Eve Koguce's Blog, page 7

Walking on Thin Ice: A Rachel Drucker Thriller by Robert Burns

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Rachel is young, smart, and ambitious. She is determined to make a career in journalism, and when she comes upon a story that promises the breakthrough she has been waiting for, she dives straight in, discarding possible danger and unpleasant consequences.

Julia Brown disappeared twenty years ago. Who kidnapped her? Is she dead? Where is the body? Two decades later, these questions remained unanswered.

Rachel’s father, Detective Ted Drucker, a prominent figure in the Sacramento Police force, couldn’t solve the case of Julia Brown’s disappearance. The mistakes he made at the early stage led to irreparable damage to the investigation. Ultimately, it cost him his life. And now his daughter sinks deeper and deeper into the same rabbit hole.

“Walking on Thin Ice” by Robert Burns keeps you on the edge of your seat while you try to figure out ‘whodunit’, and, at the same time, it makes you invested in Rachel’s personal story and the inner workings of her mind. I like this combination since for me, it’s not enough to follow the action. To become truly invested in a book, I need to understand its characters.

The author does an excellent job at showing the reader who Rachel Drucker is. I can’t say that I like her, but I understand what drives her and, it makes reading her story especially exciting. Rachel comes from the generation who’s been taught that good and bad have solid, inflexible boundaries. When she finds out more about her father’s work as a detective, she judges him according to these stiff rules. It does make her a good person, but I think that as her career progresses – I hope to read more of Rachel Drucker’s books by the author! – she will learn that the reality of the police and also journalism work often makes one sway from the rulebook.

I appreciated the author’s creative approach to using the lucid dreaming theory in the plot. It was fresh and made the story about the investigation stand out. I also liked how the portrait of legendary Detective Drucker changed as Rachel learned more about her childhood and the gradual revelation of how her father's obsession with Julia Brown’s case had changed their family’s life.

“Walking on Thin Ice” by Robert Burns is a great mix of crime fiction and psychological drama that provides readers with both the excitement of a complicated investigation and delving into the personal struggles of the main character.




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Walking on Thin Ice

Snacks for the Soul: 100 Friendly Reminders for Daily Growth and Personal Empowerment by Elena Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sometimes we all need a gentle nudge. We need it for various reasons. To snap out of the apathy caused by the everyday routine that feels like a burden. To refocus after we’ve mulled over grim thoughts for too long. To see a new perspective. To remember that life has a brighter side. After all, as Elena Carter reminds us in her book “Snacks for the Soul”: “A happier you will make this world a better place.”

Sometimes words are futile. The grief is too deep, the loss too devastating, or a person has been drowning in that dark place for too long. And still, the author reminds us of the universal truth we so often forget: “Life is full of everyday miracles.”

Sometimes we feel alone. It seems that no one understands what we are going through. “Find people who inspire you,” says Elena Carter. Easier said than done, someone might say. And still, those who don’t look for never find.

“Snacks for the Soul: 100 Friendly Reminders for Daily Growth and Personal Empowerment” is a nudge many of us need to add colour to our everyday lives. Reading these reminders made me smile, reflect, and want to do something to encourage the people around me to look at the brighter side.

I’m glad to have this book on my Kindle since I can open it on any page and read encouraging words that will make me feel better and improve the course of any day.




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Snacks for the Soul: 100 Friendly Reminders for Daily Growth and Personal Empowerment

Fallen by Kat Kinney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve read all of Kat Kinney’s books, and I honestly can’t say which of her three paranormal series I love best. I pre-ordered “Fallen”, book two in the Everwood Falls series, and I couldn’t wait to read Lucien and Isabel’s story after my curiosity about them had been ignited while reading book one “Light My Pyre”. And I wasn’t disappointed!

I absolutely adore the way the author mixes the dark and the cosy. The characters in her books are stylish and beautiful. They live their lives with gusto – now I dream about visiting Texas and tasting all its specialities – appreciate delicious food, comfortable living, and don’t neglect their wardrobes. Still, they aren’t empty shells gifted with paranormal abilities. They are loyal friends, caring parents – even when the ones they call their children aren’t their blood kin – and devoted professionals in their field.

In Everwood Falls, the town where magic lives not only in its inhabitants but in plants and animals as well, you’ll meet an ancient vampire whose passion is to feed people. And feed them so that they leave his restaurant happier than they entered it. A green witch who teaches the town folk how to persuade a carnivorous spruce to behave like a proper Christmas tree so the kids can have a magical holiday season. A merman who works in the school to help students avoid accidents in the pool.
"Sometimes finding a way forward meant learning to live your best life and discovering joy in the people and pastimes you loved, despite the challenges of chronic illness." The author tackles the topic of chronic illness beautifully, portraying both the challenges such conditions bring and the ways to make one’s life fulfilling despite it.

