Because paradise is a library
Jaye, however, did a tremendous job here. Her writing style is poignant yet delicate, crafting The Attic Child with slow, sure strokes. Every word has been chosen with care and delivered with a strength that leaves you staggering. Staggering while asking for more.
Let me be as clear as possible here: Fu’s stronger point is her style. It’s beautiful, with a unique pacing and a rhythm that amazed me from start to finish. It’s lyrical, almost poetic, and yet precise. I mean, I can’t believe Peach Blossom Spring is her first novel: Fu proves to be a top-notch wordsmith already, achieving quality levels other authors can only dream of—yeah, even the more experienced ones.
The second installment in the Resistance series, Equality brings back our favorite French couple, Sabine and Hérisson. Still double POV, and once again both characters have powerful voices. This time I prefer Hérisson’s arc because his character growth is even more pronounced than it was in Liberty. Sabine, though! Sabine reads as the core of the story, and I love her ability to face every issue with bravery. Her spirit is the real backbone of this book.
Covering recent historical events is not an easy feat. Both authors and readers might be emotionally biased about it, and that could affect the entire experience—that’s one reason why I’m careful when selecting such stories.
ve into WWII and the French resistance. Sabine and Hérisson have to navigate through a dangerous historical moment, balancing their private lives and the ongoing war.
The long and the short of If It Rains is, it blew me away. Complex story, complex characters, an unsympathetic MC, entwined subplots, and splendid growth arcs. What’s not to love?
Technically, The Helsingør Sewing Club is almost perfect. No grammar mistakes, no imperfections, good syntax—Gyland’s writing skills are superior to the average. The characters are interesting too, with a captivating mix of sympathetic vs. unsympathetic in both timelines; plus, Inger and Cecile have powerful personalities, and they read as flawless as they can be. My favorite part is the historical one, but that’s just a matter of personal tastes.
A Very Modern Marriage is the third installment of The Ladies of Carson Street series, but it reads as a standalone–with a plus! Brimble is skilled enough to avoid infodumps at the beginning, giving us selected info if and when we need them. A breath of fresh air, that is.
J.P. O’Connell does a pleasant job in that department. The descriptions and the mannerisms are accurate and historically on-point. There isn’t even any mistake in the sentences spoken in Italian, which is worthy of a full star in itself
Once again, I jumped headfirst into a series, uncaring of the previous installments. To be fair, I always had such an inclination, but I thought I could control myself better in my old age, right? Right. Anyway!