The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy - Book Review

Publication Date: 08th April 2025 

Genre: General Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: This was good! 

Denny Voss lives in rural Minnesota with his mother, Nana-Jo, and his blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. As someone with developmental issues, he makes a living clearing roadkill with his cousin, Agnes. 

However, Denny is arrested on the charge of murdering the local mayoral candidate. As he awaits his trial, Dr. Herald, the therapist, tries to find out more about Denny’s life. Talking about his past brings out many secrets. Denny seems to have some tough decisions to make for his future! 

The story comes in Denny’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I was debating on this one when I saw Shelley’s review and decided to grab a copy. Thanks for that! Note that the writing style may not be for everyone. 

This is a heavier read, though it has many lovely moments and random things that’ll make you smile or chuckle. Still, the themes are pretty intense. 

The chapter heads act as little pointers about what’s to come. I wouldn’t call them spoilers as such but you can avoid them if you are too particular about things. 

Though the book is from Denny’s POV, we can see how stressful it can be for his mother and cousin to deal with him at times. His mother, especially deserves a lot of appreciation for trying to balance protecting him and making him self-reliant as much as possible. 

While I could empathize with Denny’s situation each time he got arrested, I could also see it from the other side. When you deal with criminals and twisted minds, it becomes hard to differentiate, that too without knowing any background information. It’s a catch-22 situation. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t! That said, a few of them could learn to be more sensible. 

The side characters are interesting. They are mixed – some good, some not-so-good, and some bad. Not everyone understands or likes Denny and not everyone dislikes him. So, we get a pretty realistic picture of his life in the village. 

I don’t want to say much but two events in the last quarter didn’t appeal to me. Even though one of them happened in real life, it didn’t have to be the same in fiction. After all, fiction is a way to change reality, albeit fictionally (check TW for more)! I don’t believe in ‘family is family’, so the other one didn’t work either. 

There’s repetition and things can go around in circles since Denny likes to take time but you’ll get used to it after the initial 20% or so. However, if you don’t, the book may not appeal to you as much. Quite a bit hinges on the writing style even though the characters are well-crafted. 

Lastly, don’t skip the author’s note. It is very detailed (just how I like them) and the author talks about various elements she used in the book. 

To summarize, The Sideways Life of Denny Voss is a poignant novel about what it means to be a person with developmental issues and how one’s community plays a role in making or breaking things. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheSidewaysLifeOfDennyVoss

***

TW: Prejudice, a bit of violence, death of a dog (which wasn’t necessary), grooming, mentions of infidelity, mentions of alcoholism 

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith - Book Review

Series: Wicked Games #2

Publication Date: 08th April 2025

Genre: Dark Romantasy 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Dark and entertaining 

Genevieve Grimm has been adrift since her sister became the head of her family after their mother’s death. So, when she got an invitation to attend an event in a grand palace in Italy, she jumped at the chance.

Rowin Silver doesn’t want complications or outsiders in his home. No point in risking more lives in a game where none can win. He shuts the door on Genevieve’s face only to realize she snuck in without his notice. 

Now, the two form an alliance to compete as lovers, hoping to increase their chances of survival. But with Rowin keeping many secrets, Genevieve wonders about her chances. 

The story comes in Genevieve’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The book works as a standalone, but there are references to the previous one and a spoiler. This cannot be helped. If you are particular about spoilers, you may want to read that first. 

While Phantasma was no masterpiece, it was a fluffy read with a good dose of spice; something to grab when you want to stay entertained (and not use your brain cells). This is pretty much the same. Both books are huge (464 pages) and paced on the slower side, so pick them up accordingly. 

Genevieve is Ophelia’s (heroine of Phantasma) young sister, someone who spends her time fluttering around like a butterfly to avoid her feelings of abandonment. In this, she thinks an entry into Enchantra would help her find others like her, but little did she know she’d be fighting for her life. She is quirky, curious (worse than a cat), mouthy, and messy. She is entertaining too, what with her penchant for getting into trouble often. 

Rowin is your dark, grumpy, brooding, alpha guy with a soft heart, which is revealed over time. He has tattoos and piercings (some of those must have really, really hurt), which add to the vibe. Also, those shadows he controls! 

Given the genre, we have to accept that things will get gruesome and bloody in The Hunt, as well as result in some spicy scenes. I felt this was a bit less extensive in spice than the previous one, which is a good thing. Not that there isn’t attraction or the other stuff, but on a slightly smaller scale, say 3.5 to 4. 

The setting is great, of course. It’s creepy, atmospheric, and suffocating. What with the devil and other dangers, this is not a house you’d want to visit. Oh, those mirrors! Be warned if you have eisoptrophobia or spectrophobia. 

The side characters are the siblings (and fellow participants) in the Hunt. I felt they were done well. Each of them has a definite personality and is easy to track. Though we don’t get a lot of detail about everyone, we know enough to form a picture. 

The climax felt relatively bland (compared to book one). It seemed a bit too easy. Still, after reading 400+ pages by then, I was ready for the ending. 

There’s quite a bit of gore, but it’s written in a matter-of-fact manner. I didn’t feel put off by it (nor did it frighten me in the least). However, this may vary based on your reading preferences. Maybe gore level 3.5 on the scale of 5? 

The ending is HFN and partly open, providing a lead to the next book. Though we don’t have the details yet, there has to be book three. Someone needs to answer the remaining questions! 

To summarize, Enchantra is a dark horror romance with devils, immortals, hunting games, and a dose of spice. The best way to enjoy the book is to not think much. Forget logic and go where it takes you! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Second Sky/ Forever, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #Enchantra

The Seven O'Clock Club by Amelia Ireland - Book Review

Publication Date: 15th Apr 2025

Genre: General Fiction, Contemporary 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: A good debut! Introspective 

Genevieve is a psychologist who wants to try a new kind of group therapy for grief. She picks four candidates – Victoria (52), Freya (31), Callum (29), and Mischa (20), people dealing with different types of grief and personal battles. 

