Tag: reread

Mini-Reviews: Sense, Mermaids, Demon

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Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

With the new movie coming out, I seized the opportunity to reread Sense and Sensibility, which apparently I last read way back in 2015! It’s hard to think of anything interesting or original to say about the book. Obviously it’s a masterpiece and I love it! Elinor is one of my favorite Austen heroines, and she’s definitely the one I most relate to. I love how she’s the “sensible” sister, but she’s also the one who ends up with the true love match, while romantic Marianne’s marriage is more pragmatic. Though it’s funny—Colonel Brandon’s backstory makes him a true romantic hero (doomed childhood love! Pining! A duel!), so perhaps he’s a better match for Marianne than initially appears. I really enjoyed Austen’s sharp humor, as always; the passage where Fanny Dashwood talks John out of giving his sisters any money, despite his deathbed promise to their father, is an all-time classic. And Lucy Steele is perfection as a villain. I feel like I’m rambling, but suffice it to say that I very much enjoyed this reread and am looking forward to seeing the new film.

C.S. Harris, Why Mermaids Sing

A young aristocrat, Dominic Stanton, is murdered in a particularly brutal way, his legs mutilated as though by a butcher. His death is eerily similar to that of Barclay Carmichael, who was found dead a few months earlier with his arms mutilated. At the request of local magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy, Sebastian St. Cyr is on the case. As Sebastian tries to discover what might have connected the two victims, who outwardly have little in common, he’s surprised that their fathers don’t seem to want him to investigate. And when more victims appear, he must race against time to find the connection between them and catch the killer. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, more for the setting and characters than for the mystery plots. The books are more thrillers than true mysteries, as they don’t offer readers a chance to play detective; rather, we follow behind Sebastian as he chases the various suspects and clues. I’m more interested in the series-long arcs, especially Sebastian’s familial and romantic relationships, which take some surprising turns in this book. Looking forward to continuing with book four!

Charlotte Stein, Dealing with a Desperate Demon

Sunshiny bookstore owner Nancy is both fearful of and fascinated by Jack Jackson, the town grump. But when she catches him looking at a book called How to Be the Ideal Human Boyfriend, she feels compelled to help him somehow. At first Jack resists her attempts to reach out, but soon he’s asking her for romantic advice, which turns into practice dating, which might even turn into real dating. But as the novel’s title implies, Jack is keeping some pretty big secrets about his identity and his reasons for seeking romance. I’ve now read a few of Charlotte Stein’s rom-coms, and this one is true to the formula: She loves a grumpy-sunshine pairing, a physically massive hero, and a connection between two people who feel like outsiders. I think the romance largely works, but the supernatural elements are a total afterthought. There’s no real world-building or sense of stakes, which is crazy to say when an eternity in Hell is on the table! Overall, I think the novel is a cute, cozy Halloween read, but it didn’t blow me away.

Mini-Reviews: Speak, Canticle, Ghosts

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McKelle George, Speak Easy, Speak Love

A young adult retelling of Much Ado About Nothing set in 1920s New York should be a terrible idea. At best, it should be fun but insubstantial; at worst, an utter disaster. So this novel really has no business being this good, but I loved it when I first read it in 2019 and was not disappointed upon rereading! The denizens of Hey Nonny Nonny, a speakeasy on Long Island, are characters after my own heart, particularly doctor-in-training Beatrice and aspiring writer Benedick, whose incessant bickering conceals very different feelings. There are multiple romances in this novel, and at least two of the three really work, depicting the awkward, tentative nature of first love, plus some really excellent yearning. The plot is a big strangely paced, with large saggy stretches of nothing, but I was happy simply to immerse myself in the book’s vivid setting. Admittedly, I’m biased because Much Ado is my favorite Shakespeare play, but I’m just so happy and relieved that this novel really is as good as I remember!

