Songbirds by Christy Lefteri - A Netgalley Review

 Songbirds

 by Christy Lefteri

My rating:5 of 5 stars

I have taken a long time trying to put my feelings about Songbirds by Christy Lefteri into words.

This is so much more than just a well told story, with exquisite location settings and incredible characters. This is a testament to modern day struggles, a call to open our eyes to what is really happening around us, to the conditions we quietly accept fellow humans to live in and through.

Petra is a typical working mother living in Cyprus. Having lost her husband before her daughter was born, she did as many in Cyprus do: she hires Nisha to help her raise her child and look after the household. Petra does not really spend much time thinking about Nisha, wondering how her service to her family impacts Nisha's own family. Only when Nisha goes missing, does Petra take notice! She learns, that Nisha has a whole other life, and is much loved by her lodger, Yiannis. 

I was not aware of the issues that were described in this book, so i educated myself. This book will stay with me for a very long time, the plight, migrant workers all over the world, and especially in the western world, face are a wake up call to us all. 

Anybody who reads this book will not only be blown away by the beautiful way Christy Lefteri weaves the story, but also be touched and deeply moved by the issues discussed. 

I would like to thank Netgalley and Christy Lefteri for an ARC of this book. This review is my own and reflects my thoughts and feelings.

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The Trial of Gwen Foley by Jane O'Connor - A Bloodhound Books Review

The Trial of Gwen Foley

 by Jane O'Connor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1723, the town of Lichfield is rocked by the execution of a mother. Not long after, a vicious murder leads to the accusation of another innocent woman. Hester, the temporary magistrate’s wife, forms the Lunar Society with a small group of like minded women to avoid another execution.

This book is historical fiction, as such, some things are not a faithful depiction of the period the book takes place in.

I liked the idea of strong women having such influence on society and being so empowered. 

I really enjoyed the different facets of the story, the murder mystery giving another layer of complexity to the story with some surprising turns. 

The characters were well thought out, the plot developed at a good pace and the scene setting was very well implemented. I don’t live far from Lichfield and could imagine the locations described in the book. 

I would like to thank Bloodhound books and the author for an ARC. <br />This review is my own opinion. 

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Generation Manifestation (Gen M, #1) by Steven Bereznai - A Booksirens Review

Generation Manifestation (Gen M, #1)

 by Steven Bereznai

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Generation Manifestion by Steven Bereznai is a fresh, new contender in the world of young adult dystopian literature.

The world is separated into two distinct classes, the supergenics and the dregs (ordinary humans with no supergenic abilities). Caitlin, our protagonist, hopes that on testing day, her special power will manifest and she will get to live the life of her revered superheroes in "the city". But, as testing day arrives, Caitlin has to face the fact that she possesses no super power. This does not stop her from trying to reach her goal. She joins forces with an unlikely ally and turns the world upside down.

This book has similarities to series such as Divergent and Marvel/DC series but the author makes it his own universe by having unique characters, well drawn up world building and an engaging plot where every guess you make will be wrong. The story unfolds at a good pace and the balance between background and world building to action is well balanced. 

I really wanted to know more about the city and see more of the superhero side of the story. 

I loved the inclusiveness of this book, the author does not shy away from topics such as gender identity, neuro diversity and disabilites. 

If you are looking for a solid follow on after Divergent, this will not disappoint. 

I would like to thank the author and Booksirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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Termination by Richard T. Burke - A TBC Review

 Termination: The Boy Who Died (Decimation #2)

 by Richard T. Burke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Termination by Richard Burke is the sequel to Decimation. Antimone, Jason and Paul have settled into family life. Antimone has achieved her dream of representing the UK at the Paralympic games in Glasgow. For a second time though, her chance of bringing home a medal is hampered and she finds herself in another life threatening situation.

I really enjoyed reading these books. Antimone is a brave new kind of main character. The plot develops at a rapid pace and there is no room for boredom. The characters are extremely well written and each have complex backgrounds and challenges to face. World building happens on the fly, the reader gets a good grasp of this dystopian leaning new world set in the not so distant future.

This series combines a number of genres but it has an overall feel of a fast paced thriller with dystopian undertones. 

The author brings many unique ideas and facets to a very popular genre. I particularly liked the inclusiveness of these books and the fact, that the main character will appeal to differently abled readers. 

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The Disciple by Sarah Sheridan - A Bloodhound Books Review

 

The Disciple

by Sarah Sheridan   

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The disciple by Sarah Sheridan is the second book following Sister Veronica. 

The convent is in turmoil after a baby is left. A mysterious tarot card, left with the baby, is the only clue left. Sister Veronica and her journalist friend Melissa take it upon themselves to find the baby’s mother! The task unearths far more sinister circumstances than expected.

This is a sequel and, as such, it would be best to have read the previous book. A lot of Sister Veronica’s thoughts and reactions are based in the first book, which I haven’t read.

The book does work as a stand-alone but the background knowledge would be useful to understand some of the main characters thought processes and doubts.

I was a little disappointed, that the protagonist plays a relatively small roll in the main plot. She is not a “super sleuth” and the police play a crucial part to all the more procedural action.

The plot is engaging and the twists and turns will keep a reader’s interest. 

Overall, a fun read with a quirky new sleuth.

My thanks go to Bloodhounds Books and the author, Sarah Sheridan, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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This is how we are human by Louise Beech - A TBC review

 This Is How We Are Human

by Louise Beech

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As an interim review: WoW, just WOW. 

This is how we are human by Louise Beech is a work of brilliance. I have tried to write a review that does it justice for about a week now and I still feel nothing I say will be adequate. 

This is an easy 5+ star read. 

Louise Beech is a very diverse author, approaching each subject with her unique ability to weave a magical story. 

In “This is how we are human” the author explores the complexities of being the parent of a neurodiverse young adult. As a mother of two autistic young men, I found myself in this book! I laughed, I cried and I could utterly relate to Veronica.

When we meet Veronica and Sebastian, we encounter a mother at her wits’ end! All Veronica wants is help with Sebastian’s latest challenging behaviour, just to find the professional as clueless as she feels! Sebastian is 20, he loves swimming, eggs, is handsome, dreams of having sex ... and is autistic! Isabelle is a young nurse in training and has a secret night job. Veronica’s plan to help Sebastian has some unexpected effects on all three of our main characters! 

Louise Beech broaches a subject that most of us parents with differently abled children put off thinking about! As with all her books, the characters are all exquisitely created, the storyline weaves beautifully along and the reader cannot help but be drawn into the Center of the story.

This is one of the most poignant, brilliantly written and profound human interest stories I have read! Really the only advice I have for anyone reading this review is: buy the book!

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Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry - A Bloodhound Books Review

 Deadly Lies

by Ann Girdharry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry is the third book in a series featuring Detective Grant and his team and psychologist Ruby Silver. 

When two little girls are abducted in the middle of the night from their grandparents' house, the team has to race against the clock to find them. During their investigation they uncover some dark secrets. Could the abductor be closer to home than they thought? 

I had not read the first books in this series, so some of the references to older cases and turmoil within the team did not make much sense to me. This did not take away from the story however and was more background information.

The story unfolded at a good pace, however for me, there were too many coincidental "discoveries" and glossed over fact finding, that seemed a little unbelievable and confusing. The detectives put pieces together that had no previous thread to lead them to the discovery. I personally did not find a connection with any of the characters, this could be because I had not read the previous books. 

I would like to thank Bloodhound Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for this review. 

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