They are to meet once a week in Genevieve’s home. Of course, all of them are skeptical about this, but give it a try (some more grudgingly than others). However, as they start to speak and get to one another, things change. Maybe, they might have a chance to finally move on from whatever is crushing their souls. 

One day, they find out the reason they were chosen for this therapy, and it tests their newly formed friendships like no other. What happens next? 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Genevieve, Freya, Victoria, Mischa, and Callum. 

My Thoughts: 

The book is divided into multiple parts, like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, etc. 

After a short intro via Genevieve’s report written after the therapy ended, we go back to how it began. The four main characters get a chapter each as introductions. 

Luckily, the character POVs are distinct and have specific narrative styles. Callum’s are filled with F-bombs. Victoria is snarky and snobbish. Freya is detached. Mischa is lost and overwhelmed. This makes it easy to track whose POV we are reading. 

The initial setup takes time, so the first 30% is slow. We get sneak peeks into their lives, keeping the interest levels high. Emotions also run high, so it is not really a light-hearted book. Since the therapy is for grief, there are quite a few triggers as well. One of the characters is into substance abuse. 

As each character reveals their past and the key incident, we can see their pain and anguish. They also start to bond with each other, which makes things easy and complicated. 

There are a few hints about the twist that would come. I did guess some of it and wondered if that’s what it would be. It was but with something extra. However, this is a deal breaker. You’ll either like it or hate it. If you like it, you’ll enjoy the book more. 

I did like how things proceeded despite the repetition of actions and dialogues where they go back and forth about a few things.  

One thing that didn’t really work for me was the romance part. It’s not organic, and the explanation didn’t help. A toned-down version wouldn’t suit the plot, but the way it is doesn’t work either. Maybe a combined backstory might have helped. I’m not sure! 

The ending is quite good too. It ties up the loose ends without moving away from the main plot. This does result in an open-ish end, which is just right here. 

To summarize, The Seven O'Clock Club is a good debut read dealing with different types of grief, found family, and learning to move on. I will be interested in reading the author’s future books. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Black & White Publishing (Bonnier Books UK), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheSevenOClockClub

Our Dear Miss H. Is on the Case by Violet Marsh - Book Review

Series: (untitled) #2 

Publication Date: 25th March 2025

Genre: Historical Romance

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining with some important themes

1750s 

Georgina Harrington loves archeology and history but her gender prevents her talents from being acknowledged. She uses her Cousin Percy’s name to submit her works and sell the antiques. Percy is happy with the deal. However, he disappears with her latest find, a possibly high-valued helmet. Georgina realizes he might have been kidnapped or is in danger. 

Alexander Lovett is always ready for an adventure and prefers to live a happy life due to his traumatic childhood. His father’s desire to fix his clubfoot and the bullies of the ton made him determined to live his life the way he wanted. Alexander is more than ready to help Georgina find Percy (who happens to be his best friend). However, he has to keep his distance from her as she is on his father’s list of chosen brides for him, and the last thing Alexander wants is to do what his father wants. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Georgina and Alexander. 

My Thoughts: 

While the book works as a standalone, it would be more enjoyable if you read the previous one (Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man) since the characters from that one appear quite a bit here. Also, we meet the MMC in the first book and can understand him better. 

The story starts a few hours before the previous book ends but comes from the MMC’s perspective. While I forget most details, I remember Pan the parrot and Banshee the monkey. Here, we have two more additions – a dog and a chicken. It’s a riot with the animals taking over and well doing what they like! 

The MMC has a clubfoot (that has been further damaged in ‘repair attempts’). The book presents how physical disability was viewed with disdain and repulsion, especially in the ton where one is supposed to be perfect (only the mask, of course). His childhood trauma, the toxic relationship with his parents, and the coping mechanisms are handled well but without overwhelming.

The FMC is an archeologist and a historian trying hard to retain control over her life and finances. We get to see the patriarchy, gender bias, and other issues associated with the theme. She is a bit gruff and quick to judge at times but it can be forgiven. It fits with her backstory. 

Despite the heavy themes, the book is a romance, so there are quite a few scenes for it. Though, I was surprised that the steam is less than 2. It’s not as steamy as I thought it would be. Not complaining! 

There’s a mystery element too which does get decent focus. However, the subplot doesn’t as such take itself seriously, so readers shouldn’t either. It expands into something a bit dangerous but farcical as well. 

The book ends with a happy epilogue and a lead for the next one. I’ll be sure to grab that too! 

To summarize, Our Dear Miss H. Is on the Case is a lighthearted romance with a touch of mystery but deals with heavy topics like disability and gender discrimination. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #OurDearMissHIsOnTheCase

Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall by Sharon Booth - Book Review

Series: Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1 

Publication Date: 28th March 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Paranormal 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Liked the ghosts more!

When single mother Callie Chase visits Rowan Vale on a school trip, the last thing she expects is to see ghosts. Turns out, the elderly Sir Lawrence Davenport, the village head can also see them and has been their keeper for years. He even offers to sell the place to Callie for a teeny sum so that she could be his successor. 

After much hesitation, Callie agrees. However, becoming the new owner of a village filled with humans and ghosts is easier said than done! Can she handle the responsibilities? Will the ghosts accept her? 

The story comes in (mostly) Callie’s first-person POV and the third-person POV of another character. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the first book in the series, so it takes some time to set the stage and introduce us to various characters, living and dead. The cast is pretty large, so you may want to make notes. 

The ghosts are pretty quirky and have distinct personalities. In fact, I liked them more than some of our living folk! Florrie is a little monkey, though you can’t help but fall in love with her. 