Walter M. Miller Jr., A Canticle for Leibowitz

Nuclear war has devastated Earth, leading to a new Dark Age and a widespread distrust of knowledge and learning. The Albertian Order of Blessed Leibowitz, a Catholic monastery in what was once the American Southwest, is one of the few places that still clings to the remnants of knowledge from the preapocalyptic “ancients.” But as humanity experiences a new renaissance and once again develops nuclear weapons, is the world doomed to repeat its mistakes? This is a weird, niche book that is definitely not for everyone, but if the premise of “post-apocalypse, but make it Catholic” appeals to you, you’ll probably enjoy it! I liked the world of the novel, especially spending time with the various inhabitants of the monastery throughout the centuries. As a Catholic myself, I felt like I was in on all the jokes and enjoyed dusting off my Latin (my foreign language all through high school…yes, I was a nerd). I wouldn’t recommend this book to a broad audience, but if the premise appeals to you, it’s definitely worth a read.

Sarah Addison Allen, Paper Ghosts

Hen Town, North Carolina, is the kind of place where an hour is a little bit longer than a normal hour, and everyone knows the rich Wester women are witches. In 1976, Willamena Wester is a high school senior whose life is planned: She’ll stay in Hen Town, marry the suitable man her grandmother picked for her, and become the unofficial queen of the town. But when Wills falls in love with another man, the ensuing tragedy affects not only her life, but the lives of her son and her granddaughter, Bailey. Is history doomed to repeat itself, or can Bailey break her family’s cycle of trauma? I’m a big Sarah Addison Allen fan, but this book didn’t resonate with me. I didn’t particularly like Wills or Bailey, nor did I sympathize with their decisions for most of the book. Allen’s novels usually have a warm core of female solidarity, and while that theme is present here, it’s a darker, more twisted version. I’ve finished her previous books feeling comforted, but this one just made me sad. Definitely glad I got it from the library instead of buying.

Mini-Reviews: Gods, Spell, Finger

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C.S. Harris, When Gods Die

A beautiful young woman is found dead in the arms of the Prince Regent, and Sebastian St. Cyr is called upon to investigate—and hopefully divert suspicion away from the prince. At first Sebastian wants nothing to do with the case, but he changes his mind when he sees the corpse wearing a rare and ancient necklace that once belonged to Sebastian’s mother—who was supposedly wearing it the day she died in a boating accident. How did the dead woman obtain the necklace, and was she involved in a conspiracy against the House of Hanover? This is a solid second installment of the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Once again his investigation takes him through the darkest, most sordid parts of London as he uncovers both personal and political motives for the murder. The book feels quite similar to the first in the series, which isn’t a bad thing, as I liked the first book a lot! But I will probably need to space out my reading of this series so that I don’t get bored with the formula. Still looking forward to book three, though!

Laura Wood, Under Your Spell

Clementine Moore is having a rough time; she’s recently become both single and unemployed. Her sister, who works for a music label, gets her a job as an assistant/housekeeper to rock star Theo Eliott, who’s having trouble writing his new album and needs supervision. But Clemmie has no interest in Theo or his world due to her rocky relationship with her father, also a famous musician. Nevertheless, she takes the job out of desperation—and is chagrined to discover that she finds Theo wildly attractive. Even worse, she actually likes him. But can romance blossom between two people from such different worlds? I really enjoyed this contemporary romance, which delivers the best-case scenario of the “dating a rock star” fantasy. Theo is dreamy and almost too good to be true, but a few genuine flaws save him from being too perfect. The book also made me laugh several times, and Clemmie’s narrative voice is a lot of fun. I’ve already read the sequel, Let’s Make a Scene, and liked it a lot also, so I will definitely keep an eye out for Laura Wood’s next book!

