Recommendation
Audiobook Review: Circle of Magic - Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce
Set in a different universe than Tortall, The Circle of Magic quartet centers around four unusual young mages. Sandry, a noble whose parents died recently, has power with thread, from spinning and weaving to simple knot-tying. Daja, a Trader, is the only survivor of a shipwreck in which her family drowned. Declared to be bad luck and banned from life with other Traders, she is free to learn to work metals and, through metal, to work magic. Tris, the merchant’s daughter, is no orphan, but her family doesn’t want her. Briar is a street rat, a thief and convict. Only at the temple city of Winding Circle does he learn that his strange love of growing things is more than a need to garden. Brought together in a house inside the temple city’s walls, watched over by the mages Lark, Rosethorn, Frostpine, and Niko, the four struggle to be friends, to exercise their magic, and to survive. Each book centers on one of the four, but make no mistake: they are bound tightly together, and the events that affect each of them also strengthen their connections to one another. Check out the rest of the quartet here and the universe here. --- The Circle of Magic universe has its roots in the medieval Middle East and Central Asia: a crossroads of cultures and peoples, where trade and the pursuit of knowledge bring four ends of a vast continent together. Beginning with Winding Circle Temple in the city of Summersea, four young people from very different walks of life come together for an education. One is a merchant’s daughter who discovers a fantastic magical talent for manipulating the weather. One is the daughter of a people who live by trade alone, the sole survivor of her family’s ship, the possessor of the power to work metal in many ways. The third is a nobleman’s daughter, the great-niece of Summersea’s ruler, whose unladylike preoccupation with sewing, weaving, and the manipulation of anything resembling thread is revealed to be pure magic. And the fourth is a boy, reared on the streets as a thief, rescued from slave labor to discover he has magic with plants and the making of medicines. Taught by mage (wizard) teachers at Winding Circle Temple’s school and beyond, these four grow to adulthood learning about their world, coming under attack by pirates and plague, journeying out to a city beset by fire and a kingdom haunted by strange beings, and learning the ways of the great and powerful in foreign courts. Together or apart, with their beloved teachers or new friends, the four always find new experiences, and new mages with talents even more unusual than their own!
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
Enter at your own risk—and discover the greatest show unearthed in this explosive, darkly imaginative debut fantasy… For humans, the circus is a place filled with wonder and amazement. For Harrow, though, it’s a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. Disguising her abilities as part of her act has kept her true identity safe for years. Until he arrives. A strange new attraction with no name, no memory of who—or even what—he is, let alone an explanation for his odd yet deadly powers. But beneath the layers of anger and isolation, one glimpse into his inky eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in her own. And so she chooses him. Harrow is drawn to the darkness, to her insatiable need to soothe the beast who threatens their very existence. But with every secret she unlocks from his past, another from hers whispers free as well—luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she’s afraid she’s given them the perfect weapon against her…because he’s not what he seems. But maybe it’s time they finally learn—neither is she.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Audiobook Review: The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury
Humor and heart shine in this middle grade fantasy about a girl who attends a boarding school to learn how to use music to create magic, perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil series. Amelia Jones always dreamed of attending the Mystwick School of Musicraft, where the world’s most promising musicians learn to create magic. So when Amelia botches her audition, she thinks her dream has met an abrupt and humiliating end—until the school agrees to give her a trial period. Amelia is determined to prove herself, vowing to do whatever it takes to become the perfect musician. Even if it means pretending to be someone she isn’t. Meanwhile, a mysterious storm is brewing that no one, not even the maestros at Mystwick, is prepared to contain. Can Amelia find the courage to be true to herself in time to save her beloved school from certain destruction?
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
"2 Exciting New Nonfiction Books released in February 2023"
1. "The Climate Book" by Greta Thunberg is an essential and comprehensive handbook that provides insights and guidance on how humanity can address the urgent challenges of climate change and work toward a sustainable future. Known for her role as a prominent climate activist, Thunberg brings together the voices and knowledge of scientists, historians, engineers, philosophers, and other experts in this book, offering a multifaceted perspective on the climate crisis and the systemic issues that have contributed to it.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
"Yellowface": A Compelling Critique of Race, Writing, and Publishing
When I first found R. F. Kuang’s 2023 novel Yellowface on Goodreads while browsing Asian American books earlier this year, I immediately requested a hold for it at my library. Although it’s easy for writers to write about writers, I have a soft spot for those stories. Combined with the novel’s exploration of cultural appropriation and the invisibility of Asian American voices, Yellowface promised to be a compelling read.
By J. S. Wong2 years ago in BookClub
Is "The Maid" The Best Mystery & Thriller of 2022?
It’s been a long time since I picked up a mystery or thriller novel. Having read my fair share of the genre over the years, I got burned out after seeing similar plots and concepts. However, after receiving a recommendation to read The Maid, I decided to give it a chance. It helped that Nita Prose’s debut novel had high ratings and was also winner of the Best Mystery and Thriller Novel for the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards.
By J. S. Wong2 years ago in BookClub
The Vanishing Act: A Thrilling Journey Through Loss, Love, and Lies: A Review
Lisa Jewell’s "Then She Was Gone" is a chilling masterpiece that skillfully weaves together suspense, mystery, and emotion. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a world where nothing is as it seems, and every twist and turn keeps them on the edge of their seats. In this review, we delve into what makes this book an absolute must-read.
By RAJEEV VERMA2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: Guns and Almond Milk by Mustafa Marwan
Meet Luke Archer, a British Egyptian doctor who struggles to be from two worlds at the same time. He's working in one of the world's most dangerous hospitals in Yemen. When rebel forces take over the city, a group of Western mercenaries take refuge inside the hospital and Luke and his team find themselves in the middle of a deadly clash. To make matters worse, leading the mercenaries is an unwelcome figure from Luke's past. After years saving the lives of others, Luke needs to face the demons of his past in order to save his own. Set in the UK and Yemen, Guns and Almond Milk is a literary thriller that deals with identity, diversity and old coins of arguable value. It's The Sympathizer mixed with M.A.S.H by the way of Ramy. A Page Turner Award finalist.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
"2 Exciting New Nonfiction Books released in February 2023 Part II"
1. "A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing From Soil to Stars" is a captivating anthology edited by Erin Sharkey that brings together a series of essays from Black writers, each exploring the complex relationship between nature and Black history, culture, and identity. This collection presents a unique and multifaceted perspective on the natural world, blending personal experiences with historical context to create a rich tapestry of stories that challenge traditional narratives of nature writing.
By Akale Mandundu2 years ago in BookClub
Is "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" Worth The Hype?
I’ve seen The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo everywhere from social media to bookstore endcaps to book-related emails promoting buzzworthy reads. Although I don’t seek out historical fiction, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel intrigued me. Along with the high ratings, the premise of an enigmatic movie star reminded me of one of my favorite novels, The Life and Death of Sophie Stark, featuring a troubled filmmaker, so I hoped Evelyn Hugo would be similarly enjoyable.
By J. S. Wong2 years ago in BookClub
Rachel Reviews: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Ah, John Boyne. I know that I will never be disappointed picking up one of his books. He is a great storyteller and his books, the ones which are specifically focused on Ireland, seem to have the most depth and the most feeling. Is this just coincidence? I don't think so. I think Ireland is important, because out of the four books by Boyne I've read, the most intense for me as a reader have both been set in Ireland: this one and A History of Loneliness.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