While it took me a lot of time to warm up to Callie, I loved Immi pretty soon (not at the beginning but when she gets a dialogue). I tried my best to empathize with the FMC but it wasn’t easy. Though she has good intentions, her approach is a bit all over the place. 

Immi, on the other hand, is a delight to read. I so wished she would have more space in the book. She sometimes acts like a tween but is a really lovely girl. Mia is another character I like a lot. 

Bordie is the male main lead though I didn’t see him as anything other than a trope – the handsome brooding guy with a soft heart. Good that romance isn’t central to the plot and I read this for the ghosts. Otherwise, the rating would have tanked. 

The pacing is uneven. The first half is spent on the setting but quite a few things happen in the second half. This doesn’t leave space for the romance to develop organically. Since this is any way to be a series, maybe we could have limited this one to attraction and ended it in a slightly different manner. 

To summarize, Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall has an interesting premise and even more interesting ghosts in a beautiful village. It deals with important themes like self-esteem, found family, friendships, etc. I’m curious to see what the next book will deal with! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #KindredSpiritsatHarlingHall

Method of Revenge by Cara Devlin - Book Review

Series: Spencer & Reid Mysteries #2

Publication Date: 29th March 2025

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced and gripping 

Leo (Leonara) is used to dead bodies and sees them in her uncle’s morgue. However, she ends up as a witness when a woman dies at a popular nightclub and follows a suspicious hooded figure around the corner. 

After the previous case, Detective Inspector Jasper kept his distance from Leo. He could do without the mixed emotions she inspired in him. However, the current case and Leo’s involvement make it hard. 

As they try to find more clues, Leo and Jasper should be careful about not walking into a trap. But can they see it before it’s too late? 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

While the book works as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous one for the overarching plot. There is enough background information if you haven’t read the first book.

It has been a few weeks since the previous case, and the main characters are living their lives (with teeny new developments). The book starts with the murder, so we are plunged into the plot right away. 

The narration deftly balances pace, intrigue, and emotion. The push-pull attraction between the two is stronger, though they are focused on the case and the dead bodies that have to be examined. 

The mystery is interesting. I like how it tackles the problem of using harmful chemicals like arsenic in making wallpapers and their deadly side effects. There have been a few books on this. Here, it is used for the mystery track, so we don’t get a lot of detail but can understand the extent of damage it caused and how the reason was suppressed. 

We also get some details about their pasts. I kinda guessed the big reveal in book one, but oh boy, it still didn’t prepare me for the cliffhanger. Argh… I hate waiting. At least, it’ll be only 2-3 months since the next book is scheduled for June. I can distract myself with other books. 

The dark and bleak setting of Victorian London is tangible without slowing down the pace or distracting us from the central plot. I’ve read a few books with this setting and found that I enjoy them a lot. It’s gritty and ruthless, but with touches of compassion and love. 

NGL, I’m invested in the slow-burn love track and can’t wait for the next book. The conflict is real, so it’s a huge hurdle to cross. Can they do it? They have to! 

To summarize, Method of Revenge is a solid second book in the series with intrigue, danger, and a cliffhanger (can’t get over this, lol). 

Thank you, author and Book Sirens, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone - Book Review

Publication Date: 04th March 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming (trigger for grief) 

Lenny’s life has been a mess since she lost her bestie, Lou, to cancer. Unable to do anything much, she accepts temporary babysitting jobs to make a living. Her latest is for an exhausted single mom, Resse, to babysit her daughter, Ainsley. Lenny likes it enough even if she finds Resse’s brother, Miles, a kind of jerk. 

Miles sees Lenny’s grief for what it is and offers her a deal. He will help her check off the 'live again' list if she helps him connect with his sister and her daughter. Lenny is not sure anything can help her fill the gap left by Lou but she is willing to try. Who knows, this could teach her something important! 

The story comes in Lenny’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I debated for a long time on this one. While I liked the author’s previous book, I still wasn’t sure until I read the later reviews. 

While I haven’t experienced grief like the FMC’s (#touchwood), I did lose someone very special and their memories still make me teary-eyed. My life didn’t stop but there’s this sense of emptiness in one part. Yeah, you learn to live with it. 

Despite the heaviness of the theme, the book has many lighthearted moments. The voice is quite quirky (maybe a bit too many similes but most of them are funny, so no complaints) and entertaining. 

Though Lenny is the narrator, the book does belong to the MMC. I love the dedication too! He is the central force holding the plot together. I love his characterization. Also, I noticed that like in the previous book, Miles is also a tall and well-built guy who is not fully comfortable or confident of his ‘appeal’. I like this. 

Another important aspect is the kind of relationship the MMC wants to have with the FMC. He encourages her to make friends with others and build a circle. It is quite refreshing to see friends as friends without complicating it with unwanted attractions or triangles. The focus remains steadily on the core theme. 

That’s the reason the shift to romance is seamless. No unwanted drama after the initial panic (which makes sense). No angst, miscommunication, or jealousy. No third-act breakup as well (yay!). It just flows and grows organically. 

The book drags in the middle and the pacing goes down. I think it would have helped if the MMC’s grief had been discussed at this point. It might have created a shift in narrative and sustained the interest instead of making it seem like we were going nowhere. 

Though the book is from the FMC’s POV and her grief gets the spotlight, it’s only fair to let the MMC talk about his loved ones. There are a few scenes, but frankly, I’d have liked it better if there were more. At least, we could have had a scene where Miles clears that room with Lenny to support him. 

The side characters are quite interesting. I love that little kid, Ainsley. She’s a rockstar in the making! 

This is not the book to choose if you want dramatic love declarations or intense romance. Since grief is already intense, the author chose a soothing romance. It is not flashy like neon lights. It is soft, gentle, and comforting like your favorite Tee. In fact, we get a clear indication when the MMC talks about what love means to him. I truly appreciate this approach. 