Agatha Christie, The Moving Finger

After being injured in a plane crash, Jerry Burton moves with his sister Joanna to the quiet village of Lymstock to recover. But instead of the sleepy, tranquil interlude they expect, they soon become embroiled in a “poison pen” mystery that results in suicide and murder. This is one of my favorite Agatha Christies, combining a solid mystery with excellent characterization and a perfect village setting. There’s also a bit of romance and a fair amount of social comedy, which I always enjoy! Earlier this year I discovered that my edition of this book, based on the original American edition, is shorter than the British version, which has several additional chapters! So of course I had to read the British version this time. I think most of the “extra” material is near the beginning; more time is spent on Jerry’s backstory and on introducing Lymstock. It was fun to reread a novel I enjoy while also in a sense reading it for the first time!

Mini-Reviews: Dukes, Paddington, Auburn

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Loretta Chase, Dukes Prefer Blondes

Beautiful Lady Clara Fairfax has been raised to do nothing beyond marrying a nobleman, but she’d rather be useful than ornamental. When her charitable work leads her to search for a missing boy who’s likely been absorbed into a London gang, she seeks out barrister Oliver Radford for help. Radford has a reputation for prosecuting gang leaders, fighting injustice—and being one of the rudest men in London. He has no time for Clara’s interference, yet he’s reluctantly intrigued by her determination. As the two work together, they fall in love, but will their very different social stations keep them apart? Every time I read a Loretta Chase novel, I’m surprised by just how good she is; this book was an absolute delight! I especially loved Oliver as a hero. He’s blunt, emotionally detached, and proud of his lack of charm, yet Clara utterly demolishes his defenses. Sure, the plot is silly and implausible, but I was having far too good a time to care! I really need to keep exploring Chase’s backlist, and I hope we’ll see more from her in the future!

Agatha Christie, 4.50 from Paddington

This novel opens on an exciting note, when elderly Elspeth McGillicuddy witnesses a murder in a train. She immediately reports the murder to a railway official, who thinks she imagined it but nevertheless informs the police. Yet the body isn’t discovered, either in the train or along the line. Luckily, Mrs. McGillicuddy’s good friend Jane Marple is on the case. Too old and frail to investigate herself, Miss Marple enlists the help of housekeeper extraordinaire Lucy Eylesbarrow, who hunts for the corpse while working at an estate that abuts the railway line. But can Lucy find the body and unmask the murderer before more people are killed? Much as I love Agatha Christie, I think this plot is a little weak; the murderer’s motive and plan are quite farfetched, and there’s no reason why that person should be the killer rather than any of the other suspects. I also think the characters aren’t particularly well drawn—except for Lucy, who is far too good for any of the men in this book! This is still an entertaining read, but not one of Christie’s best.

Sharon Shinn, Summers at Castle Auburn

As the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, Corie occupies an uncertain place in the world. For most of the year, she lives and works with her grandmother, a village herbalist and wise woman. But every summer, she visits the royal court at Castle Auburn, where her beloved half-sister is betrothed to the crown prince. At the start of the novel, 14-year-old Corie is infatuated with the dashing Prince Bryan and entranced by the beautiful aliora, fairylike creatures who serve in the palace. But as Corie grows up, she begins to recognize the problems and injustices around her, and she grows concerned for her sister’s—and the kingdom’s—welfare. But her quest to right those wrongs may cost her her own place at court. I’ve read this book a few times and always enjoyed it, and something different strikes me on each reread. Last time I saw the story primarily as a romance, but this time I focused more on Corie’s coming of age. Though she’s initially quite naive, she matures into an admirable heroine who’s determined to forge her own path. The novel is slow-paced and short on plot, but I enjoyed spending time again in Corie’s world.

Mini-Reviews: Call, Muslin, Desperate

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Cara Bastone, Call Me Maybe

Vera has just started her own business and is about to attend a local expo that will hopefully bring her a lot of new clients. But her website is crashing, and she desperately needs it to be functional by the expo. After waiting on hold for hours, she finally speaks to customer service rep Cal, who is surprisingly friendly and helpful. Their conversation soon moves beyond Vera’s website problems, and they find themselves sharing jokes and even personal details about their lives. In short, they’re flirting pretty hard, but each is unsure about how the other feels. Can one chance phone call lead to romance? I was utterly charmed by this short romance novel (my e-book edition is under 200 pages), which focuses almost entirely on conversations between Vera and Cal before they meet face to face. Both of them are realistic, likable characters, and they have great chemistry. Sure, the misunderstandings keeping them apart are a bit silly, and the stakes feel very low. But in a story of this length, I think that’s fine! My streak of loving every book I’ve read by Cara Bastone continues, and I’m excited to read the other two books in this series.

