Review #28: The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

I thought I'd do this review a little differently to usual, so bear with me. The scores are all tens, by the way. This book is faultless.

Back at the beginning of the outbreak of Coronavirus, when I started writing this blog, I never imagined my life would be opened up to such beautiful books. In March, I would always choose to read a thriller, thinking that the genre would be most exciting to read and write about. Back in May, I read "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens and was converted to trying new genres, becoming what I now think myself as a real bookworm, someone who will read anything. It became my favourite book. I cried the whole way through. 

Fast forward to this weekend, and here I was sobbing at yet another beautifully written book, one I feel cannot be beaten. "The Rules of Magic" by Alice Hoffman should be called "The Rules of Life". There was an amazing storyline of love and courage, and yet one more of regret, loss and sorrow. Whilst there were stories of three young witches, it was so true to real life that if you have lose your way throughout this year, you could read this book and get back on track. I've been through every emotion, and this book is the one that I truly didn't want to end. The Rules of Magic is part of a series, and you'd better believe I have already downloaded "Practical Magic". 

The characters are incredible, and represent so much more than witches. Haylin is my favourite character of all time, he could really teach a nation. But every single character is brilliantly thought and written. The book is set in a time that it's not OK to be different, but shows such acceptance to difference that it is incredible. Maybe this is why I adored this book so much. I am "different", in so many different ways.

I'll stop preaching to you all now, but honestly, I don't think I will ever forget this book. Please read it, whoever you are. The moral I took from this story is that I will always be true to who I am, regardless of circumstances, and I hope that you will take the same away from it. 

Take care, and stay safe.

Steph 💚

Review #27 Poison Orchids by Sarah A Denzil & Anni Taylor

 

I've started to love Sarah A. Denzil, so this book had been on my wishlist for a little while. I'm curious to learn how people can create a book with another person. I don't think I'd be able to, I have my own pictures in my head, and I don't know how people can compromise. I don't think it worked particularly well. Please note my review may have spoilers, so don't read further if you are reading, or planning to read Poison Orchids.

Writing Style: 6/10
Storyline: 7/10
Ease of Reading: 7/10

I have to admit, it shows that there are two authors within this book. It was OK, but it did get a bit muddled at times. I listened to this book on Audible, and the narrator was fine, though it kept getting confusing between her voice for Bronwyn and her voice for Megan.

The idea of the book was great. It very much reminded me of a fictional version of Charles Manson, and it was very engaging, until the end, where it became a bit far-fetched, and the police weren't believable. It felt very much as though one author rushed the end of the book, and added characters were not really needed. Jacob, for example. I found him intriguing, and his character could have been developed further. 

One thing I do enjoy in Sarah A. Denzil, and it translated into this book, despite the number of authors, is her descriptions of the character's surroundings. It's written in such a way that you can picture EXACTLY what the characters look like, and what is happening to them. 

The ending was chaotic. In my opinion, there are a couple of mistakes by the authors regarding who did what. 

All in all, not a bad book, but not "blow your socks off" shock and horror.

I hope you're all doing well. With the return of sports on television, and the fact that we can soon be spending time with families and friends, I just want to emphasise the need to stay vigilant, and I am here for anyone who is struggling. 

Stay safe,

Steph 💚 

Review #26: Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

After watching the Netflix series, I decided I needed to read the story to see how closely it follows the real story. The answer is loosely, but you'll read more about the Hasidic Jews and I was in awe of how much strength this lady (and all others who decide to leave this community) possesses. 

Writing Style: 8/10
Storyline: 8/10
Ease of Reading: 8/10

There's times in this story that you forget this was real life for the author. Other times, you're reminded with a bump that it was. This raw story of a different life will be a book you don't want to put down. It does have major differences to the Netflix series, but to be honest it works, because the author wants you to remember that there is not just her that felt different and out of place in that specific community, but she was the one to speak out. 

