When they are ambushed, Artemis learns she has some super powers. Her powers allow her to conjure a bow and arrows made of light. But will it be enough to save her and Calix?

Issue 2: Calix and Artemis manage to escape thanks to Artemis’ bow and arrow. Cece is still trying to encourage Artemis to join the rebellion. She tries to convince her to use her newfound powers to help the rebellion. Artemis is still unsure about joining. She’ not even sure how to use them. Now the Shadow Wardens alert Empress Nyx to Artemis’ powers. She orders the Shadow Wardens to track her down. Artemis is forced to flee. Artemis’ friends Cece and Calix agree to help her and her uncle go into hiding on the Upside. They’re forced to split up when the Shadow Wardens show up. Artemis hides with her uncle in an elevator shaft. Artemis’ powers come alive again. Will it be enough to save herself and her uncle? Will Artemis be able to control her powers?

Rating: 4.0 – a interesting take on a dystopian society

Opinion: I am new to the world of comics. I was still curious about the story line. I also enjoy Lindsey’s music so I thought, why not try this. I enjoyed this take on fantasy and dystopian future. While the idea isn’t new, the way the author does it is new. I like the fact that Artemis gets these powers and doesn’t instantly know how to use them. She has to learn how to use them. That and the fact that there is a rebellion starting before she gets her powers is also an interesting point. Another thing I like about this series is that Artemis doesn’t immediately want to join the rebellion after she gains her powers. She wants to help, but doesn’t see the need to join the rebellion. Artemis states that there are other ways to help. While I agree with this, I am really curious to see where this series goes. The artistry in the series is more of an anime (Japanese style comics) but still gorgeous. There are also hidden QR codes that link to Lindsey’s music which is another fun thing to look for. The panels are easy to follow. This was a fun read and I hope it will gain some traction. These are good comic books for any who love them. I would recommend this for any who love fantasy and dystopian reads as well.