Georgette Heyer, Sprig Muslin

Sir Gareth Ludlow is an extremely eligible bachelor, but he’s shown no interest in marriage since his beautiful fiancée died seven years ago. Now he thinks it’s time to marry, however, so he decides to propose to his longtime friend Lady Hester Theale, a “spinster” in her late 20s. But en route to Hester’s home, he stumbles across a beautiful young woman in need of his help. Amanda has run away from home, and Gareth feels honor-bound to protect her and keep her out of trouble. Unfortunately, given Amanda’s fertile imagination and instinct for drama, that’s easier said than done! A Heyer reread is always a treat, and I like this book in particular because the plot contains a few surprises, including (arguably) Gareth’s eventual choice of bride. There’s a lot of humor in the book, mostly from the stories Amanda tells and her impetuous decision-making. I actually would have liked a bit less of that and a bit more of Gareth and his heroine together, but aside from that, I enjoyed revisiting this book.

Susanna Kearsley, A Desperate Fortune

In the present, autistic computer programmer Sara is hired to decode an 18th-century diary. She travels from London to the outskirts of Paris, where she stays with the diary’s owner and falls for a handsome Frenchman. Meanwhile, the diary’s writer, Mary Dundas, is the daughter and sister of Jacobites who have followed the exiled King James VIII into France. When her brother asks her to help protect a fugitive Jacobite Englishman, she doesn’t realize that she’ll be plunged into adventure, danger, and romance. I loved this novel the first time I read it, and this reread was extremely enjoyable as well. I prefer the historical story to the contemporary one, but both deal with unconventional women trying to find their place in the world. The author’s note reveals that a lot of care was taken with the historical research, and it definitely shows, but not in an obnoxious info-dump-y way. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction!

Mini-Reviews: Bloodstained, Famous, Bellwether

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James Anderson, The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy

This historical mystery novel has all the trappings of a Golden Age detective story: a country house party, hidden identities, political machinations, a secret passage, a famous jewel thief, a staged car accident, and multiple suspicious deaths. Based on the title, I was expecting the book to be humorous, but it isn’t particularly, though occasionally a character will toss off a witty line. Overall I think this is a great read for Golden Age mystery lovers. All the tropes are present in abundance (sometimes superabundance), yet the book still manages to subvert reader expectations in interesting ways. I don’t want to say too much more about the plot because it’s more fun to experience it as it unfolds. Suffice it to say that I liked this one quite a bit and am looking forward to the other two books in the Inspector Wilkins series (I have an omnibus edition that contains all three). Apparently they’re all set at the same country house, so I’m interested to see which characters will recur!

Mary Balogh, The Famous Heroine

The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Cora Downes would normally have no reason to mingle with London society’s upper crust. But when she (sort of) rescues from drowning a relative of the Duchess of Bridgwater, the duchess is so grateful that she decides to sponsor Cora for a Season and help her find a husband. The unconventional Cora is nervous and awkward in this new environment, so Lord Francis Kneller (a friend of the Bridgwater family) takes her under his wing. They soon become friends, but when Francis inadvertently “compromises” her, neither one expects the ensuing marriage to bring true love. This book was a reread for me, and I enjoyed revisiting these characters. Cora is a lovable klutz, and Francis is a kind hero with a sense of humor. Some aspects of the plot don’t quite work; for example, Cora’s mistaken assumption that Francis is gay, based on his colorful attire, persists for far too long. There are also plentiful references to the previous books in the series, Dark Angel and Lord Carew’s Bride, which I found slightly tiresome. But overall, I enjoyed my reread—Mary Balogh is reliably entertaining!

