Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan (Review)

Date of Reading: 6/11/2022

Author: Sue Lynn Tan

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: November 10, 2022

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

After her perilous quest to free her mother, Xingyin thrives once more in the tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a treacherous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation--to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love... even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin--the daughter of Chang'e and the mortal archer, Houyi--as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.

Review:

        I would be lying if I don't admit this to be one of the most anticipated reads this year. The culmination of a wait that started last December when I finished reading the 'Daughter of the Moon Goddess'. There were no cliffhangers, for which I was grateful (isn't that one of the cruellest things that an author can do to the readers?), but the threat from the celestial emperor still looms.

        The success of the first novel is often hard to replicate, but Sue Lynn Tan has surpassed expectations here. The love triangle has matured, something that didn't really leave much of an impression on me in the last book. Wenzhi made a grand comeback, stabilising his position gradually with readers, taking us unawares. 

        I am not really fond of this usual trope found in c dramas, especially if the second suitor presents a much more sympathetic side, endearing to the viewers. Don't we have our examples in 'Ashes of Love' and 'Boys over Flowers'? Predictably Wenzhi aroused some painful memories and soon my pity turned to anger. Why is he so foolish? Can't he see that this is a losing battle? Why should fate/author toy with him so? By the time the story neared its climax, I was on the verge of losing it. It all seemed so convenient, like Bertha Mason in 'Jane Eyre'. How foolish it all was! Or so I thought.

        A wonderful ending to a captivating duology, we can rightfully say. Fickle as I am, I never expected the author to make such a bold choice, hiding a surprise towards the end. What more can I say? It was worth the wait.

Meet the author:

Sue Lynn Tan is the author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, a romantic fantasy inspired by the beloved legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess. Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong with her family.

Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. After devouring every fable she could find in the library, she discovered fantasy books – spending much of her childhood lost in magical worlds.

Sue Lynn can be reached on Instagram or Twitter @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com.

Reforged - Seth Haddon (Review)

Date of Reading: 19/09/2022

Author: Seth Haddon

Publisher: Blind Eye Books

Publication Date: October 4, 2022

Source: BookSirens

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Since time immemorial the warriors of the Paladin Order have harnessed arcane powers to protect their rulers. For Balen, who has given up his chance at love and fought his way to the top of the Paladin Order, there can be no greater honour than to serve his king. But when assassins annihilate the royal family, Balen suddenly finds himself sworn to serve the very man he abandoned.

Now with their nation threatened by enemies both within and outside the kingdom, Balen must fight hidden traitors and unnatural assassins, while also contending with the biting wit and dangerous charm of young King Zavrius. To save themselves and their nation they will have to put aside their past and reforge that trust they lost so long ago.

Review:

        If it is not for the preview available in GoodReads, I would have passed over this book, all thanks to that cover which gives off a different vibe. Let me clarify it for you then. It is not a spicy heated love story as implied (apart from two scenes towards the end), but a very slow romance with ample political intrigue in the mix. It was like reading The Captive Prince series again, all in one book. The story might be different, but the teasing, eluding king won't fail to remind you of a certain prince.

        Balen and King Zavrius were sweethearts once, but he gave up his love for the prince for his career as a Paladin. Fate had other plans though. Zavrius's siblings are killed making him the last of the royal line and therefore the new king Balen is sworn to protect. With their old chemistry still intact, this has proven to be a much more laborious task. Oh, Zavrius sure makes him pay for ditching him . . . and the angst was worth waiting for.

        The battle scenes are another factor that I enjoyed. Haddon has a way of pulling us to the fights and the twists that come one after the other keep you always at the edge. Mallet and Lance, our sidekicks/brothers provide the necessary comic relief. If I could only have another story featuring these brothers! Lance, you sure are awesome!

        All in all an action-packed, swoon-worthy romance with hilarious moments that will give you an irresistible time. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Seth Haddon is a queer Australian writer of fantasy. He is a video game designer and producer, has a degree in Ancient History, and previously worked with cats. He lives in Sydney with his partner and their two furry children. Some of his previous adventures include exploring Pompeii with a famous archaeologist and being chased through a train station by a nun.