To summarize, Promise Me Sunshine is a slightly lengthy but heartwarming novel about grief, learning to heal, and living again. I wouldn’t have minded an epilogue! 

Thank you, Madison Dettlinger, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group (Dial Press Trade Paperback), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #PromiseMeSunshine

The Secret Detective Agency by Helena Dixon - Book Review

Series: The Secret Detective Agency #1

Publication Date: 27th March 2025 

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3 Stars 

One Liner: Decent mystery; the characters need work 

1941

Jane Treen is at work in the war office in London when the news of another missing agent reaches her. Soon, she finds out a dead woman was fished out from a lake in Devon, where she shouldn’t have been. 

Arthur Cilento is the code-breaker working for war offices and is back at his uncle’s house (now his) in Devon. Soon after he discovers a body, Miss Jane arrives in the village with her one-eyed orange cat, Marmaduke. 

Jane and Arthur don’t particularly like each other but they have to work together to find the killer. Agents being killed during war is hardly a small matter! 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Jane and Arthur. 

My Thoughts: 

Can you see that cutie cat on the cover? Yeah, that’s how this book ended up on my list. Of course, I love historical cozy mysteries, so that was another factor. 

This book is set during WWII and uses the backdrop well since both main characters work for the government. However, the mystery is kept at the cozy level with the setting primarily being a village. 

Arthur is the brainy guy who likes patterns and codes (ya, that’s why I like him more). He also has sensitive health, which is different from the usually robust male leads we see. This is a welcome development and was handled well, though I wish he would set better boundaries. 

While I liked Jane’s introduction, it didn’t take long to be irritated by her. The constant smoking was annoying and so was her attitude. I know that the ‘tough feminist woman’ trope is trending but don’t overdo it. Having a possibly tragic backstory doesn’t mean the FMC has to be so callous and self-centered. Initially, I thought she wasn’t aware of the MMC’s health condition. Turns out she knew. She just didn’t care. Since this is the first book, I’m hoping these elements are a character flaw and the FMC will become a bit human. 

While I try to bear with characters who smoke, I cannot help but roll my eyes at the repeated mention of it. This book has ‘cigarette(s) mentioned 73 times. Yes! That’s 50 times more than what I think is enough for the character development. The way Jane smoked, I’m doubtful she’ll live long enough for the series to continue. Naturally, the MMC condition was mentioned as many times. If she smoked less, both of them would breathe easily!   

The pacing is moderate, neither slow nor fast (however, do note the book ends at 88%, at least the ARC does). The setting is well done. We get just enough descriptions to create the atmosphere and give us an idea of the place. This works to keep the mystery at the forefront. 

Marmaduke is a fluffy cat who I thought would have an active role in the book. What use is a cat if all he does is lick his paws? 

Despite my evident dislike for the FMC, I did see her merit. She has a good brain and is dedicated to her job. She has emotions, which means her arc can be adjusted quickly. The mystery is also good and establishes the foundation for the next books. 

To summarize, The Secret Detective Agency is a decent start to a new series, though it would have been even better if there were fewer cigarettes. I have the second book, so let’s see how it goes. Hoping it’ll be better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheSecretDetectiveAgency

The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles - Book Review

Series: Heaven’s Cove #8 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th March 2025 

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Fiction 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A bit repetitive but nice 

Heartbroken and sad after her divorce, forty-six-year-old Emma moves to Heaven’s Cove to make her dream of opening a pre-loved dress store come true. Someone leaves a bag full of lovely clothes outside her new shop, and Emma finds the most stunning wedding gown inside it. 

Leo and his father Robert own the shop next door, a bespoke suit store. Their grumpiness doesn’t make Emma a fan nor do they seem to like her. However, Robert is shocked to see the wedding gown but doesn’t want to talk about it. Soon, Emma and Leo try to find the truth. However, learning the truth comes at a price. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Emma, Leo, and Robert. 

My Thoughts: 

Though this is the eighth book in the series, it works as a standalone. You will meet some characters from the previous one, mostly Rosie, who owns the Driftwood House, and Maise, the teenage brat. 

The book is women’s fiction rather than romance since the focus is on finding the woman who owns the dress and the growth of the FMC’s arc. Initially, there is quite a bit of repetition about the wedding dress, the past, the secret, etc. 

As well as repetition in the FMC thinking about her dreams and her ex-husband’s attitude toward it. This is understandable to a point since her divorce is still fresh and she has pretty much lost the confidence to stand up for herself. 

Getting Leo and Robert’s POVs balance the story even if the latter is hard to like. He sounds annoying and snobbish but manages to make an impact. I like that there are no drastic changes in him by the end. There is some development that feels believable. Though Leo is grumpy when introduced, he shows his true side quickly. He also has a sad past, the poor guy. 

The characters seem to act their ages, so despite a bit of tension towards the end, they are mostly decent in handling what life throws at them, albeit after a short tantrum. 

To summarize, The Wife at the Last House Before the Sea is a heartwarming story about choices, self-worth, second chances, and family. It is always great to revisit the beautiful Heaven’s Cove and its cliffs (never mind the erratic weather). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheWifeAtTheLastHouseBeforeTheSea

When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain - Book Review

Publication Date: 04th March 2025

Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery 

3.2 Stars 

One Liner: Great atmosphere but... repetitive  

Lucifer’s Creek, Arkansas 

A seventeen-year-old Dovie comes from a long line of women who could hear the dead bones sing. She doesn’t believe in magic until she begins to hear the songs. In the last three years, many people have gone missing from the trials in the Ozark Mountains. 