Lucien and Isabel are meant to be together. They meet in ancient Pompeii, even though she wasn’t supposed to see him, and he wasn’t supposed to talk to her. They see each other, they talk to each other, and they fall in love. And that causes the avalanche, more disastrous than the eruption of Vesuvius. Isabel dies. Lucien gets severely punished by the Archangels. And the two of them suffer again and again over the centuries that come and go, strengthening the curse. Isabel gets born again and again only to die a tragic death. Lucien tries to prevent it but always fails.

Something changes when the Archangel approaches Lucien in Everwood Falls to tell him that this time, many innocent people’s lives are interconnected with Isabel’s impending death. It doesn’t give Lucien any hope that he might finally get a chance to spend his life with his beloved in this timeline after centuries of tragedies and heartbreak. He knows the ways of the Archangels only too well to be that optimistic. Yet, he can’t let innocent people die if he can prevent it. And so, although he’d sworn not to come close to Isabel this time, he breaks his promise, and he and Isabel unite their efforts to find those who threaten to turn the lives of many families of Everwood Falls into hell.

“Fallen” is a beautiful, emotionally charged, and oh-so-delicious story that will make you want to read more about Everwood Falls and its inhabitants.




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Fallen

An Alliance of Fire and Steel by Laura Maybrooke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A satisfying conclusion to the main plotlines and a promise of new exciting adventures – all against the backdrop of immersive world-building. This is what the readers will get from “An Alliance of Fire and Steel”, book three of the Dulcea's Rebellion trilogy by Laura Maybrooke.

This high fantasy romance series is a real treat for everyone who, like me, enjoys being swept off their feet by a story that could never happen but feels piercingly real like a chapter from a history book.

Dulcea treads on dangerous ice while the prospects of a battle with the most terrible evil creature in the world become more real. The ice gets thinner, people’s faith in her dwindles, and with every misfortune that befalls her, the rebellion she started to liberate the land from the aggressor’s oppression seems more and more doomed to failure.

Dulcea finds hope where it should have been only bitterness and the proof of the inevitability of her impending failure. Lord Krath, a vampire and the nemesis of the demon who threatens to destroy Dulcea’s dream of her homeland’s liberation, gives her his journals to read. On their pages, he has documented the history of the lands now fighting for their freedom from evil as well as his personal confrontation with Grom. This confrontation had lasted for centuries and was futile for both sides, not bringing either the satisfaction of full victory. Will Krath’s unexpected alliance with Dulcea’s rebels be the missing piece of the puzzle that prevented Krath from winning?

I thoroughly enjoyed saving Caeryn together with Dulcea, Krath, the dragons – I especially liked black Errai clan dragons, although I’m sure I would be no match for Saranis should we happen to play a game of Dominion – snobbish elves who stick to traditions even amidst the war and other folk with or without magical abilities. I’m looking forward to reading the new series the author recently introduced so I can return to the fascinating world she has created.




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An Alliance of Fire and Steel

Down A Darker Path by Laura Maybrooke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’m already about one-third into the third book of the series, so I’ll keep this review short and to the point. All three books have already begun to mix in my head in one completely engrossing narrative, so I’ll do my best not to give out any spoilers.

“Down A Darker Path”, book two of the Dulcea's Rebellion series by Laura Maybrooke, picks up right where book one ends. Dulcea is still torn between the war, which it seems less and less possible to win, and her feelings for Krath, who remains an enigma to her and a hateful enemy to those whose opinion is important to her. The slow-burn romance is a joy to read for those who, like me, appreciate a deep, thought-provoking love story that interweaves seamlessly with other events in the book.

Dulcea fights for the freedom not only of her own people, but of the whole continent that has suffered centuries of oppression. And for that, she is loved by many who believe in change, evokes interest in those who have the power to influence history, and is hated by ignorant and purely evil.

Dulcea is in love with a man, but she has to deal with his controversial past and dark nature. Krath agrees to open his secrets to her by letting her read his story he has documented himself. But can he open his long-dead, not-beating heart to her too?

Her allies all have a vision of her they’ve drawn in their minds and don’t hesitate to demand from her that she meets their expectations. I felt sorry for the disappointed elven priest Myoden. He isn’t a bad man. And Dulcea understands that he is a product of his upbringing. Her mightiest ally and a symbol of hope for many in her army, dragon leader Amparo crosses the line in their relationship. Can their friendship survive that?