Connie Willis, Bellwether

Dr. Sandra Foster, a researcher at HiTek Corp., is studying the origin of fads, and it’s not going well. As she sorts through articles on hair bobbing and crossword puzzles and the Hula Hoop, she’s forced to deal with out-of-touch management, “sensitivity exercises,” and the world’s least competent assistant. As her world grows increasingly more illogical and frustrating, Sandra meets Dr. Bennett O’Reilly, a fellow HiTek scientist who seems strangely resistant to fads, if his terrible clothes are any indication. Could he somehow be the key to her research? I adore Connie Willis, especially her lighter and more comedic novels, of which this is one. It’s actually a bit stressful to read at times, because Sandra’s work frustrations are entirely too realistic! The satire of life in a corporate environment is spot-on, though, and I really liked the progression of the story and the romance. The book came out in 1996, so some aspects of it are dated now (no one researches anything on the computer), but overall I think it holds up quite well. Highly recommended if the premise interests you!

Mini-Reviews: New York, Unicorn, Daughter

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Kate Spencer, In a New York Minute

Franny’s day goes from bad to worse when, on her way home from being laid off, her dress gets caught in the subway doors and rips apart. A handsome stranger gives her his suit jacket so that she can cover up. And that would have been the end of the story, except that a bystander caught the whole thing on camera. Now Franny and the subway guy, Hayes, have been dubbed #SubwayQTs, and the local news is doing a story on their supposed romance. It’s not true, of course; but as Franny and Hayes continue to bump into each other, it feels like fate may be nudging them together after all. This was a pleasant enough rom-com that really wants to be described as “a love letter to New York City,” and maybe I’m just a grumpy old lady now, but that type of narrative does nothing for me. I wasn’t particularly invested in the romance, which didn’t have any obstacles beyond the characters’ general obtuseness. There were some cute moments, and I can see a version of this plot working as a movie, but overall there’s just nothing substantial about this book.

Katherine Arden, The Unicorn Hunters

Anne, duchess of Brittany, is facing a crisis. The king of France is pressing for her hand in marriage so that he can absorb the duchy into his own kingdom—and if she refuses, he’ll take it by force. Her only hope is to marry another powerful ruler who can help her fight the French, but in return, she’ll have to leave Brittany and give up her role as its leader. She plans to marry secretly in the forest of Brocéliande, organizing a unicorn hunt as a cover story. But Brocéliande is an uncanny place, on the boundary between the mortal world and the Lost Lands, and Anne soon learns she has more powerful enemies than France to contend with. I absolutely loved this book, which combines so many of my favorite things. Give me medieval Brittany, fantasy elements, and a romance, and I’m sold! Arden’s writing is vivid and magical, and Anne is a wonderfully drawn character based on a real historical person. I’ve loved every book by Arden I’ve read so far, but this one just may be my favorite. It will definitely be one of my top books of the year!

D.E. Stevenson, The Baker’s Daughter

Sue Pringle has lived in the small town of Beilford, Scotland, all her life. Her father is the baker, and her grandfather owns a prosperous shop. But she’s somewhat bored with her life and eager to try something new. The perfect opportunity arises when a painter from London, John Darnay, moves to town needing a housekeeper. Sue takes the job and soon finds her world expanding. She also develops strong feelings for Darnay, but his social station is far above hers, and he happens to be married already. I enjoy Stevenson’s quiet, romantic, character-driven books, and this one is no exception. I liked getting both Sue’s and Darnay’s perspectives throughout the novel, and the secondary characters are very well drawn. But readers should beware of some distasteful racism that is typical of the period. I don’t remember other Stevenson novels being this egregious, so if you haven’t read the author before, I wouldn’t recommend starting here. But as someone who likes Stevenson’s general vibe, I still found a lot to enjoy in this book.

