The Book Of Two Ways.

 

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Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She's on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband, but a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong. 

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, her beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, where she helps ease the transition between life and death for patients in hospice. 

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she once studied for, but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.
After the crash landing, the airline ensures the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways--the first known map of the afterlife. 

As the story unfolds, Dawn's two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried beside them. Dawn must confront the questions she's never truly asked: What does a life well-lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices...or do our choices make us? And who would you be, if you hadn't turned out to be the person you are right now? 

 

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Family. Love. Choices. 

I have been reading Jodi Picoult for years. A friend told me about her back when I was getting my first degree. I have read most but her recent book. Since I started reading her books, there hasn't been a single of her books that I didn't fall in love with. I bought The Book Of Two Ways last year when it was released, but didn't have a chance to read it until recently. Like all of her other books, I fell in love with The Book Of Two Ways within the first few pages. I wished that I had picked up the book sooner. Jodi Picoult has a specific style for her characters, the story. The Book of Two Ways is unlike any of her books, not what I expected it to be, but so much better. A few times, I read late into the night because I couldn't pull myself away; I needed to know what would happen with Dawn and Wyatt next. 

I could tell how much research has gone into this book. The amount of Egypt history, I learned so much about Egypt just from reading the book. Once I finished the book, I wanted to know more. I love historical fiction books where you get a chance to learn from them. From all of her previous books, this one seemed to have intrigued me the most. When Dawn was in Egypt and Wyatt, my favorite part of the book was more interesting than the present timeline. You could see the connection between Wyatt and Dawn right away. I couldn't help but hope that the two of them would find a way to each other. I knew that Brian loved Dawn, but there wasn't any connection and love Dawn and Wyatt had. I wondered what would happen if she didn't leave Egypt all those years ago. 

I went through mixed emotions while reading this book. The Book Of Two Ways touched me in many different ways. The descriptions had me imagine being there in Egypt and wishing that I could visit. The timeline between present and past was a bit confusing at times, maybe because it was written. The Book Of Two Ways is a book that I see myself picking up in the future. One of the best historical fiction that I have read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I would highly recommend it. I cannot wait what Jodi Picoult has in store for us next.

These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows,#1)

 

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                       CONTAINS SPOILERS

Brie hates the Fae and refuses to have anything to do with them, even if that means starving on the street. But when her sister is sold to the sadistic king of the Unseelie court to pay a debt, she'll do whatever it takes to get her back—including making a deal with the king himself to steal three magical relics from the Seelie court. 

Gaining unfettered access to the Seelie court is easier said than done. Brie's only choice is to pose as a potential bride for Prince Ronan, and she soon finds herself falling for him. Unwilling to let her heart distract her, she accepts help from a band of Unseelie misfits with their own secret agenda. As Brie spends time with their mysterious leader, Finn, she struggles to resist his seductive charm. 

Caught between two dangerous courts, Brie must decide who to trust with her loyalty. And with her heart. 

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Magic. Love. Friendship. Betrayal. 

This story has everything that I love about fantasy. A story about Fae is one of my favorites in the fantasy book. Once again, I'm at a loss for words after reading These Hollow Vows ; there was so much about this book that I loved. Don't you love the title? These Hollow Vows , you cannot help but be curious and wonder about the story behind it. The title and the cover captured my attention, and I picked up the book. Since I had never read a book by this author, I didn't have high expectations for this book. I wish that I had. Within a chapter, I felt I was taken on the journey, along with Brie. There was so much happening through the book, and I imagined it all as if I was there. 

Brie. It was hard not to like her. She’s brave. She went through so much to save her sister. I did wonder how Sebastian was going to react when he found that she had lied to him multiple times. I liked him, at least in the beginning, and hoped that he and Brie would end up together. Halfway through the book, I started to suspect that something wasn’t ‘right’ about him and that Brie shouldn’t trust him. I was hoping that Brie would see through it before it was too late. During the bonding ceremony, I knew that he wasn’t telling her just how he was acting, despite how much pain Brie was in. That last scene in the book, oh man. It makes me wish that the next book was out to see what happens next. 

The descriptions in the book were so vivid. When I started the book, I had finals going on, and I had to force myself to put the book down and study. I still cannot get the book out of my mind. It’s breathtaking and not a story that you will be able to get out of your mind. If you love young adult fantasy, I would highly recommend checking this book out.

The Maidens.

 

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Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge. 

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld? 

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life. 

 

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I love murder mysteries. In general, I loved puzzles since I read Nancy Drew in middle school. I can be picky when it comes to mysteries books; I want to keep on guessing who the killer is. I love the mystery aspect of it. I didn’t know if I would enjoy this book or not, The Maidens is the first book that I read by Alex Michaelides . When I read the synopsis of the book, it sounded like the book that I would enjoy. I wasn’t disappointed. The Maidens kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. There were few slow parts at the beginning of the book, but those did not last long. Before I knew it, I couldn’t get enough of the story and had trouble putting the book down. Greek mythology was always fascinating to me. I loved that The Maidens had some of the Greek mythology in the mix, making the book even more interesting to read. 