I've always been interested in other people's religion. Because I believe in faith and religion, but don't have a specific one, I really find it fascinating on the different variations that makes the world go round. I hope that many share my view that you respect whatever faith anyone may have. This book really gave me a respect and an appreciation of the freedom that I own. That I can say what I like, do what I like for a job, and most importantly decide what happens to my own body, and whether I have children or not, are all decisions that people in modern worlds (me included) can really take for granted. 

I can't really explain much about the content in the book, because I really hope that whether or not you've seen the TV series, you will read this memoir of what bravery really looks like, and any "spoilers" would dull all of the emotions you may feel throughout. 

This afternoon, I re-watched Unorthodox on Netflix and all of the emotion from the book is translated into pictures through a fictional character named Esty. I cried. I seem to be getting good at crying. I really recommend you watch the series too, mostly to learn more about this community that lives somewhat separate from the rest of the world.

Please don't get me (or the author) wrong. This book is, and the series, not sympathy inducing and it's not about hating the community that this lady left. Throughout the book and series I found myself sympathetic to every single character at some point or another. 

Anyway, I shall end my ramblings and recommend the book, and also, in a blog first, the film. 

I'll end this post by saying that there is a lot going on in the world at the moment, and I always try to stay as balanced as possible when deciding how I feel. Therefore, please take care and please get in touch if you need anything, even just an ear.

Stay safe, 

Steph 💚 

Review #25: Take It Back by Kia Abdullah

                                              

Somehow, as usual, I manage to read books that tackle issues that are ragingly current ones. This book is no different. A Caucasian, Disabled girl, is assaulted by 4 Muslim Boys. Massively current issues. The issues aside, this is what I thought. Please note this review has slight spoilers. Also, there are triggers in the book and probably in my review tbh, so please be careful!

Writing Style: 8/10
Storyline: 8/10
Ease of Reading: 7/10

I struggled with the scores on this one, I have absolutely mixed feelings about the book in general, even though it finished strong. 

As a disabled woman, I'm getting a bit sick of reading about "disfigured" female characters. It's as though authors try to find the most visible disability to make them seem more vulnerable. I'd like there to be other disabilities included in literature these days, not just the visible ones. That's not a criticism of this specific book though, I'm sure it was my fault for reading her book 3rd out of 3 books that i've now read and reviewed that contain a facial disfigurement. 

The set out of the book was good, but it took a while to get used to it. There were only 11 or 12 chapters, but they were very long. I half read, half listened to this book, and I think it worked more on Audible because of the multiple voices in the courtroom it set the feel of the trial out well. I also liked the fact that you didn't know the whole story until right at the very end, like you were actually a jury member

I liked that the author tackled both male and female characters of the ethnicities talked about in this story, but also the fact that the author didn't use ethnicity or colour of skin to show their guilt. Whilst she did raise many stereotypes, I thought Kia Abdullah quashed the stereotypes really well, by going into individuals' thoughts, actions and upbringing. 

There was an aspect in the book that didn't seem to have a place. I may have missed it, but Zara taking diazepam kind of confused me. Why was she taking it? I also found it slightly unbelievable that she had diazepam stashed away. These days, diazepam is REALLY hard to come by, even for spasms, so was Zara getting it from somewhere else? I'm just not sure where it fit in and why. 

I'll not spoil the ending, but I think it was a good ending. It could have gone further though, if the author wanted to, and I think it paves the way for a new kind of "Jury" story - She could write a whole cohort of books that gives you the feeling of being a juror (I would be reading every book!)

All in all a pretty strong book that could be improved on to be an epic book. 

Take care everyone,

Steph 💚

Review #24: Lockdown by Peter May

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With the blurb basically telling us what is currently happening, I decided I needed to read this! I was a little disappointed though... Note, there are spoilers in my review. 

Writing Style: 7/10
Storyline: 5/10
Ease of Reading: 6/10

Peter May wrote this book when Bird Flu was threatening to become a pandemic. Thankfully it didn't get that far, but because of Coronavirus I was curious as to the views that were written in advance. It's also the genre that I enjoy most. 