Take a Chance on Greece - Emily Kerr (Review)

Date of Reading: 18/7/2022

Author: Emily Kerr

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: July 22, 2022

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3/4

About the book:

When Lydia wakes up after a wild night out in Kefalonia with a tattoo saying ‘Awesome Andreas’, she’s mortified. She doesn’t remember meeting anyone called Andreas. And after all, she’s an accountant with a five-year plan. She’s definitely not a party girl.

The sensible thing to do would be to research how to get the tattoo removed and move on with her safe and steady life. But she’s had enough of being predictable.

Instead, Lydia decides to track down the mysterious Andreas, but the path to true love is never simple. As she goes from one disastrous date to another, she starts to lose hope in ever finding him. Perhaps Lydia is looking in the wrong places, and the right man for her is just next door, if only she’d take a chance on him . . .

Review:

        Emily Kerr is talented in turning even mundane stories into something remarkable and swoon-worthy. This is not one of her best, but still, a light-hearted and pleasurable read. The entire story revolves around her search for Awesome Andreas, the guy she has decided on as the love of her life. It is easy to guess who that is from the beginning and even the twist towards the end came out only as a mild surprise. So if you are attracted to this story because of the mystery element, I would say forget it. But if it is the word 'Greece' that drew you in, then you made the right pick.

        Lydia is no party girl and on the off chance she gets drunk, she looks absolutely sober to others. That resulted in her waking up after a drunken night in Kefalonia with a tattoo on her back. It is a name but not that of her boyfriend's. The tattoo triggers her brain into action opening her eyes to what has gone unnoticed previously. Her boyfriend is a control freak; as her boss, he exploits her abilities but he is tight-fisted when it comes to payment. She breaks off her relationship and travels back to Kefalonia in search of her Andreas.

        Joining a hotel as a maid, she starts her search for Andreas resulting in many hilarious dates. Each of these locations gives us a peak into this beautiful Greek island which will not fail to awaken your travel-crazed mind. Lydia's search may not have produced the desired result, but each of her failed dates bring her closer to understanding who she is.

Meet the author:

Emily Kerr is the author of feel-good romantic comedies.

She has been scribbling stories on bits of paper ever since she could write. She studied Classics at the University of Oxford, then did an MA in Broadcast Journalism. She works as a television journalist based in Yorkshire and loves the interesting variety of people she meets on a daily basis.

In her spare time, she can generally be found with her nose in a book or typing away at her laptop, though she also ventures into the great outdoors to take part in various running-based activities. She loves travelling, and Greece, in particular, has a special place in her heart.

Emily is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Her debut romantic comedy Who Does He Think He Is? was named runner-up in the Festival of Romance New Talent Award and the Joan Hessayon award.

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor - Xiran Jay Zhao (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 13/7/2022

Author: Xiran Jay Zhao

Publisher: Rock the Boat

Publication Date: July 7, 2022

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

A middle-grade contemporary fantasy that follows a young boy as he journeys across China to seal the underworld shut and save the mortal realm.

Zachary Ying never had many opportunities to learn about his Chinese heritage. His single mom was busy enough making sure they got by, and his schools never taught anything except Western history and myths. So Zack is woefully unprepared when he discovers he was born to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China for a vital mission: sealing the leaking portal to the Chinese underworld before the upcoming Ghost Month blows it wide open.

The mission takes an immediate wrong turn when the First Emperor botches his attempt to possess Zack’s body and binds to Zack’s AR gaming headset instead, leading to a battle where Zack’s mom’s soul gets taken by demons. Now, with one of history’s most infamous tyrants yapping in his headset, Zack must journey across China to heist magical artifacts and defeat figures from history and myth, all while learning to wield the emperor’s incredible water dragon powers.

And if Zack can’t finish the mission in time, the spirits of the underworld will flood into the mortal realm, and he could lose his mom forever.

