The Witches of Vardø by Anya Bergman - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th Jan 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Mixed feelings 

1660s Norway 

Anna Rhodius is a physician and a mistress of the King of Denmark in her younger days. She is shipped to Vardø in disgrace, though her heart yearns for her previous lifestyle, and makes a deal that could affect many lives, including hers. 

Zigri has lost her son and husband to the sea. She begins an affair with a merchant and is accused of witchcraft and sent to Vardø for a trial. 

Ingeborg, Zigri’s sixteen-year-old daughter, is determined to save her mother. This is easier said than done in times when women could be arrested, tortured, and killed with little or no evidence. 

Maren, the daughter of Liren Sand, the most powerful witch in Denmark, helps Ingeborg. However, can they achieve their goals, or will the women and children face the same brutal fate as others accused of witchcraft? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Anna (addressing King Frederick in the second person) and the third-person POV of Ingeborg. 

My Thoughts: 

Books about witch trials in different parts of Europe share similar stories of abuse, patriarchy, misogyny, and religious violence against women. This one is no different. The setting is atmospheric and adds to the intensity of the theme. 

The core parts are done well, presenting how women ended up being accused as witches and burned to death. The cruelty of the royalty also comes across clearly in the narrative. The mistrust and hatred for the indigenous community and their sufferings because of it are spot on. The bits about the Sami community are also well-presented, and I’d have preferred more of it. 

The folktales added in between are wonderful. They should have distracted me from the story, but I found them more interesting (since the story tends to drag in many places). 

The plot requires strong characters to enhance the reader’s emotions. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen here. Giving Anna a first-person POV doesn’t seem like a good idea. She sounds whiny, delusional, self-righteous, pretentious, and judgmental. Her addressing the king in the second person is the most annoying thing in the book. I skimmed through her chapters in the second half. 

Ingeborg starts out as an intriguing character but soon becomes a mess. While I understand her conditioning to love her mother (no matter what), it still doesn’t make her arc any better. Maren shows great promise but ends up stereotypical. Zigri is an example of why some people should not have kids. Only Kristen makes me feel sad for her. She’s a victim in almost every sense. 

A book about witches should have strong magic realism or be utterly realistic. This haphazard blend of both doesn’t help the narrative. It almost feels like the ‘magical’ bits are a later addition. 

If not for the violence, I’d classify this as a YA novel. The dialogues are made it seem like one. One advantage of it is that I could speed-read and not miss anything (0.5 stars extra for this). The emotions just don’t hit the mark, making it easy to stay detached and rush ahead instead of lingering and feeling for the characters. 

Despite the dark events and deaths, the book has happy endings for a couple of characters. I did like that, though one of them felt like stretching things a little too much (this comes from a HEA lover). 

However, the author’s note at the end is insightful. The glossary is detailed (I didn’t expect one, so that’s a plus), and there’s a list of recommended reads. I love that the author listed the names of women who lost their lives in the witch trials. They need to be acknowledged. 

To summarize, The Witches of Vardø deals with an important theme and presents yet another story of witch trials we should never forget. However, it could have been shorter, better, and more impactful. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK, and Manilla Press, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheWitchesofVardo

***

TW: Violence, rape, torture, suicide, death. 

The Path to the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles - Book Review

Series: Heaven’s Cove #5 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 18th May 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Small Town, Romance 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Enjoyable and heartwarming 

Alyssa is a former nurse, now living in Heaven’s Cove as a tour guide and part-time worker in a mini supermarket. She rents the caravan in Madga’s backyard and is doing her best to stay away from her past. 

Magda is a seventy-plus woman with a successful ice cream parlor and a love for baking. She has been in love with Stan, her best friend, for years but hasn’t yet gathered the courage to share her feelings. 

Jack is back in Heaven’s Cove to take a break and care for his father, Stan. Jack’s impending divorce and other troubles make him appear broody and rude.  

How will things change when Jack and Alyssa cross paths, and Alyssa finds a map of an old secret connected with Jack’s family history? 

The story comes from the limited third-person POV of Alyssa, Jack, and Magda. 

Don’t rely on the Goodreads blurb. It’s not 100% accurate. 

My Thoughts: 

This book is the fifth in the series and reads very well as a standalone. A few recurring characters appear for a brief while (Rosie and Liam finally get married in this book). 

The use of three POVs (in the third person) makes it easy to understand their backstories and views without any unnecessary jumps. There’s a prologue from the past, and it connects with the central plot. 

The book has sort of enemies to lovers and grumpy vs. sunshine tropes, though the focus is not entirely on romance. It’s one of the subplots and adds an additional flavor to the story. 

Jack and Alyssa are easy to understand, though Alyssa’s secret doesn’t feel as complex as it sounds. I did feel a little disappointed here, especially since there isn’t much exploration of the secret or her feeling about it after the reveal. Comparatively, Jack’s track is more defined and clear. 