Some think it’s the Ozark howler snatching people, though Dovie doesn’t agree. She doesn’t listen when her best friend Lo says he is haunted by shadows. Her only focus is on leading the local sheriff to the dead bones. However, Lo knows the shadows belong to the dead people, and they want justice. Can Dovie and Lo find the killer before more deaths occur? 

The story comes in Dovie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with a bang. We see Dovie hearing the ‘song of the bones’ and follow her. Right away, we also see the superstition and bias against ‘witches’ though even the police seem to wait for the bones to sing to her instead of actually doing their job. 

Dovie is your typical seventeen-year-old, meaning she thinks she knows the best, her emotions are intenseeeee, she is dramatic, and well… you get the gist. Despite the repetition, it wasn’t too bad being in her head. Though I initially sympathized with her, the constant ‘I don’t believe in magic’ got boring. After the initial quarter, I could increase my reading pace.That made the book quite enjoyable. 

I admit I liked Lo a lot more, though we don’t get a lot about him. There are only a few things the FMC has to say about him and those tend to go on a loop. The other guy is… I don’t know. He’s just there. 

The atmosphere is the biggest strength of the book. It is amazing! I could feel the dark forest, the stinky Lucifer Creek, the humidity, the weight of uncertainty and fear, and the presence of the howler. Still, I wish we got a wee bit more of the supernatural element. The setting is ripe for a proper horror mystery. 

Coming to the mystery, it is okay. Rather strange that the most important question doesn’t even occur to the FMC until someone points it out. Or maybe it aligns with her teen personality where she is the center of the universe. Anyhoo! 

The reveal is rather underwhelming. The topic is great. No doubts there. There’s even some foreshadowing but the focus is on the sub-mystery. The main one needs a bit more detailing and an extra touch of darkness to drive home the point. 

However, I did like the execution of Brother T’s role. It is quite stereotypical what with the Christian brother intent on converting ‘witches’ and ‘hill people’ but given how extensively such events occurred (and occur) around the world, I don’t mind it being shown in books. That said, he gets a lot more limelight than necessary. Maybe he was used as a smoke screen but not really needed. 

I would have rated this higher if not for the supposed ‘love triangle’ that had no place in the book. It is nothing more than exotification on one side and silly curiosity on the other. Imagine being surrounded by death and you prioritize kissing someone. How romantic (not)! Remove this attraction/ complication from the plot and nothing changes. My rating would have been higher. 

There’s an epilogue which I do like. It ties up the loose ends. Since mine is an ARC, there wasn’t an author’s note. I’d have liked to know about the forest and its local lore. 

To summarize, When the Bones Sing has a great premise and starts well but meanders into an average YA mystery with drama, romance, and a touch of supernatural. 

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #WhenTheBonesSing

Late-Blooming Cherries: Haiku Poetry from India by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, Rimi Nath - Book Review

Publication Date: 17th July 2024

Genre: Poetry

4.5 Stars!

One Liner: So beautiful!

As the title suggests, the book is a collection of heart-touching Haiku and Senryu poems by poets from across India.

Despite being a poet, I don’t read contemporary poetry books often. However, when I saw this one, I knew I had to try it. A Haiku is a three-line poem with a fixed syllable count (17). It is a traditional Japanese poetry form with a seasonal reference and a cutting word (usually in the second line). However, a simplified version involves only the syllable count – 5-7-5. Similarly, a Senryu is very much a Haiku except for the theme. It deals with human emotions, albeit using dark humor.

This book is a compilation of both types of poems, offering us a good variety of themes.

I remember the first time I wrote a Haiku. It was incorrect, lol. I counted words instead of syllables. Then, I figured it out (with help, of course). Luckily, I also found a free online Haiku syllable counter tool for verification. I still use the same tool for all syllable-related poems.  

Coming to the contents, the book has poems by 58 poets. As mentioned in the book, some poets have contributed five, while some have twenty pieces. We get the poet’s brief bio and their poems. This goes on until the end.

It starts with a foreword, an introduction (by the curator), and a detailed note about Haiku poems. These are informative and useful, especially if you don’t know about Haiku and still want to read the book.

In the introduction, the curator talks about the title and the story behind it. I love it when we get a sneak peek into the backend process. If you want a hint, google yae zakura. Furthermore, learning a bit about the use of the Haiku form in Indian poetry (English and vernacular) was exciting. I didn’t realize we had shows and books dedicated to it! Still, this poetry form hasn’t gotten much exposure.

In the note, I learned about the concept of Zen Buddhism behind Haiku’s simplicity. Don’t skip the initial pages if you read this book. The poems are important; sure. But the background information is equally important. That’s how you can fully enjoy the poems that follow. Think about it. We are told Haiku is not about philosophy but about being in the present. If you miss reading this, it will impact how you perceive the poems. (Sometimes the curtains are blue because it’s the only color left in the store.)

Though I loved many, I can’t mention them all here! Sharing only a couple of lines that stayed with me. Note that not all poems follow the conventional 5-7-5 format. Some use the shorter version of 3-5-3 syllables.

*

mulberry silk –

cocooned in the fragrance

of grandma

*

amavasya (a new moon night)

my scars eclipsed

for a night

*

two flowers –

a hand

takes away one

*

I have to mention the book’s design. It’s a cute little hardbound book with a pastel cover and a contrasting spine. What I loved was those little cherry branches from the corner of each page. So cute, right?

How can it be that I review a Haiku book and not write at least one of my own?

In my hands at last –

Little late-blooming cherries

Emotions brimming

To summarize, Late-Blooming Cherries is a heart-touching and poignant collection of Haiku poems from diverse poets. Some simple, some pleasant, some poignant, and some heart-breaking; but all expressed in a handful of words!

Thank you, Blogchatter and HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

A huge shout out to Nandini T from HarperCollins India. I was approved for the book sometime last year, but due to some logistics glitch, I didn’t receive it. When I remembered about it, I sent an email to the publisher explaining the issue. Nandini replied and offered to send a new copy, which reached me in three days. Thank you!