Review:

        I am so invested in Chinese web novels these days, and so it goes without saying that this story captivated me. Who wouldn't? It is a Chinese version of Percy Jackson after all. And don't make me start on that gorgeous cover page. I was hooked from the start. This is one of the rare moments when I regret not getting a physical ARC. These stunning colours invite you to make a place for them on your shelf.

        As you might have guessed, the story keeps in line with the fantasy traditions set by Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series. A trio of twelve-year-olds (two boys, one girl) travels across China to complete their mission of sealing the leaking portal that connects the mortal world and the spirit world. One couldn't but compare this with Percy Jackson series. The similarities are astounding beginning with Zach's powers which involve water. But the story doesn't feel that solid as there are no prophecies to make sense of or mysteries to uncover. No, what makes this a spectacular read is its engagement with the immigrant condition.

        Zach is a Hui Chinese immigrant whose dad was killed for voicing against the Chinese government. Leaving the country in pursuit of an American dream like many others doesn't produce the intended results. They are left struggling in a country which is reluctant to accept them however accommodating its policies are. We find Zach leaving his lunch unopened for fear of alienating his newly acquired friends but in spite of these sacrifices he remains another Asian kid to his classmates.

        This unwanted quest comes as an eye-opener not only for him but also for the readers. We do get a lot of history lessons in between and it is never boring. Representation of Chinee minorities is another fact that endears this story to me. Zack is Hui Chinese, Muslim and also queer. Melissa Wu is a Miao who intends to project her ethnicity by becoming a fashion idol. With these newfound friends, Zach is finally at home.

        Simon and Melissa make excellent sidekicks and their emperors are absolutely awesome, especially Wu Zetian. I am already intrigued by the snippets of her life story to add the TV series to the watch list. Then there is Qin Shi Huang. He might be a tyrant according to history books, but the author has created such a wonderful character out of it, we cannot help but love him to the core. He is definitely my favourite. 

        Well, this series is far from being over. The ending has left me heartbroken yet hopeful about the fate of the Dragon Emperor. Eagerly awaiting the sequel . . .

Meet the author:

Xiran Jay Zhao is the #1 bestselling author of the Iron Widow duology. A first-gen Hui Chinese immigrant from small-town China to Vancouver, Canada, they were raised by the internet and made the inexplicable decision to leave their biochem degree in the dust to write books and make educational content instead. You can find them @XiranJayZhao on Twitter for memes, Instagram for cosplays and fancy outfits, TikTok for fun short videos, and YouTube for long videos about Chinese history and culture. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor is their first middle grade novel.

The Poppy War - R. F. Kuang (Review)

Date of Reading: 23/6/2022

Author: R. F. Kuang

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For a while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

Review:

        Well, it took me a rather long time; not only to finish reading this grim dark fantasy but also to decide whether I should open it or not. This is not a pleasant story as so many reviewers have already warned. You can read it as mere fantasy but considering the map presented at the beginning with its uncanny similarity to China and its neighbouring nations, that is going to be a bit stretching.

        Book 1 of the Poppy War trilogy is based on the second Sino-Japanese war and it is just the beginning. As I am nearing the end of the last book, I can say this with assurance . . . the worst is yet to come. The first half of the story focuses on Fang Runin's aka Rin's entry into Sinegard, the humiliations she faces as a dark-skinned southerner and her survival.

        War comes knocking soon enough awakening us from the dream of a happy-go-lucky fantasy. The sudden transition was a lot to take in and destroyed my reading pace. Hence the four stars. Unlike Jiang in the first half, there are no likeable characters. I didn't warm up to Altan like so many others and the same goes for the Cike team. I never quite understood Rin's infatuation with Altan (ok, maybe I get the appeal). Still, I was looking forward to Nezha and Kitay. Huh, there my premonitions prevailed.