“Down A Darker Path” took me on a wild ride, and upon finishing it, I didn’t want to be left hanging with my head dangling down in the air, on the topmost place of the rollercoaster. So, as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I’m already deep in the continuation of Dulcea’s story. And I know for sure that I’ll read everything the author writes next about the incredible fantasy world she has masterfully created.




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Down A Darker Path

The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I devoured this book in a few sittings. Like other books by this author, “The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy” has everything that Jane Austen fans crave to find in “Pride and Prejudice” variations. More of the romance between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy, the English high society, constrained by the strict rules of propriety but greedy for gossip, and unexpected twists involving secondary characters we always want to find out more about.

“The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy” by Kelly Miller begins with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth being swept off their feet by the unexpected and irresistible feelings they develop for each other. They get married and, apart from Lizzy’s worries about joining London’s highest circles, life ahead promises happiness and bliss.

Alas, one day, Fitzwilliam Darcy disappears under the most mysterious and alarming circumstances, and Elizabeth is left to deal with the fear that the most terrible thing has happened to her beloved husband, nosy relatives, and the ruckus the extraordinary event has caused in newspapers.

I appreciate the gentle way the author tackles serious issues like the lack of respect for women back in the nineteenth century. Such an attitude stemmed from the laws that restricted women from inheriting property among other things we take for granted today.

The mystery of Mr. Darcy’s disappearance gets unravelled gradually, making some people from Mr. Darcy’s circle show their true faces. The behaviour of Lord Berkeley and formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, for example, demonstrate that high social standing and wealth don’t automatically turn anyone into a decent person.

Fast-paced and elegantly written, this book kept me turning the pages. A perfect read for lovers of beautiful prose and the Regency-era setting.



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The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy

Immortal Defiance by Laura Maybrooke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Every rebellion needs a symbol. Humans need a leader with unmatched power who will make them believe that victory is possible. Supernatural creatures need something more. A Silver Elf, an enchantress, a dragonmistress of the golden dragons clan fits the role well.

“Immortal Defiance”, book one of the Dulcea's Rebellion series by Laura Maybrooke, begins with a bang. The leader of the rebels’ army has been kidnapped. Moreover, it seems that her own people have done it. And if that isn’t enough, when Dulcea the Lightbringer is ready to accept her fate – unavoidable death – she receives an offer which seems equally reckless to accept and to refuse.

I loved the way the author unfolded the story gradually, manoeuvring between the present moment and the past. It gave me the feeling of inclusion, and I grew more and more invested in Dulcea’s adventures.

Dulcea is a remarkable heroine. I can’t say that I like her. She is young – according to the elven standards – and thus, stubborn. She makes decisions based on her limited experience. Life proves that sometimes it would do her only good to listen to those more knowledgeable. And still, her persistence and strength of character are admirable. Besides, she has too much on her plate. The war against an ominous enemy. People’s expectations that she can’t betray. Her loyal army which she can’t let down. And on top of that, a mysterious man, whose intentions are unclear but whose allure is irresistible, shares something that threatens to waver her confidence in everything she has taken upon herself to accomplish.

“Immortal Defiance” opens the door to an incredible fantasy realm. People and magical creatures fight for their rights to live their lives as they choose rather than succumb to the intruder’s oppression. But along the constant challenge, while stepping into battles necessary for their cause to succeed, they suffer minor – or are these in fact the most significant ones? – misfortunes. They fall in love and suffer under the burden of an unrequited love. They cherish the news of their families whom during the wartime they don’t see often.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of Dulcea’s story where the epic and the personal interweave in an absorbing narrative you don’t want to put down. I’ve already started reading book two, and I have no doubts that I’ll dive straight into book three once I finish it.





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Immortal Defiance

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner




It was a chore to read this book. Yet, after I finished it, I felt as if I had lived among the troubled Compsons rather than read about them.

The stream-of-consciousness narrative isn’t for every reader to digest and to enjoy. And when it’s a stream of a person with a mental disability and the author does an excellent job of portraying how the mind of such a person works, it is, I believe, a huge stop-sign for many.

I admire the courage of the author who put aside the doubts I’m sure he did have and wrote the book like no other. Reading “The Sound and The Fury” was like being constantly slapped in the face and not waiting before the ringing in your head stopped, returning for more. I doubt any author nowadays would dare to create a story like that.

Countless times, I lost the thread of the narrative. Countless times, I put the book aside and days passed before I returned to reading it. I felt the frustration, the uneasiness, the impatience – the fury borne from the sounds William Faulkner made me listen to in my head.

