What happens when an amazing story is torn apart by the author in the name of style over substance? Lavie Tidhar self-sabotages his latest novel, The Violent Century, just like that. Essentially, Tidhar is exploring an alternate reality where an unnamed catastrophic event caused hundreds of people around the world to transform into superhumans. Fogg and Oblivion, two British agents mostly used for information gathering rather than combat, control fog and dissipate matter, respectively. They are reporting their exploits in every major interntational war from […]
Lights in the darkness of a new Britain
In AD 410, Aquila is a Roman soldier, born and stationed in Britain – a Britain which has been irrevocably influenced by its tumultous relationship with its Roman conquerors, and which is being ravaged by invading Saxons. When the Romans retreat from Britain, Aquila is forced to choose between his loyalties: between his family, especially his beloved sister Flavia, and the influence of Rome, which he sees as the last bastion of light in a darkening world. In Ambrosius Aurelianus, who leads the fight against […]
The Red Tent
Quick Synopsis: The untold story of the Biblical Dinah, daughter of Jacob and sister of Joseph Quick Review: A gorgeous feminine-centered book, recommended for anyone interested feminine narrative, Biblical history, or just good storytelling Read the Full Review
Concerning Beauty, Money & Bohemian Paris
DESCRIPTION (from Amazon.com):
A Compelling Mystery
In which Siege comes for the steamboat disaster and stays for the excellent characters and gripping story.
Chevalier: I officially don’t get it
This is the second of Chevalier’s books that I have read. Last year I tackled “Girl with the Pearl Earring” and despite the critical acclaim, it fell flat for me and I found it obvious, and sort of a chore. I also didn’t like Remarkable Creatures, but for somewhat different reasons. This novel has two narrators: Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. Set in England in the 1800s, this is a story about women as they try to leave their mark on the scientific community, and […]