        The first book in the series might be the one nominated for several awards, but I prefer the sequels. And I am sure many share this view as can be seen from the reduced ratings of the other two books. So if you are slightly disappointed, then my advice is not to give up. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Meet the author:

Rebecca F. Kuang is a Marshall Scholar, Chinese-English translator, and the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Award nominated author of the Poppy War trilogy and the forthcoming Babel. Her work has won the Crawford Award and the Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel. She has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford; she is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale, where she studies diaspora, contemporary Chinese literature, and Asian American literature.

Out of the Lion's Maw - Witold Makowiecki and Tom Pinch (Review)

Date of Reading: 25/5/2022

Author: Witold Makowiecki

Translator: Tom Pinch

Publisher: Mondrala Press

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

A European bestseller, un-put-down-able since 1946, now for the first time in English.

An elderly Zoroastrian priest and his teenage apprentice, a dark plot to foment a civil war. Can the two thwart it?

570 BC. The Old Mountain Lion, the predatory king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, has destroyed empires, razed cities, and driven whole nations into slavery. Now, he sews discord in the Mediterranean to soften up another victim for a surprise attack. It is up to the two unlikely heroes to try to foil the plot, and persuade kings, priests, bureaucrats, and generals to change their course. They race against the clock across the Mediterranean, pursued by spies, assassins, and eventually the whole state apparatus of eternal Egypt.

A classic tale of high adventure, full of white-knuckle twists and turns, cliffhangers and last-minute escapes, engaging characters, and sparkling humour. Continuously in print across Eastern Europe since 1946, it has been compared to The Treasure Island and The Three Musketeers.

Review:

       This was a moment of self realisation. For one, I never thought my knowledge of ancient civilisations was. . . ah . . . poor. I waded through different Mediterranean nations along with our protagonists with no idea of their present identities. When it comes to the Gods, the footnotes helped a lot. And here I am, awfully glad that I chanced upon this wonderful Polish work because of a random search in NetGalley recommendations.

        Since the blurb above doesn't give much on the story, let me enlighten you. Nehurabhed is a Medean high priest and envoy of the King and he is being held captive in Carthage. He escapes with the help of a Greek sailor, Kalias. Before fleeing Carthage they both save a boy who was sold to slavery. Melicles was captured by the pirates and had tried to escape from his plight many times. Finally Gods had answered his prayers. Nehurabhed finds in him an ally and helper and so the adventures of the duo begin.

        The combination of a wise, old man and a young, naive boy makes this story really a marvel. Nehurabhed's strange ways of finding solutions to each crisis make for many humorous and surprising twists while sixteen-year-old Melicles has a penchant for helping others. The journey opens new worlds to him and we, the readers, share his wonder and joy.

        There is no doubt that this is a timeless classic for both young and the old. Thanks to Tom Pinch we finally have an English translation. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Witold Makowiecki (born 1903 in Warsaw, Poland, died 1946 in Radomsk, Łódź province, south-central Poland) is a Polish agricultural engineer and writer, author of popular books for children and young adults, some of which are on the required reading list for Polish elementary schools today. Agricultural engineer by training, he had to abandon his profession for health reasons. Under German occupation during world war II, he took up writing for the young. He is the author of two popular adventure novels set in ancient Mediterranean world, written with his children in mind: Przygody Meliklesa Greka (The Adventures of Melicles the Greek) and Diossos. His books, written in the swashbuckling style, have helped to propagate familiarity with classical Greek civilization. Each book is a stand-alone volume, but the two are bound together by the appearance of the characters of Melicles the Milesian and Kalias the Syracusan. Due to their superior literary quality, both books have remained in print since their original publication in 1946.

Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose - Alison Weir (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 21/05/2022

Author: Alison Weir

Publisher: Headline Review

Publication Date: May 12, 2022

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

AN ENGLISH PRINCESS, BORN INTO A WAR BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES.

The eldest daughter of the royal House of York, Elizabeth dreams of a crown to call her own. But when her beloved father, King Edward, dies suddenly, her destiny is rewritten.

Her family's enemies close in. Two young princes are murdered in the Tower. Then her uncle seizes power - and vows to make Elizabeth his queen.