Mini-Reviews: Trellised, Morning, Silent

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Fiona Hill, The Trellised Lane

Julia has been the lady of the house since her mother’s death, but now that her father has remarried, she no longer has that freedom and authority. Despite liking her new stepmother, Julia wants to regain her lost responsibilities and urges her brother, Fitz, to accompany her to London so that she can marry and leave home. She soon catches the eye of a French nobleman with a dubious past, but is herself attracted to a friend of her stepmother’s. Meanwhile, Fitz’s innocence is challenged by the new friends he meets in London. Last year I really enjoyed Fiona Hill’s The Country Gentleman and consequently bought an e-book collection of her novels. Unfortunately, this one didn’t really work for me; it just felt very unoriginal and paint-by-numbers. The stakes couldn’t be lower, and none of the characters are particularly well developed. Not a terrible book, just bland as an unsalted cracker.

Eva Ibbotson, The Morning Gift

Ruth Berger was born and raised in Vienna as the privileged daughter of a well-off professor. But in 1938, because of her Jewish heritage, Vienna is no longer safe. Her family emigrates to England, but due to a paperwork mix-up, she is left behind. Enter Quinton Somerville, a British professor who once studied with Ruth’s father and decides to help her get out of Austria. Unfortunately, the only way to do it is by marrying her. Quin and Ruth agree they’ll annul the marriage once they reach England, but of course fate has other ideas. Eva Ibbotson’s books are the ultimate comfort reads for me. They’re full of warmth and community, with luxurious descriptions of scenery and music and food. But they’re saved from being too sickly sweet by some moments of genuine gravity and heartbreak, such as the story of the Ziller quartet in this book. Work is stressful at the moment, so I needed a familiar comfort read, and this novel was the perfect choice!

C.S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet

Philologist Elwin Ransom is on a walking tour of England when he encounters an old schoolfellow, Devine, and a brilliant physicist, Dr. Weston. They’re working on a mysterious object that turns out to be a spaceship—and the hapless Ransom is taken on board by force. He learns that Devine and Weston are taking him to another planet, Malacandra, which is inhabited by sapient beings who requested Ransom for some ominous purpose. But when the three men land on Malacandra, Ransom soon learns that the planet and its inhabitants are nothing like he expected. This book was written in the ’30s, and it cleverly interrogates the tropes of science fiction that were popular at the time (what aliens would be like, what would be the experience of space travel). The plot is a bit slow-moving, with lots of descriptive language about the terrain and the various species Ransom meets. There are also some thinly veiled religious ideas, which is to be expected with Lewis. Overall, this is a pretty good space-travel tale, but it’s definitely more on the philosophical than the adventurous side.

Mini-Reviews: Regency, Eyes, Spellman

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Georgette Heyer, Regency Buck

Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to London to meet their guardian, Lord Worth, who they assume is a curmudgeonly old man. In fact, Worth is relatively young, a leader of fashionable society, and friends with Beau Brummell. His autocratic manner immediately offends strong-willed Judith, and their frequent arguments comprise the most dramatic parts of the book. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill Peregrine, but is the villain Worth or someone else? I love Heyer, but this is not one of my favorites by her, and now I remember why. It’s one of her earliest Regency romances, and it seems like she dumped all her research here. We get so much detail about Beau Brummell, the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, prizefighting, and so on that there’s no space for the romance. The hero treats Judith badly, and we don’t get enough insight into his feelings or motives. If you want a detailed window into the Regency era, this novel is great, but it’s not very satisfying as a romance.

Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Janie Crawford is a young black woman living in Florida in the early 20th century. Her grandmother, who was born in slavery, has a specific vision for Janie’s life: She should marry a well-to-do man and let him take care of her, so that she never has to work or struggle. But Janie has an adventurous spirit and wants to see more of the world. Some of her choices don’t work out—she meets men who want to stifle and control her, and she endures poverty and great suffering. But she also finds true love and spiritual freedom despite her circumstances. This is a beautifully written novel with a compelling protagonist; Janie felt like a real person to me, and in the end I was convinced that she’d be okay no matter what happened next. I also liked the portrayal of Janie’s community, which felt vivid and true to life. The characters all use a specific dialect, which means you have to pay close attention while reading, but I think that’s a feature rather than a bug. Overall, I can see why this book is regarded as a classic and would definitely recommend it.