While reading it, I’m not sure I understood even half of what was going on in the Compsons’ household and, in the second part of the book, with Quentin in Harvard. After closing the book, I felt like I watched a movie rather than read the words on paper. The things I thought I didn’t understand emerged from somewhere underneath my subconsciousness and pinned into my memory.

I am not sure if the most profound impression I was left with after reading “The Sound and The Fury” by William Faulkner means that I liked the book. That’s why I’m posting this review without a star rating. I might change it if I ever decide to reread it.

I agree with Richard Hughes, who said in the introduction that this novel should be read a second time at least. “The essential quality of a book that can be read again and again, it seems to me, is that it shall appear different at every reading – that it shall, in short, be a new book.” I also feel that the only way to truly enjoy this story is to do as Mr Hughes suggests: “…there is no need to disentangle anything. If one ceases to make the effort, one soon finds that this strange rigmarole holds one’s attention on its own merits.” I confess I wasn’t able to fully do that this time, but when I did lose myself in the narrative, giving up on exerting my brain to understand what should be felt not judged using logic, I caught glimpses of something flawing effortlessly, leaving vivid images etched in my mind.




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William Faulkner

Powerless by Vicky Ball

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


They say that it’s normal for the young to be impulsive. They say: "When does one have more freedom to explore what life has to offer than in one’s youth?" What nobody seems to pay much attention to is that adventures can be dangerous. What many consider the proof of the adult’s fossilised mind, at times, is the wisdom acquired by the years of life experience.

“Powerless” by Vicky Ball is an excellent cautionary tale that puts into a different perspective what, at first glance, an innocent urge to be independent of one’s parents can lead to.

The story is an absolute page-turner. I finished it in a few days, and if I had more time to read, I would have finished it even quicker. “Powerless” is full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming and learning a new secret made me want to find out more.

When Beth returns after a seven-year absence, her younger sister Abby has mixed feelings about it. I liked that the sisterly reunion wasn’t portrayed solely in happy colours. Abby was eight when Beth disappeared, and now she is the same age as was Beth when she went away. At fifteen, it is difficult to see outside your ‘box’ of teenage worries. And Abby needs time and guidance to come to terms with her older sister being back in her life. She gets neither, for Beth’s return puts into motion a rollercoaster of disturbing events, and their parents are not keen to share anything with young Abby.

Beth falls into a trap of love so many fifteen-year-old girls would have fallen into easily. Alas, the man she falls in love with and who lures her out of her parental home and her life as a schoolgirl turns out to be more dangerous than simply a guy wishing to rob an innocent girl of her virginity. This man, Michael, will rob Beth of so much more…

Fast-paced and unpredictable, “Powerless” is a book you won’t want to put down until you know how the mess one seemingly usual family’s life has turned into ends.




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Powerless

The Newcomer by Caroline Rebisz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This charming story is for everyone who wants a blissful escape from their everyday worries. I kept turning the pages, smiling and giggling at Jenni’s antics, and couldn’t get enough of quaint Sixpenny Bisset. Even though this pretty town in Dorset is fictional, it felt every bit real to me.

“The Newcomer” by Caroline Rebisz centres around Jenni Sullivan, who, at the vulnerable age of fifty, has to start her life afresh. It’s only when you are young that changes are all about excitement and new experiences. When you have the first half of your life behind you, you know for sure that the chances are high that you might encounter not only endless fun but a few – dozen – obstacles as well.

I could relate to Jenni, who moved from Birmingham to Sixpenny Bisset in Dorset – from North to South – on many levels, for, a couple of decades ago, I made a similar move. True, I didn’t move within the country, but I did move to Dorset from a place very different from it. I also travelled around the UK a lot at that time, and, among other places in the north, visited Birmingham.

After a bustling city where she had enjoyed the bliss of family life, bringing up her sons, under the care of a very successful husband, Jenni finds herself in a small rural spot, surrounded by nosy neighbours who are keen to learn more about a rare newcomer to their tightly-knit community. Despite her age, Jenni has kept her figure and attractive looks, and she inevitably becomes an object of unwanted attention from local men. The intentions of some are noble – even though Jenni doesn’t need this well-meant chivalry – while others treat her as the next trophy on their shelf of conquests.

Jenni finds herself in funny, awkward, and also unpleasant situations while trying to adapt to her new life. She quickly makes friends with some of her new neighbours. Jenni likes her new home and Sixpenny Bisset and is determined to make her new life work. Alas, some people's egoism and inability to judge outside the imaginary picture of what others want, which they have drawn in their self-centred minds, put Jenni’s plans in danger.

“The Newcomer” is a read for you if you enjoy immersing yourself in a quaint setting with a set of quirky, vivid characters that keep the readers interested from start to finish – and leave them craving more.






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The Newcomer