But another claimant seeks the throne, the upstart son of the rival royal House of Lancaster. Marriage to this Henry Tudor would unite the white rose of York and the red of Lancaster - and change everything.

A great new age awaits. Now Elizabeth must choose her allies - and husband - wisely, and fight for her right to rule.

Review

        Before reading this book, I had never given much thought to this Yorkist Queen who united the houses of York and Lancaster. Considering her husband's temperament and her meek nature, I can see why historians didn't spare much time with her. The drama unfolded by her dear son is enough to fill the pages on Tudors, so a pious and charitable queen who always sees the good in others has been put backstage. 

        If the white rose of York represents purity, then Elizabeth embodies it. Not one to question the authority or the established traditions, she was taught to accept her destiny from childhood itself. Not much of a heroine figure, if you ask me. Her subservient nature and abhorrence of confrontations cost her the opportunity to share the power with her husband, Henry VII. On the other hand, her taking a step back in everything resulted in a peaceful marriage. 

        As you can see she is not a model woman for the present age. When you think back to the influential role her contemporary Queen Isabella played in Spain, she surely is a pitiable character. She never had much voice, not even when it comes to the lives of her own mother and sisters. Weir has captured quite vividly how the shifting power balance affects the lives of women. They are mere pawns in political transactions, denied even the freedom of a common woman to marry for love or continue in a marriage that they have come to love.

        Elizabeth's life may not be legendary, but she survived one of the most turbulent times England had undergone. What this novel offers is a captivating and unique picture of the Tudor era that is laying its foundations.

Meet the author:

Alison Weir is the bestselling female historian in the United Kingdom and has sold over 3 million books worldwide She has published twenty history books. Alison is also the author of twelve historical novels, including the highly acclaimed Six Tudor Queens series all of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. The complete short story collection, In the Shadow of Queens, accompanies this series. Alison is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an honorary life patron of Historic Royal Palaces.

A Magic Steeped in Poison - Judy I. Lin (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 2/5/2022

Author: Judy I. Lin

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Publication Date: March 29, 2022

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Colored Pages Tours)

About the book:

I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."

For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.

When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favour from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.

But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.

Review:

        I have been waiting to read this book for a long time. For one, even though this is part of a duology (I hate cliffhangers, by the way), the sequel is only months away from being released. And it is all about the art of tea making and the magic brewed with it. That is something I cannot say no to. Glad to say that the story doesn't disappoint.

        Ning is on a mission to save her sister from the brink of death. Her mother has already succumbed to the poison found in the tea leaves provided by the imperial coffers. Her only chance lies in winning the competition organised by the princess. Am I the only one here getting the 'Hunger Games' and 'Goblet of Fire' vibes? Well, don't expect something that nerve-racking; except for the last part, the story follows an even pace as soothing as the morning tea.

         That brings us to the most interesting part: the magic of the shennong-shi, masters adept in the art of tea-making. In a palace riddled with mysteries where every step could lead to danger, the competition adds another layer to the political intrigue. Not everything or everyone is what they seem. As Ning progresses through each round we are introduced bit by bit to the beauty of this art and when the shennong-tu's hands wield the tea, all the chaos seems to recede.

        The story explores the power of female relationships and thus all the major characters are women, except for Kang - the adopted son of the banished prince. His background is still shrouded in mystery, that is something to wait for in the sequel. Their sudden progress from friends to lovers might have taken me by surprise, still, I am rooting for this duo.

        A beautiful story that will ensnare you from the very beginning. Drinking tea will never be the same anymore.

Favourite quotes:

"Grief has a taste, bitter and lingering, but so soft it sometimes disguises itself as sweetness"

"The nice thing about getting old is you realize everything circles back on itself"

"Human hands make mistakes, Ning, but they are the hands the gods gave us. We use them to make amends, to do good things"

"We all have people we care about, those we would give our lives for. It puts us in danger, or makes us dangerous"

"There is a difference between living the suffering and reading about it"

Meet the author:

Judy Lin was born in Taiwan and moved to Canada when she was eight years old. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now divides her time between working as an occupational therapist and creating imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughter.

