Lady Tan's Circle Of Women.

 

★★★★★

 

An immersive historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China. 

According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient. 

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus , they tell from adversity beauty can bloom.
But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights. 

How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today. 

 

 🌼

 
Remarkable. Motivating. 

I read Lady Tan's Circle Of Women for the Historical Fiction Book Club. I haven't heard of the book, but I've been hearing about the author, Lisa See. I understand why readers are talking about this book. Have you ever encountered a book that made such an impression that you couldn't stop recommending it to friends? Lady Tan’s Circle Of Women was one of those books for me. As you read the story, you will be transported to 15th-century China. I enjoyed how this was based on real-life women physician from the 15th century and the author's annotations at the end. This book may be fictional, but it was a learning experience, and I even conducted my research afterward. I've been reading historical fiction for years and have read a variety of them. Still, this one is the most unique of them all. 

The descriptions and details in Lady Tan's Circle of Women tell you how well-researched it is. I can only imagine the amount of research Lisa See put into her story, which engages the reader while at the same time educating them. One of my favorite types of historical fiction is the one where you learn something. My first book set in China was Lady Tan's Circle of Women , which I found to be really engaging throughout the entire story. loved this story's medical element, how it's different now from the past, and the various methods that have been employed, especially during labor. Because this novel was so descriptive, I was able to see everything as it was happening. I learned a lot about the women's and husband's roles back then, which were very different from what they are today. 

Yunixan was my favorite character in the book, and she established herself as a physician. Despite her challenges, it didn’t stop her from trying to help others. I admired the women's friendships, particularly Yunixan and Meilling, who met at a young age and stayed friends for years. I loved that the two women were there for each other and supported one another. I learned much more about the culture and women's roles at the period than I knew before reading the book. I was grateful for the opportunity to read Lady Tan's Circle Of Women , a challenging but important read. I am eager to check out the rest of Lisa  See books.

Only The Brave.

 

 

★★★★

Sophia Alexander, the beautiful daughter of a famous surgeon in Berlin, has had to grow up faster than most young women. When her mother falls ill, Sophia must take charge of her younger sister, Theresa, and look after her father and the household, while also volunteering at his hospital after school. Meanwhile, Hitler’s rise to power and the violence in her very own town have Sophia concerned, but only her mother is willing to share her fears openly. 

After tragedy strikes and her mother dies, Sophia becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and helping however she can. Circumstances become increasingly dangerous and personal when Sophia assists her sister’s daring escape from Germany, fleeing Germany with her young husband and his family. Her father also begins to resist the regime, secretly healing those hiding from persecution, only to have his hospital burned to the ground. When he is arrested and sent to a concentration camp, Sophia is truly on her own, but more determined than ever to help. 

While working as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, Sophia continues her harrowing efforts to transport Jewish children to safety and finds herself under surveillance. As the political tensions rise and the brutal oppression continues, Sophia is undeterred, risking it all, even her own freedom, as she rises to the challenge of helping those in need—no matter the cost.

 

 🌼

I'd heard about Danielle Steel for years, and I don't know why it took me so long to read a book by her, but I'm glad I finally had a chance to. Only The Brave isn't the first novel I've read about World War II, and it won't be the last. The subject was different from earlier WWII books I'd read because the main character, Sophia, was a nun or was in the process of becoming one. While reading the book, I, like the others, wondered if Sophia wanted to be a nun, or if she imagined she did. I wondered if she became a nun because she believed it was the only way to serve God and help others. Sophia's determination was one of my favorite characteristics. Regardless of what others told her or tried to sway her mind, she was determined to follow through because it was what she meant to do. 

It was difficult not to love Sophia. She went through so much, and I can't imagine going through half of it. Despite everything she had faced and the horror of it, she kept going and never considered giving up. I rooted for her all through the book. There were a few moments when I was frightened for her, and I was afraid that what she was doing was putting herself in danger and would finally get her caught. I enjoyed all the descriptions and the book, and I felt all the emotions that all the characters were feeling; it was as if I was going through everything they were. A few parts in the book were dragging on or repeating, but they usually didn't last long. 