Buy the hardcover of Late-Blooming Cherries: Haiku Poetry from India.

 

Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna - Book Review

Series: (not yet mentioned) 

Publication Date: 06th March 2025

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Love the setting… but the book ends on a cliffhanger! 

Eleven-year-old Vanya lives with her parents above their bookshop. As a British Indian with ADHD and an ability to converse with books, Vanya knows she cannot fit in at school or anywhere else. 

However, when her family is attacked by a monster, Vanya finds out she has special powers like her parents. She is sent to Auramere, a magical academy for training kids like her. But with The Wild Hunt on the prowl and mounting danger, Vanya has to find the master and stop the monsters before they destroy everything she holds dear. 

The story comes in Vanya’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I’ve read the author’s adult fiction, but this is my first MG book by her. 

Though the MC is a British Indian, her Indian identity is limited to skin color since she was born and brought up in Norwich. This plays an interesting role in her character arc (those one-liners are funny). On a side note, the illustrations make her look very much Indian (which I love). 

Vanya’s (Lavanya is a lovely name!) voice is quite authentic and a combination of sass, vulnerability, wonder, fear, curiosity, and recklessness. Yeah, she is stubborn too but it is necessary. Her ADHD is presented well alongside the insecurities it creates. All in all, we have a great narrator who can make us laugh and roll our eyes in the same paragraph. Her hair… my god! The long and thick braid reminded me of mine when I was the same age. Now? Don’t even ask! I’m grateful to have some hair left on my head. 

The author blends various folklore narratives and uses mythical creatures from different cultures. The more knowledge you have about these, the greater your enjoyment. I enjoyed this salad bowl since I knew many of them (including the ones from Hindu Puranas). 

The setting of Auramere is terrific. It has the potential to sustain a series (at least a trilogy). Heck, I hoped it would be a series until I realized (too late) that it is one. Moreover, the book ends on a cliffhanger! It would have been nice to know this in advance. I prefer starting a book with the right expectations. Wonder why there’s no mention of the series on Amazon, Goodreads, or NetGalley? 

The pacing is slow in the first 35% but picks up momentum and sustains it afterward. This works to establish the plot and the characters. The sprinkling of B&W pencil illustrations adds a nice visual touch. The illustrations are wonderful. Apart from Vanya’s hair, my favorite is that of Reya. It was just wow! 

The side characters are cool – diverse and inclusive. Some stand out more than others (not uncommon). The parents and adults do have a role though limited in some instances. Given the genre, you can expect kids to get into trouble by rebelling or doing things that put them in harm’s way. 

I love the nicknames Vanya’s dad uses. He rarely repeats the same thing! At one point, he calls her 'little Aardvark' and my desi brain read it as adrak (ginger), lol. Not the same at all! 

To summarize, Vanya and the Wild Hunt is an exciting and adventurous story with elaborate world-building and interesting characters. What with the cliffhanger, I can’t wait for the next installment and hope to get the ARC whenever it is available! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #VanyaAndTheWildHunt

***

Oh, the flowers on Nilgris that bloom once every twelve years are called Neelakurinji. 

A Comprehensive Guide to Indian Scriptures by Sunita Pant Bansal - Book Review

Publication Date: 21st Dec 2024 

Genre: Nonfiction, Hindu/ Religion 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: A good beginner's guide 

As one of the oldest religions in the world, Hinduism has countless scriptures, notes, studies, philosophies, and frameworks. We have Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Ithihasas, Shastras, etc., each dealing with diverse topics, themes, stories, guidelines, and much more. There is no single standardized rule book we are supposed to follow. So, what do you do if you want to know about Hinduism? Where do you start? 

A tricky question indeed! 

This short book attempts to present a comprehensive overview of Hindu scriptures without going into extensive detail. It aims to sort and categorize the content while briefly explaining what they mean. 

Let’s be honest. This is no small feat. Kudos to the author for attempting such a complex task.  

The book starts with a short author’s note and an introduction. Both more or less say the same, though the author’s note touches upon her experience in the field. 

Though the author mentions tentative dates, she emphasizes that those are not definite. I too won’t talk about the dates unless necessary. For example, she says Mahabharata was about 5000 years ago, which puts it around 3000 BCE. This doesn’t align with the (1700-1850 BCE) dates proposed by Jijith Nadumuri Ravi (a scientist and a researcher), who used multiple parameters to arrive at a more realistic time frame. Instead of getting into a debate about this, I will focus on the actual content. 

Right at the beginning, the author says Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) is not just a religion but a way of life. Many of you may have heard this statement. While it is true, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t give others a right to say Hinduism is not a religion. 

The author starts with Vedas, which are divided into four parts that align with the four stages of life – brahmacharya (student), grihastya (householder), vanaprastha (forest life, renouncing materialistic pleasures), and sanyasa (renouncing everything). 

The author also highlights character-based varna, the role of a guru, and numerous Upanishads that explain yoga. Giving it exotic names and calling yourself a yogi doesn’t make you one. What’s being taught today is not yoga. 

I like we get the significance of three lines of ash applied to the forehead (upper arms and wrists) and the context behind using the sacred ash (vibhuti) as bottu. Typically in our households, when kids cry or get cranky and refuse to settle down, an elder applies vibhuti to their forehead with a small prayer (it can even be a request to your favorite god to clear the negative energies around the child). And yeah, it works. Little ones do settle down and start to feel better. 

In the Puranas, the author provides an overview of what they are and a summary of each Puranam. For example, Garuda Puranam deals with death, last rites, and the concepts of the afterlife. Usually, when someone in the family dies, they play/ recite Garuda Puranam during the eleven-day mourning period. The Bhagavatha Purana is all about Vishnu and his ten avatars with a major focus on Krishna avatar (his childhood, etc.). 