Lost Property - Helen Paris (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 21/04/2022

Author: Helen Paris

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: April 14, 2022

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

Dot Watson has lost her way.

Twelve years ago her life veered off course, and the guilt over what happened still haunts her. Before then she was living in Paris, forging an exciting career; now her time is spent visiting her mother's care home, fielding interfering calls from her sister and working at the London Transport Lost Property office, diligently cataloguing items as misplaced as herself.

But when elderly Mr Appleby arrives in search of his late wife's purse, his grief stirs something in Dot. Determined to help, she sets off on a mission - one that could start to heal Dot's own loss and let her find where she belongs once more...

Review:

        This was a hard nut to crack, just like Dot Watson's life. Lost just like the items in the Lost Property, we are to pick up the clues just like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. A demanding task, considering the fact that Dot is an unreliable narrator. I felt her be too judgemental and prone to easy conclusions, most of them far from the mark too. Glad to see that I was right in the end.

        The first part of the book was a tad bit slow (was even thinking of giving up), but my perseverance was rewarded. Potential readers, consider yourself to be warned. The pain spikes up in the second part of the story. One by one, the mysteries of the past are revealed and we are left bereaving only to find hope when all doors seemed to be closed. 

        The uncanny similarity in the lives of Dot and Sylvia Plath is hard to be ignored. Dot had everything ready for the life ahead. She is proficient in multiple languages and her travel dreams are about to bloom. Everything is set off course when her father kills himself. Shelving her future plans, she takes a job at the lost property office, oblivious to the fact that the truth could be different from what she believes. This is her story of rediscovery, finally coming to terms with the grief and guilt she kept close to her heart.

        Aside from Dot, the one I liked most is Philippa. Being an elder sister, I could understand what she is going through from the very beginning. Protecting younger siblings from the harsh realities of the world tends to result in a backlash. As for their parents, they deserve a story of their own . . .  with a better ending that is.

        On the whole, a heartbreaking but inspiring story that pushes you to move forward. Well, don't forget to keep your tissues at hand, you are definitely going to need them.

Favourite quotes:

"Life gives us so much, . . . chance, excitement and hope. But woven through it all is loss. If you try to pull out that thread, the whole thing unravels. Loss is the price we pay for love"

". . . just as objects cannot replace people, guidebooks are not destinations. However, I will never forget their ability to inspire, to educate."

Meet the author:

Helen Paris worked in the performing arts for two decades, touring internationally with her London-based theatre company Curious. After several years living in San Francisco and working as a theatre professor at Stanford University, she returned to the UK to focus on writing fiction. As part of her research for a performance called 'Lost & Found', Paris shadowed employees in the Baker Street Lost Property office for a week, an experience that sparked her imagination and inspired this novel. 

Lost Property is her first novel.

Kane & Abel - Jeffrey Archer (Review)

Date of Reading: 20/02/22

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan McMillan

Publication Date: March 13, 2004

Rating: 3/5

About the book:

Born on the same day near the turn of the century on opposite sides of the world, both men are brought together by fate and the quest of a dream. These two men -- ambitious, powerful, ruthless -- are locked in a relentless struggle to build an empire, fuelled by their all-consuming hatred. Over 60 years and three generations, through war, marriage, fortune, and disaster, Kane and Abel battle for the success and triumph that only one man can have.

Review:

        I could still remember the first Archer book I found in the library. A battered, old copy of 'First Among Equals' that rarely gets the chance to be on the shelf even with its bulkiness. And it is only recently (on a random GoodReads browsing session) that I realised, it is not even his most popular work. It doesn't even make the top ten to be exact. 

      As you can guess I started this with high expectations. When it comes to storytelling Archer doesn't disappoint. Two boys, born at the same time in different parts of the world. Their social status might be vastly different, but both have their own demons to conquer. I knew they were going to be rivals but didn't pick a side (in the beginning anyway). Still, it's hard not to lean towards Abel or Wladek as he was then called.