There are so many words I could use to express how I feel about this book, but I wouldn't know where to start. When I picked up this book, I didn't have big expectations because I hadn't read this author before. The book Only the Brave exceeded my expectations. I'm intrigued to read the author's other works. I suggest this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Before She Ignites(Fallen Isles,#1)

 

 

★★★★

Before  

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.
But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

 
After

 
Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect. 

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

🌼

 
Magical. 

I love books about dragons. Something about dragons draws me in, and I'll read any book about them. Through the years, I have read multiple books about Dragons. I had to pick it up when I discovered this book deals with Dragons. I originally read this book in 2017 but reread it because it had been a while, and I wanted to read the other books in the series. When I started reading Before She Ignites, I recognized why I enjoyed it the first time. The plot draws you in, captivates you, and keeps you reading for hours. The first few chapters of the book were slow, and it took me a while to get into the story. However, as the story picked up, I couldn't get enough of the story and the characters. Mira's emotions were strong and realistic, and I felt her fear and pain. 

I liked Mira but felt terrible for what she endured in the pit. I kept praying that she and everyone else in the pit would find a way to escape. I like the conversations and connections between most of the characters in the novel, particularly Mira and her cellmates. I admired Mira's refusal to give up on the idea of escape, even when it was tempting to do so. Mira was the book's most developed and transformed character from the beginning. My favorite moment was Mira and Aaru's relationship and connection. Even before they met, you could tell they were special. They helped each other at the most terrible times. I’m eager to see what else may develop between the two of them. 

Dragons played a smaller role in the first novel than I had anticipated. They were usually mentioned during flashbacks and sometimes while Mira was in the pit. Flashbacks were a little unusual initially because of how they were written. I loved the book, particularly the second half and ending. I am curious to see what awaits Mira and her friends next.

Cursed Moon(Star Touched: Wolf Born, #3)

 

 

★★★★

 4.5 ★

Ruby Grace has had enough. 

 
She’s been rejected by her fated mate. Forced to blood bond with a vampire. And erased from existence by dark witches. 

She’s not going to take it anymore. 

She’s sick of all the powerful supernaturals using her for their advantage.
When all this began, she thought being gifted with unique magic from the gods would make all her dreams come true. But being star touched has been nothing but a nightmare. 

Now, just as she’s making a plan to turn her life around, the dark witches of the Blood Coven come to her with a deal. 

They want the Key of Hades—an ancient artifact that can resurrect the dead. If Ruby helps them retrieve it, they’ll reverse the spell that made the entire world forget her existence. 

However, finding the key won’t be easy. Ruby will have to sneak into the fae realm to complete trials that will test her physical strength, mental endurance, and push her far beyond her breaking point. 

The one piece of good news? She won’t going alone. Tristan, Hazel, and Benjamin will be joining her. But she has to admit: she’d feel a whole lot better if her fated mate, Connor, was along for the mission. They have unfinished business, and this quest might be their only chance to mend their mate bond before it’s too late. 

And thanks to a strange twist of fate, Ruby might just get her wish.
Connor, however, may not be her biggest problem. The fae realm soon proves to be far more dangerous than the witches let on—and filled with more surprises than Ruby ever imagined. 

 

 🌼

 
Spectacular. 

I've been reading Michelle Madow's books since I discovered her in 2012. I should not have been surprised, but Michelle Madow surprised me again. I read Cursed Moon on an 11-hour flight in one day. I couldn't get enough, and a twist kept me turning the pages just when I thought I'd put it down. I was captivated by every page and wondered when Connor would come to terms with the fact that he needed to be with Ruby; he seemed to be living in denial, and at least, that was how I felt about him. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen between Ruby and Connor if they finally get together. 