However, Alyssa’s desire to dig deep and find out more about the smugglers and Charity’s death shows how much she needs others to be happy. She is a sweet person, ready to help and support, but respects boundaries.  

The writing flows well and sustains a good pace throughout. I could finish the entire book in a couple of hours. It blends a bit of mystery, family drama, friendships, love, etc., to create a wholesome package.  

I also love that not everyone gets a perfect happy ever after but still has something to live for and cherish. The ending is bittersweet yet heartwarming. The touch of reality works well in this one. Quite a few types of love are explored seamlessly, each unique yet similar to the other.  

To summarize, The Path to the Last House Before the Sea is a beautiful addition to the series and a highly satisfying read. Pick it up when you want something relaxing, entertaining, and touching. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ThePathtotheLastHouseBeforetheSea

Mother Sea by Lorraine Wilson - Book Review

Publication Date: 18th May 2023

Genre: Literary Fiction 

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Great premise; not happy with the execution 

Sisi de Mathilde lives on a remote island in the Indian Ocean. Climate change is affecting their lives in a million little ways. The yields are less, seas are inching closer, and babies die soon after birth. 

Outsiders, scientists, and authorities want the islanders to relocate; to leave their homes and the only life they’ve known to become refugees in other lands. The community thinks otherwise and is determined to rely on their sacred ways to protect themselves. 

Sisi is a scientist but also an islander. Widowed and pregnant, she needs to decide the best thing to safeguard her unborn child. 

Kit arrives on the island with his uncle and aunt, a member of the authorities, but with heartbreak and grief of his own. Can Kit somehow help Sisi, or will it be the other way around? 

The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Sisi and Kit. 

My Thoughts: 

The premise and the cover are interesting, so I knew I had to read this. The setting is beautifully described with a liberal dose of the dangers the islanders face every day. It makes the whole thing more real, instead of limiting the island’s role to being something ‘exotic’. 

The story comes in almost alternative POVs of Sisi and Kit. While Sisi’s chapters are easy enough to read, Kit’s are as messy as his mind (the poor guy is struggling with just about everything). The writing reflects his thought process, a great idea in theory, but hard to read at a stretch for a reader. 

The book has a non-binary rep seamlessly woven into the plot. I like how this is done. There are quite a few non-binary characters, though Nuru gets the maximum space. I like Nuru’s initial arc, them being Sacare (a wise guide of sorts), but by the end, their character became predictable. 

The book pretty much hinges on the science vs. faith dilemma. I see the merits and issues on both sides and understand the deep-rooted fear of Indigenous people in allowing outsiders to have more control over their lives (our ancestors have been there and done that). I also know the advantages of science and technology. 

However, the writing also reminded me of a video I saw recently. We pretty much know the possible ending of the book. There’s only one way it will lead despite all the drama, and that’s what happens here too. It did lead to disappointment, especially when the open ending leaves a lot of threads unanswered. Yeah, life’s like that, which is why I read books. 

The book is tagged as lit fiction and is character-driven. But unfortunately, I couldn’t connect to either character. I understand Kit a lot more and feel sad for him. There are too many stories similar to his. Sisi has potential, but we have a screen between us and couldn’t reach other to each other no matter what. 

The community aspect is very well done and quite realistic. Grief, choices, decisions- it’s not easy. While colonization is not explicit, wherever we see on the island is a result of it. We know we cannot escape the trauma of it even after generations (again, living proof). 

I think the book couldn’t establish Nuru’s faith the way it should. We see it only through Sisi’s eyes, which is not the right approach since she is already struggling. Nuru’s faith is wonderful and dangerous for them and others. It should have been the driving force of the conflict. Yet, we get a third-party version of it. I don’t feel the certainty, the fear, the risk, the conflict, the pain… nothing. Observing something and being that are two different things, which becomes apparent as Nuru ends up as a mere tool to drive home someone’s point than assert themselves.  

The execution, the little-too-convoluted writing, and the ending didn’t help. Most importantly, it took me a while to figure out why the plot feels wrong. This story reinforces the colonizer’s perspective of indigenous people. It’s white saviorism all over, albeit from a scientist’s POV (instead of East India Company, we have environmentalists and conservationists trying to ‘help’ indigenous people because they sure can’t do it on their own). 

The book shows why we ‘need’ people like Sisi and Kat to show the right path because Nuru and Mothers are intent on surrendering in the name of faith. It re-establishes that the indigenous people rely on blind faith and going back to the old ways means doing nothing but believing (Mother Sea) wants sacrifices and essentially acting like ‘heathens’.

To summarize, Mother Sea has its merits and comes with some good writing, but it didn’t make me go wow or introspect the concepts as I wanted to. Please check the content warnings before you pick the book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Fairlight Books, for the eARC. 