Then, there are Vendangas, Upa Vedas, Vendata Sutras, Smritis/ Dharma Shastras, Agamas, etc. These include detailed instructions and frameworks about science, math, fine arts, behavioral science, language, magic, sports, law, warfare, medicine, gemology, geography, astrology, astronomy, architecture, sculpture, cooking, animal husbandry, farming, meteorology, transportation, etc. 

The Agamas are broadly divided into three – Vaishnava, Shaiva, and Shakta. Depending on which sampradaya you belong to, you refer to the relevant texts in Vedas, Upa Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, etc. 

Despite the extensive nature of the texts, quite a few themes repeat – Brahaman, the importance of correct pronunciation of mantra, the union of divine masculine and divine feminine as the core of the universe, and how the five elements of nature are integral to everything and can be found everywhere. Most importantly, even when the texts seem like they contradict each other, they actually don’t. The ideas co-exist and complement each other. That’s why even atheism comes under the same umbrella (not the distorted ego-centric version but the actual concept).  

Needless to say, this is not a book you read and forget on your bookshelf. It works as a great reference or beginner’s guide. It’s useful to check which Veda or Smriti talks about the topic you want to learn so that you can go and find the full-length materials. 

To summarize, A Comprehensive Guide to Indian Scriptures is indeed a well-structured, compact, and reliable guide to getting an idea about Hindu scriptures. This can be your starting point. 

My thanks to the publisher Readomania for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions. 

A Sky Full of Stars by Fay Keenan - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 18th March 2025

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/FullOfStars

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211081952-a-sky-full-of-stars

Genre: Contemporary Romance

3.7 Stars

One Liner: A bit slow but nice

Book Blurb:

Charlotte James prefers having her head in the stars to having her feet on the ground.

Moving around for her job as an astronomical archivist gives Charlotte plenty of opportunity to avoid putting down roots. When she accepts a post in the idyllic Somerset village of Lower Brambleton to archive an old observatory before its demolition, all that is on her mind is a chance to preserve the treasures of this remarkable place and another summer without having to settle down.

Tristan Ashcombe is managing the development of Observatory Field and as far as he’s concerned, the sooner the observatory is razed to the ground the better. The building holds complicated memories for him and his family, memories he’s ready to put behind him.

But as Charlotte’s work begins to unravel mysteries from a complex past, she realizes that there’s more to Tristan and Lower Brambleton than first impressions would suggest. Will Charlotte discover more than she bargained for, will she manage to avoid losing her heart in the process or is her fate already written in the stars?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Charlotte (more %) and Tristan’s third-person POVs.

The story started slow and had the same pace almost throughout. However, I did like the descriptions of the place so it wasn’t boring. Locals might find it excessive but I like it when I can visualize a new setting.

The FMC’s career and her approach to it are well-presented. I like that she tries to balance between documenting and digitizing the past but not getting too attached to it.

Comet, the cocker spaniel is adorable! Cute dogs are always a plus in books. There are cute kids too, though we don’t meet them much.

The MMC is a grump with a golden heart and past trauma. It doesn’t take long for him to show his softer side.

However, the romance between the couple doesn’t feel organic. It’s too fast, with not enough chemistry to create the impact it should. Maybe they felt it but I couldn’t see it. Also, this should have been a slow burn.

The sort of mystery about the past had my attention coz it seemed like it had better potential than the love track. Do note that the mystery is not in the thriller sense but in the family drama vibe.

While there is a third-act breakup, it makes sense here. The message that it’s not our responsibility to ‘heal others’ but they should make an effort for themselves is spot on.

We get an epilogue too, which gives us a nice HEA. Another aspect I like is how development is not always damaging. Here, it creates the required infrastructure and housing without damaging the surroundings. It’s all about finding the right balance.

To summarize, A Sky Full of Stars is an entertaining story though the romance could have been better. The family dynamics are well done, though!

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Fay Keenan

Fay Keenan was born in Surrey and raised in Hampshire, before finally settling in the West Country. When Fay is not chasing her children around or writing, she teaches English at a local secondary school. She lives with her husband of fourteen years, two daughters, a cat, two chickens, and a Weimaraner called Bertie in a village in Somerset, which may or may not have provided the inspiration for Little Somerby.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @faykeenanauthor

Twitter: @faykeenan

Instagram: @FayKeenanAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/FayKeenanNews

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fay-keenan

***

This has been a stop on the #ASkyFullOfStars blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources). Thanks for stopping by!

The Warbler by Sarah Beth Durst - Book Review

Publication Date: 11th Feb 2025

Genre: Magic Realism, Drama 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: An engaging read despite the flaws 

Elisa cannot stay in one place for longer than ten months. If she does, she’ll turn into a tree. It’s a curse that made her mother and her travel all over the US, taking new identities and leaving without a backward glance. 

After yet another move, Elisa is tired. She has been trying to break the curse but the first step is to find out more about her family. When she makes an impulsive decision to stay in Greensborough for the next ten months, Elisa is hopeful yet hesitant. After all, this small town in Massachusetts is a place where people cannot leave! 

As Elisa stays back and might be turning into a tree, she desperately needs to uncover the secrets of the past and break free of the curse. 

The story comes in Elisa’s first-person POV and third-person POVs of Rose and Lori. 

My Thoughts: 

Did you think I could resist a premise like that? No chance! 

Well, the beginning is strong but then we get into a sort of uncertainty where the FMC seems to be repetitive. The chapters from the past helped a lot by providing backstories and preventing the current track from dragging (it still did). 

The writing is pretty good even if the narration tends to go on and on at times. I didn’t need it to be that lyrical but okay. I was interested to know more, so it’s not too bad. Another round of editing would have sorted the issue and removed the repetition (especially about those kohl-rimmed eyes). 