Autumn. I did not like her when she was initially introduced, and I still do not like her. I realize she was jealous of Ruby because she is Connor's mate, but that doesn't justify attempting to interfere with their connection. Part of me hoped Connor would discover what she had done and see Autumn for who she was. I knew that if Connor learned what she had done, it would certainly mean the end of their relationship. On the other hand, I admire Tristan and love how he cares about Ruby. I don't believe Ruby cares about him as much as Tristan cares about her, and I have a feeling he would do anything for her. I know that if Ruby ends up with Connor, Tristan will be heartbroken. I'm eager to see which of the two Ruby will end up with. 

There was so much happening in Cursed Moon , and one of the reasons that I kept on turning the pages. I was intrigued to see if they could obtain the Key of Hades and what challenges they might encounter in doing so. I loved Ruby; despite what was happening and what she was going through, she kept going, not keeping her from her goal. At the end of this novel, I was most intrigued by Ruby's reaction, and I couldn't help but worry how much it would impact things. I'm excited to see the end of Ruby and Connor's journey.

The Summer Pact.

 

 

★★★

 3.5 ★

 

Four freshmen arrive at college from completely different worlds: Lainey, a California party girl with a flair for drama; Tyson, a brilliant scholar and law school hopeful from D.C.; Summer, a recruited athlete and perfectionist from the Midwest; and Hannah, a mild-mannered southerner who is content to quietly round out the circle of big personalities. Soon after moving into their shared dorm, they strike up a conversation in a study lounge, and the seeds of friendship are planted. 

As their college years fly by, their bond intensifies and the four become inseparable. But as graduation nears, their lives are forever changed after a desperate act leads to tragic consequences. Stunned and heartbroken, a pact is made to be there for each other in their time of need, no matter how separated they are by circumstances or distance. 

Ten years later, Hannah is anticipating what should be one of the happiest moments of her life when everything is suddenly turned upside down. Calling on her closest friends, it soon becomes clear that they are facing their own crossroads. True to their promise, they agree to take a time out from lives headed in wrong directions and embark on a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and acceptance. 

In this tender portrayal of grief, love, and hope, Emily Giffin asks: When things fall apart, who will be at our sides to help pick up the pieces? 

 

 🌼

 
I enjoyed this book, even if it wasn't what I expected. I wasn't sure what I expected but given how popular it was and the waitlist, I had high expectations for this book. It wasn't that I didn't like the book; I enjoyed the most of it, just not as much as I expected. The beginning of The Summer Pact drew me in and sparked my interest in the story. I kept flipping the pages, wondering where the three friends would wind up on their road trip. I loved how the story was delivered from multiple viewpoints, which helped me understand each character more. Tyson was my favorite among the three characters. I didn't dislike Lainey or Hannah, but there was something about that I didn't like. 

I didn't like how Hannah forced Lainey to meet her sisters. I understand why she did, but I feel like she didn't even allow Lainey to make her own decision. That was one of the things that I didn’t like about Hannah. Lainey, I didn't always like how she interacted with people, especially when they tried to help her. I felt that some of the characters' storylines were rushed. By the middle of the novel, the pace slowed, and there was less action than I had anticipated. I still enjoyed reading the book, but I felt the story dragged on the multiple parts. 

I really enjoyed the book's ending and reading about the friend's road trip. There should have been more character building in the beginning, instead of them meeting to graduation and not giving us a chance to get to know each character or witness their friendship blossom. The Summer Pact is my first novel by Emily Griffin , and I'm excited to read more of her books.

Middle Of The Night.

 

 

★★★★

 4.5 ★

 

The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had sliced the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.

Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul de sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playing a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle? 

The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed monsters roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate. 

The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place—be it quiet forest or suburban street—is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present. 

 

 🌼

  Mysterious. 

