Maureen

by Rachel Joyce Many of us remember Harold Fry’s journey to see his old friend Queenie during her final days, but have you ever thought about what his wife, Maureen, felt when he left? Was she abandoned, jealous of “another woman,” or hurt that he didn’t ask her to join? In this novel, Rachel Joyce…

A Scar Like a River

by Lisa Graff Thirteen-year-old Fallon has secrets. All of them center around the origins of the scar on her face, a scar that runs from  just above her left eyebrow to the top right edge of her upper lip. And when you’re in 7th grade, the last thing you need is an ugly scar; however,…

Grace

A. M. Shine Grace is my first encounter with author A M Shine. Rooted in traditional Irish folklore, this Irish Gothic Horror novel is set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. The novel opens with a prologue in which Declan desperately tries to save his wife, Chrissy, and his daughter, Grace, from…

The Safekeep

by Yael Van Der Wouden The Safekeep is a novel that explores themes of pain, loss, isolation, identity, and love. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the protagonist, Isabel, leads a life marked by routine and emotional detachment. Although she maintains a relationship with her two brothers—Hendrick, to whom she is close, and…

I Medusa

by Ayana Gray “ He is wealthy and popular…he will not be punished. Meanwhile, the girls here are prey.” (I Medusa). I Medusa turned out to be an unexpected surprise. The novel unfolds over a year. Medusa, or Meddy, is 17 and preparing with her sisters for a spring feast. Unlike her sisters—Euryale and Stheno,…

Hamnet

by Maggie O’Farrell I love Shakespeare and loved teaching his works. When I taught Hamlet, I also explored Shakespeare’s life and the play’s historical background with my students. Because of this, my review is personal and shaped by my love for Shakespeare and his famous play. The novel begins as we meet Hamnet, the son…

Season of Fear

by Amy Cooper Season of Fear was the perfect book to start my new year. An easy, fast-paced read that was hugely entertaining and at times poignant in theme.  Ilse lives with her mother and sister in Heulensee, a small village surrounded by the forest Hexenwald, a forest filled with bloodthirsty beasts like the Nachzehrer,…

Wild Reverence

by Rebecca Ross Wild Reverence is a slow-burning Romantacy story. For most of the book, we are schooled in a world of Gods, Goddesses, and Mortals. We have the Immortals of the Under Realm and the Immortals of the Skyward Realm, and poor Matilda’s parentage includes both… which leaves a young girl struggling with a…

Fox

by Joyce Carol Oats It took me a while to read this novel. Because of its VERY heavy subject matter, I had to take a good, long break between reading sessions. Not because it wasn’t incredibly engaging, but because I couldn’t sit with the incredibly “icky” feeling that would sit and grow in the pit…

Gone Tonight

by Sarah Pekkanen Is psychopathy hereditary? This is one of the questions readers will have whilst reading this novel. Ruth is keeping secrets. Secrets about her past. No one knows what she has done, not even her own daughter, Catherine. A catastrophic event happened when Ruth was still in high school, and she’s been on…