        Well, all that changed soon enough. Am I the only one who thought their rivalry was based on a baseless issue? Let's look at the facts. William was not able to persuade his board into supporting Abel's friend which eventually led to his death. How did Abel come to the conclusion that William is responsible for this? It is not like he had his share of grievances. If he really wanted revenge, shouldn't that be against the Germans who killed his father or the Russians who raped his sister? Well, since he cannot touch them, it is better to direct the pent up anger to someone nearby. Great logic! I can't fathom how twisted his mind is.

    And the portrayal of these two is quite disturbing. On one side there is William Kane, upright, clever and steadfast in his beliefs. Then there is Abel Rosnovski blinded by hate. What is his excuse for all this stupidity? "We Polish are a sentimental lot". Ah! so it is his ethnicity that is to blame. Would never have guessed that one!!!

       I closed the book filled with a sense of loss, grieving for a story that went astray. 

Meet the author:

Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940) is an English author and former politician.

He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married to Mary Archer, a scientist specialising in solar power. Outside politics, he is a novelist, playwright and short story writer.

The Red Palace - June Hur (Review)

Date of Reading: 11/02/2022

Author: June Hur

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Rating: 5/5

About the book: 

Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father's approval.

But Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon's closest friend and mentor. Determined to prove her beloved teacher's innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation.

In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed.

Review:

        Crime mysteries are not really my go-to genre, but this one grabbed my attention with its Korean setting. The story gives the feeling of walking straight into a K drama world and the historical elements just add to the sheen. Rest assured, my knowledge of Korean history is practically zero, but that is not a hurdle at all.

        Still, I was not without reservations. Can I really enjoy a historical mystery set in a time sans mobile phones and DNA tests? That too when the protagonist is no martial artist. Well, palace nurse Hyeon has proved that swords are not always necessary to protect oneself and our loved ones. The ending was unexpected (I was never really this bad in the guessing game, sigh!) and it left me reeling in the realisation that I am biased towards my own gender.

        The author hasn't skipped the romance part instead, it progresses and merges so beautifully with the main story that you are left enthralled. Hyeon and Eojin possess the wits of a different era and one may wonder whether both are transmigrated from the modern age. More than a mystery, the novel deftly gives us a glimpse of a bygone era that has its drawbacks along with its glory.

        One of the major victims of this era is definitely the crown prince. Prince Sado might not be a familiar figure to those of us who are strangers to Korean history, and I must confess to spending some hours digging up his story. As the author's note clearly states at the end, it is not easy to judge him and I am happy June Hur has chosen to portray him sympathetically.  

        It won't be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the best stories I have chanced upon at the beginning of this year. 2022 has much to look forward to!

Meet the author:

June Hur is the bestselling author of YA historical mysteries The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, and The Red Palace. In addition to being nominated twice for the prestigious Edgar Awards, she’s been featured on Forbes, NPR, and the CBC. Her fourth novel A Crane Among Wolves comes out in 2024. Born in South Korea and raised in Canada, she studied History and Literature at the University of Toronto. She currently lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.

A Wish in the Dark - Christina Soontornvat (Review & Summary)

Date of Reading: 14/1/2022

Author: Christina Soontornvat

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: March 24, 2020

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him.

All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in the darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.

Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, and inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

Review:

        The first thing that I thought after finishing the last page is 'Where did I come to know this book from?'. Is it GoodReads, Twitter or another book blog? I don't have the slightest idea. The book has been on my TBR for more than a month now and I am so grateful to whoever made me add this to my shelf. So here I am, passing on the baton hoping that 'A Wish in the Dark' will find a place on many more bookshelves.

        Most have categorised it as a middle-grade children's story, but I feel that this belong to the young adult. Intricately woven, the novel starts from Namwon prison to the monastery in the outskirts and back to Chattana assembling a plethora of characters uniquely crafted. What I loved the most about this book is the good feeling it projects, just like Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables'. As a huge fan of this classic (the abridged version that is), it is no coincidence that I fell completely for it.