This novel took me by surprise. When I first took up this book, I wasn't sure what to think. I have only read two books written by Riley Sager. You will be captivated by the story from the first page. As a reader, you will wonder, 'Who took Billy?' and 'What was their motive?' At least, those were the questions I kept asking myself while reading the book. Like Ethan, I wanted to know what happened to Billy. I wondered if there was a reason why someone took him; perhaps someone disliked him or was jealous of him? Like Ethan, I wonder if Billy is still alive after all these years, or at least I want to believe he is. I couldn't believe that a ten-year-old boy went missing from someone's backyard and no one saw anything. I had considered that it was someone Billy knew and trusted. 

I enjoyed how the story alternated between the past and the present. Even though the plot moved to the day Billy went missing, it became more intriguing. By middle of the story, I was suspicious of almost everybody in Hemlock Circle, and I knew that each of them was hiding something. By the middle of the story, I had grown skeptical of nearly everyone in Hemlock Circle and was certain that they were all hiding something. The reveal was not at all what I had assumed had happened to Billy. I was just as surprised by this unexpected turn of events as Ethan had been. Once you start reading Middle of the Night, it's not a book that you can put down easily. 

I did feel like some parts dragged on, but just for a few pages. Otherwise, I like this story, and I can see why so many people were talking about it. I'm delighted I had the chance to read this book. I'm eager to see what the author has in store for us next.

Maria.

 

 

★★★★

 4.5 ★

 Thank you to publisher, Random House Publishing /Dell for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 

Maria von Trapp. You know the name and the iconic songs, but do you know her real story? This dramatic novel, based on the woman glamorized in The Sound of Music, brings Maria to life as never before. 

In the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein is asked to write the lyrics to a musical based on the life of a woman named Maria von Trapp. He’s intrigued to learn that she was once a novice who hoped to live quietly as an Austrian nun before her abbey sent her away to teach a widowed baron’s sickly child. What should have been a ten-month assignment, however, unexpectedly turned into a marriage proposal. And when the family was forced to flee their home to escape the Nazis, it was Maria who instructed them on how to survive using nothing but the power of their voices. 

It’s an inspirational story, to be sure, and as half of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein duo, Hammerstein knows it has big Broadway potential. Yet much of Maria’s life will have to be reinvented for the stage, and with the horrors of war still fresh in people’s minds, Hammerstein can’t let audiences see just how close the von Trapps came to losing their lives. 

But when Maria sees the script that is supposedly based on her life, she becomes so incensed that she sets off to confront Hammerstein in person. Told that he’s busy, she is asked to express her concerns to his secretary, Fran, instead. The pair strike up an unlikely friendship as Maria tells Fran about her life, contradicting much of what will eventually appear in The Sound of Music. 

A tale of love, loss, and the difficult choices that we are often forced to make, Maria is a powerful reminder that the truth is usually more complicated—and certainly more compelling—than the stories immortalized by Hollywood.

 🌼

 
A few months ago, I received an email from the publisher inviting me to read and review the ARC of an upcoming novel, Maria. I finally got around to reading the book and finished it yesterday. Once again, I'm at a loss for words after reading this beautifully written story. My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner. I was captivated by Maria's story from beginning to end. When it came to an end, I halted because I didn't want it to end; I didn't want to say goodbye to all the characters I'd grown to love. I watched The Sound of Music in high school but wasn't unaware of the story behind the idea. Reading Maria and learning about Maria Von Trapp and her family made me want to watch the movie again. How could I not want to see the movie again? 

I enjoyed how Maria was presented differently in real life than in the movie. It didn't change my opinion of the movie, but reading the book made me see Maria and her husband from an entirely different perspective. While reading the book, I remembered some songs and pictured the Von Trapp family singing them. I didn't appreciate Maria's treatment of her family, especially Rosemarie. I enjoyed how Maria's and Fran's stories portrayed their emotions. My favorite aspect of the novel was Maria's interaction with the children; it was clear how much she loved them. 

I felt that the end was a little slow. However, I enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book, where she clarified everything and provided much more detail about the characters behind the book. I could have finished it sooner if it hadn't been for school and studying. I'm delighted I got the opportunity to read this book. This is a novel you won't forget.