#MotherSea #NetGalley

***

TW: Suicide attempts, child death 

***

Going back to the old ways doesn’t mean one turns a fanatic. It means digging deeper into ancient knowledge and using today’s insights to combine the best of both worlds. It means to understand the ancestors’ wisdom without looking at it through the colonial lens. It’s a complex process of un-learning and learning and re-learning. 

The Stories Grandma Forgot by Nadine Aisha Jassat - Book Review

Publication Date: 25th May 2023

Genre: Middle Grade, Poetry 

4.5 Stars 

One liner: Heartwarming!  

Nyla Elachi, a twelve-year-old girl, loves her Grandma Farida the most. Her father passed away when she was four, or so she’s been told. Grandma Farida has Alzheimer’s, and Nyla takes care of her during the evenings while her mom works back-to-back shifts to keep the family going.

One day, Grandma Farida tells Nyla that she saw her son in the supermarket. Nyla is not sure, but she loves her grandma the most. When the lady asks Nyla to bring her son home, Nyle decides it’s time to turn a detective and trace her history. 

Can the grandmother and granddaughter find what they are looking for? 

The story comes in poetic verse from Nyla’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is a beautiful and heartwarming book! I love the characterization, be it Grandma Farida, Nyla, Ruth (Nyla’s mom), Jess, or Ray. 

The book is written in poetic verse, which was a little hard to read until I remembered my friend’s advice (Rosh, thank you) to read such books the same way I’d read prose. So I stopped bothering about the rhythm and paid more attention to the plot. It really helped. 

The story deals with different issues like racism, bullying, parental loss, family and relationships, friendships, Alzheimer’s, etc. None of it goes overboard or preachy (kids might feel a little overwhelmed when Nyla is bullied). This isn’t a book about stories but about people. 

The plot is well done (though it needs suspended belief in some places). I guessed half of it right and was surprised by the rest. A majority of it is realistic enough, though as MG fiction, the book does simplify a few issues towards the end. 

Nyla does take a few risks but doesn’t come across as reckless. In fact, her vulnerability is highlighted, showing that what she did wasn’t exactly a smart thing. However, kids should realize that such acts of bravery are risky and can lead to scary situations. 

The presentation is quite intriguing. I like the use of concrete poetic styles to emphasize emotions. However, I’m not sure how it’ll work on Kindle or smartphone. I found it easier to read the book on my desktop. 

There are no illustrations in the ARC. I expected at least a couple of them, so that’s one major disappointment. With a cover like that, I hope the final copy has a few illustrations to enhance the story. 

The book has happy and sad moments. Jess is a delightful character, and her dialogues are too good. She’s far from perfect, which makes her even more endearing. 

I love the use of Elachi (cardamom) and Haldi (turmeric) as last names. Such a wonderful idea! 

The aspects of being a mixed-race child, the sense of uncertainty stemming from the lack of belongingness, etc., are effectively portrayed. 

To summarize, The Stories Grandma Forgot is a heartwarming book for kiddos and adults. It’s not without a few flaws but will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and peace. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group, and Orion Children's Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheStoriesGrandmaForgot 

The Heiress Bride by Madeline Hunter - Book Review

Series: A Duke’s Heiress #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 23rd May 2023

Genre: Historical Romance 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining and easy to read 

*****

Nicholas Radnor, the new Duke of Hollinburgh, is doing his best to handle the responsibilities of his position. Dealing with annoying aunts, managing a draining estate, and trying to find out more about his uncle’s sudden death are keeping him occupied. 

Iris Barrington arrives at the last hour, demanding that he fulfill his uncle’s promise and find a rare book that could be hidden somewhere in the estate’s libraries. However, Iris is also the third heir to the dead duke and now is eligible to claim a substantial portion of funds. Iris is shocked by the developments. After all, she is a woman of trade, a rare book dealer traveling across the Continent, and an independent woman. 

Nicholas and his family are suspicious of Iris, and she sure has secrets to keep. Yet, as the two come closer, someone is determined to do anything to keep Iris away from her new inheritance. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Nicholas and Iris. 

My Thoughts: 

Historical romances have their own charm. Lovely dresses, balls, elaborate dinners, house parties, headstrong heroines, and handsome heroes. Of course, we also get a good dose of the snobbish ton as a reflection on the times. 

Though this is the third book in the trilogy (?), it works perfectly as a standalone. The couples from the previous two books have an active role in this one and add to the entertainment value. 

The writing is easy to read and keeps things simple. It’s not overtly historical but not modern, either. That works for me well. 

The lead characters, Nicholas and Iris, are strong and independent. I wish their past is explored a little more, but we get enough to understand their actions and decisions. 