        Pong might be the central character but the one that drew my attention was Nok. She reminded me a lot of one of my classmates, the daughter of a police officer, who supported the third-degree interrogation methods. Well, law and order need to be maintained, but that is not an excuse for being inhuman. I wish Nok had come to her senses even without that shocking reveal.

        Inspiring, poignant and dramatic -- yup, that is exactly what this story felt. A blessing in the darkest times.

Summary: 

        Pong is a nine-year-old boy born in Chattana’s Namwon prison. His mother died in childbirth but according to the prison rules the children of the prisoners can go out only when they complete their parent’s sentence or when they turn thirteen, whichever is earlier. With his closest friend Somkit, he dreams of that freedom. Chattana is governed by a man known as Governor after the Great Fire ravaged the city. Now instead of fire, the people use the magical orbs provided by the governor as the energy source. 

        Everyone admires the Governor and Pong is no exception. He longs to work for the great man one day. But these hopes are shattered when the Governor comes for a visit to the prison. While trying to save Somkit from the bullying of older inmates, he is noticed and humiliated by the Governor. He says, “Those who are born in darkness always return”. The words have shaken Pong and when a chance arises he escapes from Namwon.

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        As a fugitive, he cannot remain in Chattana. His prison tattoo can be easily recognised. He is caught stealing food from a monastery and the senior monk Father Cham takes him in and conceals his tattoo by using blessing threads. All his blessings, however irrelevant they may seem to be, come to pass. Four years pass. Pong, as a novice monk, feels secure that everyone must have forgotten him back in Chattana. Then the family of the former warden of Namwon pays a visit to the village and Nok Sivapan, the warden’s daughter recognises Pong.

        Nok is a diligent follower of the law and just like the governor believes that the light shines upon the worthy. She is born out of an affair her father had and her family is scared of the scandal that may come any time. They decide to leave her in the village. Nok vouches to capture Pong to redeem her family’s image and to secure her place with them. Meanwhile, Father Cham became bedridden. Before his death, he gives Pong a special blessing “May you find what you are looking for”. 

        To escape from Nok, Pong jumps off a cliff and nearly drowns. Accidentally saved by a boat, he reaches Chattana and coincidentally meets his friend Somkit. Staying with him he gets involved in a march against the Governor organised by Ampai. Pong later learns that she was a child once saved and blessed by Father Cham. With Somkit’s techniques, they manage to produce light from the globes through the absorption of sunlight. Pong helps to find the useless globes they need with his keen eyes.

       Nok is back in Chattana without the knowledge of her parents. While searching for Pong, she manages to hear about the planned march and warns the Governor. Contrary to her expectations he was already aware of this. He talks about her birth mother who was a criminal in Namwon prison. She was born there. This comes as a blow to her previous beliefs and finally, she can understand why Pong tried to escape.

        A fire breaks out before the march and Ampai dies saving the people trapped in it. Others still decide to go on with the march commemorating her memory. Somkit gets a permit for Pong so he can escape when everyone’s attention is drawn to the march. The freedom he longed for is within his grasp, but Pong feels empty. He gets a vision from Father Cham and realises that the Governor got his powers from Father Cham’s blessing. 

        Pong decides to go back and reason with the Governor, but it was too late. Governor has already cut off the lights from their district. Desperate he tried to cut off the Governor’s bracelet, representing the blessing he received, and the light passes to his body. From his hands, it spreads to the bodies of others. Governor has lost his power. He pushes Pong to the river but Nok comes to his rescue.

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       Chattana starts creating its own light through Somkit’s methods and a new era has begun.

Meet the author:

Christina Soontornvat grew up behind the counter of her parents’ Thai restaurant in a small Texas town with her nose stuck in a book. She is very proud of both her Thai and her Texan roots, and makes regular trips to both Weatherford and Bangkok to see her beloved family members (and eat lots and lots of Thai food!). Christina is the author of the fantasy middle grade series, The Changelings, and the early chapter book series, Diary of an Ice Princess. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, two young children, and one old cat.