emmsbookshelf's reviews
738 reviews

emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Nephthys is a novel that weaves together Egyptian mythology and the Victorian Era, particularly focusing on the exploration and pillaging of Egypts rich history.

The story was well written, in a manner that is evocative and engaging and I could vividly picture the events unfolding as I read. Both the settings in England and Egypt were descriptive and detailed. Character wise, Clementine was well rounded and had great development. She goes from sheltered and naively following her fathers instructions, to independent and actively questioning everything, her loyalty to her sister is one of her chief qualities. It took me some time to warm to Rowland as a character and Oswald kind of melted into the background, Celia was an interesting character who had an interesting duality against Clemmy (though two ‘C’ names had me rereading some sections).

Mythology was woven into the story incredibly well, this is quite a difficult thing to do, considering the variations between the different versions and different translations. There was a great deal of historical and geographic accuracy, that showed that this book was incredibly well researched. The themes of sisterhood were strong and shown in the connection between Clementine and Rosetta, but additionally between Isis and Nephthys, their mythology is woven into the story. Additionally, themes of repatriation and the impacts of colonialism were worked in, this was done in an interesting manner by working in the idea of a curse. Repatriation is something I am incredibly passionate about and I was incredibly pleased to see it play out in the story and watch Clemmie and Rowland in particular become more and more aware of the need for items of cultural heritage to remain or be returned to their country of origin.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and am grateful to Netgalley and the Publisher Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My Lady Jane is a delightful alternate History book, with fantasy elements like shape shifting masterfully woven in. It is a great book for young people, who love going to History class (but wish that there were a few more feminine voices that floated through our records) and love a story with a healthy mix of fantasy.

Whilst the plot deviates significantly from the events of History, in the most self-aware manner possible. It features real people who, for those who study Tudor and Elizabethan England are well known names, King Edward, Jane Grey, Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, even Mary Queen of Scots. These characters enter a what-if scenario in which they get to experience extended life, its delightfully the opposite of most medieval based fantasy series where no-one is safe and it becomes, in essence, a blood bath. Another element of the humorous self-awareness of the novel in regards to its interpretation of history is how delightfully anachronistic it is! I love the weaving of Shakespeare quotes, and versions of Shakespeare quotes (“My wife’s Kingdom for a horse” is my absolute favourite) and the comments from the narrators about how elements hadn’t actually been invented yet. It made the story a whole new level of funny.

The alternating points of view contained distinct voices, values and motivations. Each was engaging and I never found myself dreading any voice, though I did enjoy Jane most and resonated with her bookish ways, I found comfort in G’s insecurities and found Edward’s pompousness funny.

The narration of this audiobook was another well crafted element of the book, tough I would’ve found a male narrator for the characters of G and Edward a lot more immersive. Though I do understand that the choice of a single narrator was to reflect that this was a version of history being communicated to the reader from a chosen narrator who had uncovered a clandestine version of events that challenged traditional history. There were unique voices for character and expression that were worked in, varying for people of different gender identities and class/stations, I thought Gracies accent was brilliant in particular but also appreciated how narration reflected each of the characters; Bes’ voice was calm and soothing, Mary was patronising and cloying and even Lady Francis’ sycophantic characteristation was communicated in a shrill narration.

I probably keep repeating the word ‘fun’ in my review, but I can think of no better descriptor for listening to My Lady Jane, I simply put, had a brilliant time. I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and Bolinda Audio in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

The Immigrant Queen by Peter Taylor-Gooby

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

The Immigrant Queen is a novel centred on Aspasia, partner of Athenian statesman Pericles.

Overall, this book was well written and I enjoyed how it was clearly well researched. It worked to authentically integrate different personalities from the ancient world who existed and played an active part in the Greek world at the time. I liked the references to ancient literature too.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite what I expected in regards to its narration. From the blurb, I was expecting the book to be from the perspective of Aspasia herself, however it is told from the perspective of one of her slaves Limander. It made Aspasia an unreachable character to me. I’m not sure if it is because of this, that I found it hard to connect with Limander. I found that while he shrewdly observed those around him in detail, his own feelings and inner thoughts were often absent.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are all my own.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi

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adventurous emotional medium-paced