I think the issue is that the reader knows a few things before the FMC and has to wait for her to catch up. This works in some plotlines. Here, I don’t think it fully helped. When the reader wants Elisa to catch up fast and it doesn’t happen, we are bound to be a bit irritated. 

Magic realism is an integral part of the storyline but I admit to being disappointed in this aspect. There’s a good atmosphere but the surreal part could have been stronger and a bit more prominent. Another scene with the three blue-haired ladies would have also helped. 

The side characters, though not fully developed, are interesting and add their share of intrigue and drama to the plot. I do wish the men were a little more developed to match the women, but this is quite common in this genre (women’s fiction). 

Since there is no romance as such, we have only one main lead, the FMC. This keeps the story within the required frame instead of adding unwanted tangents. That said, there are love and relationships and some of them play important roles. The focus is not on ‘lovey-dovey romance’. 

The book deals with many themes but the central one is choice. It shows various facets of choice and how giving someone a choice should not result in disregarding their choice. The book also deals with mother-daughter relationships, female friendships, expectations and acceptance. 

I guessed a good portion of the mystery at 45%. However, the author managed to give it a few twists in the last quarter. These align with the plotline and fit neatly, even if we don’t get detailed explanations for every question. 

There’s an epilogue of sorts, and I’d have liked it to be longer. Still, I can see why it ended at that point. It works for the book’s vibe. 

To summarize, The Warbler is a thoughtful read about choices, freedom, and mother-daughter relationships with a touch of magical realism. It has its flaws but it is still an engaging book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheWarbler 

The Red Fiend by Ranjit More - Book Review

Series: #1 (Cliffhanger) 

Publication Date: 08th Dec 2024

Genre: Hindu Mytho Fantasy 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting! A decent debut with a cliffhanger 

Drumila, the king of daityas, wants nothing more than to kill the Creator to avenge his mother’s death. He needs to find a way to breach the wall protecting svarga to gain reach the Creator. However, Drumila should first deal with the attacks by Nagas. 

Arundathi, the daughter of the Creator, is chosen for a mission to weaken Drumila, which would lead to his demise. She is ready for her mission despite what she has to do to achieve it. However, when she gets to know her target, Arundathi is surprised. When there’s another attack on the kingdom by the Nagas, will she stand by him or use it to fulfill her mission? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Shukracharya, Drumila, Arundathi/ Nandini, Ramishka, Havi, 

My Thoughts: 

Well, this has been my year so far for reading Indic fiction (#touchwood and hoping it continues). When the author contacted me for a review, I was a bit hesitant but curious. Indie Indic authors need support, so once I confirmed the book wouldn’t have anti-Hindu content, I was happy to read it. 

The book is fairly big (446 pages including the multi-page glossary at the end) and has a slow start. This makes sense since we are introduced to the setting and the characters. However, it’s far from boring. We have a short battle scene right in the beginning. There’s intrigue, danger, and drama! 

The heroine’s entry takes a while. She enters in the second part once the MMC’s story is fully established. The shift to her setting presents a good contract (and comparison) between the regions of the daityas and devas. Yet, we see similar underlying emotions and feelings. 

There’s much opulence with mentions of lavish gold, gemstones, and riches that can your head swim. Watching our pauranic movies has prepared me for all this, so it was easy to imagine the descriptions. 

A sudden shift to the earthly locations, especially the modern-day world, was unexpected. It pulled me out of the story for a while but I decided to go with the flow. The setting changed from full fantasy to a sort of urban fantasy a few times. I was prepared for it, so the subsequent shifts were seamless. 

While I liked the mentions of the delicious food, the word ‘chai-tea’ caught unawares. I mean, it’s the last thing I expected in a book by an Indian author. Also, I’m not sure why ‘u’ was used in place of ‘a’ in words like Maya and kanya. It sounds a bit off, TBH. 

The characterization is quite good. You can create a checklist of tropes as well – forbidden love, a sort of grumpy vs. sunshine, brooding alpha male who is gentle with his lady love, and so on! 

Though things are tense, I ended up chuckling at unexpected moments. This random sprinkling of humor makes the book more enjoyable. The writing is decent, though I feel an experienced editor or a woman editor would have made a difference. While physical attraction is a big part of the plot, the descriptions of the FMC are borderline comical (I can’t help but laugh and cringe at the mention of melon-like breasts). In short, you can tell this has been written by a man. At least the steamy scenes are not too descriptive. 

The romance is obviously insta attraction because it is the core of the plot. The FMC’s mission is to weaken the MMC through excessive lovemaking. Interestingly, this is a known concept in Hinduism. In Mahabharata, Vichitrariya was said to have died due to the same reason (but alas, without either of his wives conceiving). Bhyrappa used it to present a pattern in Parva (retelling of Mahabharata). 

By choosing to present the story from the daityas POVs, the author does a good job of creating the difference between good daityas and the unruly ones and providing a voice to those who often get clubbed together. Since we get the FMC and MMC’s POVs, we see both their sides and how they come to understand each other. 

Puranic war scenes have always been a favorite what with those powerful astras and the twangs of the bows. This book too details the scenes well. I love the mention of the various astras and how they work. These are easily the best parts of the book. 

However, the book ends on a cliffhanger. Yeah, something I figured out a bit too late. Hopefully, the sequel is in the works (I asked the author about it). 

Due to the large cast, I suggest adding a list of characters (and their roles) at the beginning. It would be easier to track them and refer them when necessary. 

To summarize, The Red Fiend is an entertaining debut novel presenting the conflict between daityas, devas, and nagas with a good rose of romance. Despite the flaws, the book would make an interesting read for those into this genre (desi readers are the target audience). 

My thanks to the author for a copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.