Lisa Lutz, The Spellman Files

The Spellmans are a loving but dysfunctional family of private investigators. They tail each other around town, record each other’s private conversations, and break into each other’s locked rooms. Twenty-eight-year-old Izzy, who narrates this novel, is the screwup of the Spellman children and wants to leave the family business. But her parents make her take on one last case before they’ll allow her to quit, and Izzy’s questionable investigative tactics cause even more family drama. This is a really clever book with a fun premise—I enjoyed Izzy’s deadpan narrative voice and the various hijinks she and her family get into. At the same time, it all requires a huge suspension of disbelief, and you can’t think too hard about the reality of this family or you’ll realize how truly tragic and dysfunctional it is. This is the first book in a series, but I’m not sure I’ll be continuing…I did enjoy it, but I don’t think I need more.

Mini-Reviews: Heiress, Sailor, Uprooted

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Eva Ibbotson, The Reluctant Heiress

Guy Farne is a foundling who has overcome his lowly origins and is now a multimillionaire. He’s just purchased Pfaffenstein, Austria’s most famous castle, and is determined to present it to his beloved, Nerine, as a wedding gift. But complications ensue when Guy meets Tessa, a lowly assistant at an opera company who turns out also to be the princess of Pfaffenstein. They are drawn to each other right away, but Guy’s engagement and Tessa’s quasi-betrothal to a German prince hinder their romance. I adore Eva Ibbotson’s books, which are the literary equivalent of a hug. This one has gorgeous descriptions of the Austrian countryside, vivid secondary characters with endearing quirks, loving depictions of the pleasures of music, and a heartwarming romance at its center. It’s very sweet and sentimental, perhaps too much so for some readers, but for me Ibbotson’s novels are the ultimate comfort reads.

Lillian Marek, Home Is the Sailor

Captain Will Dormer’s naval career came to an abrupt end when he lost a leg and an eye in battle. Fortunately, he’s just inherited an estate and a title – but he has no idea what he’s supposed to do in this new role. What he needs is a wife, someone practical to help him manage his household and smooth his way socially. So when he encounters Maria Garland, the daughter of his former captain who has fallen on hard times, he proposes a marriage of convenience. As Will and Maria slowly grow accustomed to their new lives and fall in love, they are also threatened by someone who apparently wants them dead. I liked this closed-door historical romance, although it’s not particularly focused on Will and Maria’s relationship. Rather, most of the plot involves them learning what it takes to run a large estate (interesting), as well as pursuing justice against the villains (a bit boring, as the villains’ identities and motives are never in doubt). Overall, an enjoyable read, and I wouldn’t mind reading more by this author.

Naomi Novik, Uprooted

Agnieszka lives in a poor village that’s overshadowed by the Wood, which is full of evil, dangerous magic. The villagers therefore rely on a mysterious wizard called the Dragon for protection, though they pay a terrible price for it: Every ten years, the Dragon takes a village girl and keeps her in his tower as a servant. Now it’s time for the next girl to be chosen, and everyone expects it to be Agnieszka’s beautiful and accomplished best friend, Kasia. But shockingly, the Dragon chooses Agnieszka instead. As she adapts to her new life in the Dragon’s tower, she slowly discovers her own magical gifts and realizes she can help defeat the Wood. I fell in love with this book the first time I read it and loved it again this time around! It’s an immersive fantasy with superb world-building and a wonderful heroine, reminiscent of Robin McKinley at her best. Honestly, I can’t be objective about this book; it feels like it was written especially for me. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy and fairy tales!