There’s a bit of mystery as well (a couple of attacks) that is solved at the end (one is left open-ended and makes me wonder if there will be another book in the series). However, this is predominantly a romance with some steam in the second half (2.5-ish). 

The vagaries of the ton are well presented, along with a desire for extravagance without any thought to practicality. Aunt Agnes and Dolores are the typical relatives who decide a person’s worth based on their birth and yearly income rather than their character. 

The book has quite a few scenes and discussions about books, though most of it is in terms of the book’s value. After all, the heroine is a rare book dealer. 

However, my biggest question is- why is there no epilogue! Why? Historical romances feel so incomplete with an epilogue. I need to know about Iris’s wedding dress, Minerva’s child, Miss Paget, and a few other itsy bits details that neatly tie up the end. Sigh! 

There’s a thirty-pound tabby, King Arthur. However, our heroine isn’t a cat lover. She is a no-nonsense woman with a business-oriented mind, which makes her worry more about cat hair on precious books (valid point!). But then, when did cats bother about trivial issues like that? 

To summarize, The Heiress Bride is an entertaining historical romance with likable main characters and well-etched supporting characters. Carry it to the beach or pick it up on a lazy afternoon.  

Thank you, NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Zebra, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheHeiressBride

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer - Book Review

Publication Date: 30th May 2023 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Beautiful but with a few teeny flaws 

Jack Masterson, the best-selling children’s author of the Clock Island series, quit writing under mysterious circumstances. After years of silence and speculation, his announcement stirs the pot. He comes up with a one-of-a-kind game where four contestants participate in a series of challenges to win the only copy of the latest manuscript. 

Lucy Hart is a 26-year-old kindergarten teacher with too many troubles. Growing up as an unloved and unwanted child makes her determined to give the seven-year-old Christopher a permanent loving home as a foster mother. However, her financial position is messy at its best. Lucy learned the hard way that wishes don’t come true… but maybe they will.

Lucy is one of the four participants who go to Clock Island for a week to compete for the prize. She knows it’s her only chance to make things happen and adopt Christopher. However, she has to deal with dangerous book collectors, other participants, and of course, Hugo Resse, the brooding painter and illustrator of the Clock Island books. 

What does Jack Masterson, the Mastermind, have in mind this time? 

The story comes from the third-person POV of Lucy and Hugo. 

My Thoughts: 

I went into the book with high expectations after reading fabulous reviews from friends. And… luckily, I enjoyed most of the book and even got teary-eyed at a couple of places. That’s satisfying, isn’t it?

The pacing is slow in the beginning but gains momentum after a couple of chapters. Then it sustains almost throughout. There are a few scenes from the book written by Jack Masterson, which align with the MC’s character arc. I loved how this is done. 

Lucy, Hugo, and Christopher are pretty much who they are, while Jack has a bit of mystery (but is actually a teddy bear). This suits the writing, which is just as straightforward. 

While we get Lucy and Hugo’s POVs, I wish at least one chapter had Jack’s POV. It would have enhanced the story. An issue with Lucy’s POV is that she sounds like an unrealistic overemotional girl in some scenes. She knows her reality, but the impression we get contradicts this. I put it down to a character flaw as she realizes things towards the end. After all, do we project our vulnerabilities on others in one way or another? 

The book deals with plenty of themes and some of them in passing. There could be triggers, too- parental neglect, child abuse, alcoholism, running away, bullying, etc. None of it is graphic or overwhelming. 

However, the emotional quotient gets too high at the end. It feels like the author tried to create a balance between reality and HEA by adding more elements to the already-heavy themes. Also, certain revelations feel more like an easy way out to deal with a complex issue. Since we don’t get the other party’s perspective, I didn’t really connect with the whole thing.  

The romance isn’t really romance in this one. It is squeaky clean and chaste. I understand the reason for most of it and appreciate the move to keep the focus on the core plot. However, I wouldn’t have minded a bit of it at the end. 

The other contenders are also good people with issues of their own. I like this approach, though it dims the intensity of the game. But the intent of the game goes beyond winning. It’s the Mastermind’s plan, after all! 

Three things I love about the book are the role of fiction in people’s lives, our wishes can get fulfilled in different ways, and the reaffirmation that money indeed buys happiness. 

As a writer who prefers reading lighthearted fiction with HEA (I didn’t say I write it too!), I know how much hope a happy ending in a book can give a reader. We see that here multiple times, and it makes me so so happy! 

To summarize, The Wishing Game is a beautiful story about hope, loss, longing for a family, love, and the power of fiction. A book isn’t just a bunch of pages. It’s a support system that keeps the tiny flame of hope alive despite the adversities. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheWishingGame

***

P.S.: I think it helped that I didn’t read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (yes, I know!) and could be free of its influence (and avoid comparisons).