I loved the description, the imaginary in the book. The descriptions of Cambridge and how dark the atmosphere got as murders occurred. Like Mariana, I started to become suspicious of Edward Fosca based on how he acted. From the moment that he was introduced, I had a feeling that there wasn’t something right about him. The fact that he seemed to have a selected favorite student that should be a red flag. I had a feeling that he was involved when the girls from his group started to get murdered. However, I love the lengths that Mariana went to help her niece, Zoe. I did have a feeling that Zoe was hiding something, keeping it from Mariana. But the revelation wasn’t what I expected it to be. The ending, another shocking revelation. The murderer was the last person I thought it would, and that’s what I loved about the ending; the unexpected. 

I’m eager to read Alex Michaelides another novel now. I can’t help but be curious about it. If you love a murder mystery with some mix of Greek mythology, The Maidens is worth checking out. You will be on the edge of the seat until the end.

Kingdom Of The Wicked(Kingdom Of The Wicked, #1)

 

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                  CONTAINS SPOILERS

Two sisters. 

One brutal murder. 

 A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself… 

And an intoxicating romance. 

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe—witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin… desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden. 

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked Princes of Hell that she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems… 

 

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 Mysterious. Gripping. 

How am I supposed to wait until October to find out what happens next? I was expecting a thrilling ride when I picked up Kingdom Of The Wicked , but I wasn’t prepared for how much of an exciting ride it will be. This is the 2nd series that I have read by Kerri Maniscalco , and as you guessed, I am in love with her stories, her writing. I loved Stalking Jack The Ripper , and I had a feeling that I was going to love this one. Kingdom Of The Wicked was different and felt as it wasn’t as graphic as the first one was. I love books about demons, witches. Through the years, I have read multiple versions of witches and demons. I felt that Kingdom Of The Wicked portrayed demons and witches how they should be shown. From all the books that I have read, I never read a version anywhere close to this one. 

Kingdom Of The Wicked isn’t an easy book to put down. When you’re sure that you found a good spot, something else happens, keeping you reading for hours. I lost count of how many times I have done that while reading the book. I did feel that the beginning had a slow start. However, once Vittoria’s body is discovered, that’s when things start to get more interesting. I cannot even begin to imagine what was going through Emilia’s mind at that moment, to find your sister that way... There were so many thoughts that were going through my mind when Emilia found her. The emotions that she was feeling at that moment; it was as if I was experiencing them too, the horror, the grief. I don’t blame Emilia for wanting revenge. I just hoped that she knew what she was doing when she decided to use dark magic. 

I knew there was something different about Wrath, even though it was Prince of Hell. I couldn’t figure what was different about him, but I knew that there was something. Like Emilia, I didn’t trust him initially; after all, he is the demon. However, when he kept coming to Emilia’s rescue, I knew that he cared about her more than he cared to admit. The two of them were constantly arguing with one another, and that’s what made the story between the two of them exciting. I’m eager to see what happens next in Kingdom Of The Cursed , even if not sure if I can wait that long. I am excited to see what Emilia, Wrath will have to face next.

The Lost Apothecary.

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A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary… 

 
Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries. 

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.

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Magical. Mysterious. 

I have been hearing about The Lost Apothecary since it was released earlier in the year. I have come across few good reviews about this book. I reserved a copy from my library a while back, but there was a long waitlist. As a result, I was drawn into the story only a few moments after reading it. The Lost Apothecary is the book that will have you hooked from behind until the end. When I started reading the book, I found it hard to put the book down. More than once, one more chapter turned into five more. For me, it was hard to find an excellent place to stop. Every chapter had me craving for more because I wanted to know what’s going to happen next. Dual point of view books is becoming popular, I have read multiple books like that recently. I enjoy those. The Lost Apothecary wasn’t different, and I loved that it went between the 1700s and to the present time. The dual point of view connected, which made it even more interesting to read. 

I enjoyed Caroline’s point of view and the mystery behind it. However, Nella and Eliza’s point of view was more interesting to read, and I felt much more happening. I loved the mystery behind the poisons. I always wondered if one of those days, she will be discovered that she’s the one that is making poisons. Suppose there is a chance that the wrong person would be given the poison. Most of all, I was curious why Nella started to make the poisons first; what had happened to her to go in that direction. I loved the bond between Eliza and Nella. It did seem like sometimes Nella didn’t want Eliza around, but I know that it was because she was trying to protect her. When I read Eliza and Nella’s point of view, it always left me wondering what would happen next. 

I don’t think that The Lost Apothecary is a historical fiction fantasy, but it did have some magical realism aspect to the parts of the story. I knew that I would like this story, but I did not realize how much I would love it. I loved that the story took place in London, where I want to visit one day. This is unlike any other historical fiction that I have read this past year, but that’s what I love about it; it’s different. I can’t wait to see what Sarah Penner adventure will take us on next.