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Book Review: The Huntress by Kate Quinn

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 550 pages
Author: Kate Quinn
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: February 26th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, THE ALICE NETWORK, comes another fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.

In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…

Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina’s bravery and cunning will keep her alive.

Transformed by the horrors he witnessed from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials, British war correspondent Ian Graham has become a Nazi hunter. Yet one target eludes him: a vicious predator known as the Huntress. To find her, the fierce, disciplined investigator joins forces with the only witness to escape the Huntress alive: the brazen, cocksure Nina. But a shared secret could derail their mission unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.

Growing up in post-war Boston, seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is determined to become a photographer. When her long-widowed father unexpectedly comes homes with a new fiancée, Jordan is thrilled. But there is something disconcerting about the soft-spoken German widow. Certain that danger is lurking, Jordan begins to delve into her new stepmother’s past—only to discover that there are mysteries buried deep in her family . . . secrets that may threaten all Jordan holds dear.

In this immersive, heart-wrenching story, Kate Quinn illuminates the consequences of war on individual lives, and the price we pay to seek justice and truth. 

BEST ON AUDIO.

This was a hefty book y’all. And one I think is best read on audio because I feel like it helped the pacing a lot more. Some of the middle gets bogged down in sub plots that took awhile to come back around to where this story was always heading towards.

As a surprise to me, this had a great diverse cast! I loved seeing the development of all the relationships and the heartache and trials that come with a wartime romance. I felt all the things and yet was satisfied where the conclusions led to.

I thought the overall intrigue and premise was interesting and I liked much of the buildup and mystery surrounding the Huntress. It had this aura of danger and awareness and those reveals towards the end were fantastic.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: fade to black/closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: antisemitism, racism, threats of sexual assault, murder, bombings, war themes

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Book Review: Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal #1) by Rachel Schneider

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 497 pages
Author: Rachel Schneider
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Brynn has spent the better part of her life waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, the very same people who exiled the Alaha to live a life over the sea. A rite of passage for all young guards, she’s not sure what to expect from it, but breaking a century- long peace treaty certainly isn’t on her map.

Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier.

Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together.

When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything…

…including her heart.

POINTS FOR THE BLINDSIDE.

I, your humble reader, have read over 1,000 fantasy books. AND NOT ONE has had this kind of twist. I am reeeeeeling from it y’all. I LOVE IT. I loved the chaos it caused and how wild the ending became and how I must have my hands on book two NOW.

There were a few issues with the world building and magic system that didn’t make sense. I was able to overlook these enough because of how much I enjoyed having a unique fantasy romance to read.

The romance is heated and tender and I enjoyed the way relationships were conveyed in this world. I liked all of the characters and found the pacing was steady. It flew by and is absolutely worth the download.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Paranormal Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Rachel Moore
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Radcliffe Prep. The third most haunted school in the country, where a student disappearance isn’t uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father.

Not literally, of course. She doesn’t believe in ghosts. Going to her dad’s school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was.

But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe—probably—definitely—a real ghost. And an annoying one at that.

When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library’s secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did.

Except following her father’s footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances aren’t just myth. And if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.

UNBALANCED.

I couldn’t decide where this book was trying to go or trying to be. It young adult, and written in a younger YA style, yet the language and make-out content would be considered somewhere in the older side of the spectrum. This constantly pulled me out of the book because I could never find the right vibe.

Mostly I thought the idea was intriguing. A haunted school, and a mysterious book, etc. I never felt like all of the pieces clicked together though. It was gratefully a quick audio listen and I never hit a hate reading status, just a this isn’t working mode.

Can’t even tell you if this is one to give a try regardless of my rating. If you’re looking for a paranormal (not fantasy) young adult read, hey, maybe this one?

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Paranormal
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: some clothes removed make out
  • Violence: moderate-high

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ARC Book Review: The Fur Trader’s Lady by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 392 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

To escape her guardian’s plans to marry her, Lady Charlotte Fairfax steals away to Montreal to locate Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes her fiancé a debt for saving his life. Even though European women are forbidden from entering the interior, she is desperate to get to her fiancé deep within the northwestern wilderness.

Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.

With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.

Christy Award winner and bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents a new and thrilling historical adventure series set in the heart of the North American wilderness.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

COVER LOVE.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said that I’m obsessed with this cover, but once again, LOVE IT SO MUCH. And I love Gabrielle Meyer’s books a lot too.

This was a great read about a time period and setting that I knew little about prior. The complicated history and dynamics out on the trail and backwoods was interesting to learn about and sparked talking points and thoughts about the story.

I enjoyed the romance. It’s sweet and heated and alllll of the forced proximity is forever my favorite. I loved Charlotte’s tenacity to see herself to a better future and how tender and protective Reid was about caring for her.

This did start to feel a little long and there were a few plot things that didn’t quite work for me, but I thought it was a good start to a new series and I look forward to more stories and characters.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: attempted sexual assault, murder, gun violence, physical altercations, near death experiences

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