There were some eery similarities between the pandemic now to the book. The fact that the prime minister was so poorly with Coronavirus, that part of the book wasn't far-fetched. However, there were elements that were completely unbelievable. When Jack's son dies, the fact that there was no empathy and only cremations without a funeral at all was a little far-fetched and the ending of the entire book just would not happen. 

I feel as though this book was trying to be Stephen King-ish, but it just didn't work. Only Stephen King can get away with a guy who is burned from head to toe but still survives. 

My last "complaint" (I was really not feeling this book, was I?!)...

The bones of a girl were found and it transpired she had a facial disfigurement. It held no bearing to the story really, except it was a really lazy way to identify her and a pretty annoying but easy reason that she'd need to be adopted. I found myself wondering if this book was actually written in the 21st century!

My last point confused me further when Amy, a member of staff who puts the bones back together, was paralysed, and i thought she was portrayed pretty well!

All in all, this just wasn't my thing, and I understand why it wasn't published sooner. 

As always, please stay safe everyone, and be kind!

Steph 💚

Review #23: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

From the likes of The Rabbit Girls by Anna Ellory to the book in this review, I have only recently discovered the Historical Fiction genre and I am pretty much in awe. These two books I have read have inspired and horrified me in equal measure and has driven me to undertake some research into historical events, such as the Holocaust & the Vel D'hiv Roundup. 

Writing Style: 9.5/10
Storyline: 10/10

Ease of Reading: 9.5/10

 Tyger! Tyger! burning bright 

In the forests of the night, 

What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 

—WILLIAM BLAKE, Songs of Experience

I remembered learning about this poem at school, but I'm pretty sure I was too young to know just how poignant it was. I don't have anything to say really, but this is at the beginning of the Sarah's key, and whilst it's not mentioned in the book's story, there are moments that you're drawn back to it.

The writing style of this book is familiar and easy to follow. It flits from historical chapters to the present day, which I'm finding is common within Historical Fiction books.

In Sarah's Key, I particularly enjoyed the anonymity of the characters written about in 1942. You don't actually find out the girls name for certain until quite far through the story, and it really reflects the anonymity of the thousands of men, women and children sent to concentration and death camps throughout the war.

I have marked the Ease of Reading as 9.5. I'm not saying it was an easy read because of the topic. It was an emotive "real-life" subject which was difficult and one which needs not been forgotten, however the reason I have scored this highly is that the message in the book is clear throughout. Never Forget

All in all, an incredible book, horrific but beautifully truthful book and a genre I will absolutely continue to read. 

This book really puts life into perspective. Please remember to be kind to one another and to be safe.

Steph 💚

Review #22: A Riviera Retreat by Jennifer Bohnet

After my DNF book the other day, I really needed an easy book to read and unwind. I get very worked up if I can't finish a book, however, this book is absolutely what I needed. Here's what I thought.

Writing Style: 9/10
Storyline: 8.5/10
Ease of Reading: 10/10

Don't be fooled by my lower marks for the Storyline, this is purely because I would never have picked this book up, it's so far away from my usual reads. I'm so glad I've started to move away from the thriller/horror genre though, it has opened my eyes to some real hidden gems. 

There wasn't really any OMG moments, it was all beautifully predictable, and I mean that. It was beautiful. 

The setting was incredible, and I would love to visit somewhere like the villa the book describes. In lockdown, it really made me sad that I won't have a holiday abroad, but it suited the weather we've had in the North East of England at the moment. 

The characters were such that you rooted for them. I feel as though I could be friends with most of them, however I felt a sort of disconnect to Vicky. It was as though she didn't quite fit in, and was more guarded than the others. I'm not sure if this was meant to be the case, if it was, it worked perfectly. 

All in all a great book to read when I'd suffered an unfinished book, and if you need a book to whisk you away on holiday through the lockdown without having to travel, this is absolutely it. I will be making personal recommendations for this book to cheer some people up. 

Take care everyone,

Steph 💚