Book Review: Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

March 5, 2024August 19, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 544 pages
Author: R.F. Kuang
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: August 23rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a historical fantasy epic that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British Empire

Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world’s center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide . . .

Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO READ THIS?

Well I do know why, I didn’t love the conclusion to The Poppy War series, but I heard too many good things about this book not to give an [eventual] go, AND HERE WE ARE.

I loved it.

I loved how complex it was. I would sit there and be in absolute awe that R.F. Kuang created this amazing story. I felt like I learned so much and with the audio it really came alive (highly recommend this route, I think it saved me from thinking it was too slow).

Robin Swift is the definition of a tangled character. Going through everything he does and choosing some good and some bad decisions. I loved following his story and the intensity at which I felt for the high and low moments. Some of those moments towards the end had my heart breaking. There is so much I could discuss but also no way I could fit it into a review, if you’ve gotten this far just know YOU SHOULD READ IT.

I felt a whole range of emotions reading this and this dark academia story is a new favorite.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Fantasy
Language: some strong
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, murder, colonization, war themes, discussions of slavery, physical abuse, racism, xenophobia, colorism, mentions of suicide, inhuman work conditions, police brutality, brief sexual assault, misogyny, anxiety depiction

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Book Review: Mr. Gardiner and the Governess (Clairvoir Castle Romances #1) by Sally Britton

March 4, 2024February 24, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 228 pages
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Pink Citrus Books
Release Date: November 25th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A duke’s governess, a gentleman entomologist, and a castle full of flowers is the perfect setting for a summer romance.
As the new governess to the duke’s family, Alice Sharpe must learn to control her impulsiveness. Employment in the duke’s household is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and could mean living in comfort the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her first encounter with the duke’s houseguest, a handsome gentleman obsessed with insects, proves she may not be ready for the austere role of governess.

Rupert Gardiner has one goal: to have his work in entomology and botany published by the Royal Society. He is fortunate that the Duke of Montfort, believes in him and enlists Rupert to make a record of all the flora on the castle grounds. But Miss Sharpe’s spontaneity and continual appearance during his work is an annoying distraction. At least, that’s what he tells himself.

While Alice struggles to adapt to her new role, constantly striving to go unnoticed while still being herself, she cannot help but admire Rupert’s intelligence and focus. The more often they fall in together, the more her admiration deepens. But could a gentleman such as he ever fall in love with the governess?

As the first stand-alone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story begins the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted series set in the Regency period.

THIS WAS CUTE.

What a quick and delightful read I got to listen to today. I adored the fact that this had unique jobs for both characters! Well, I know governess is pretty common, but paired with an entomologist?? In the regency period? YES. I thought it was so fun (even if bug creep me out). There was a different flair to the whole story having both of them as part of the working class and it was probably my favorite aspect.

The romance was adorable. A very low angst, slow build full of good moments. It’s gentle for the soul and something I would easily recommend if you’re needing a pick me up. I loved watching Alice grow over the book and learn that she has value and deserves to be loved just as much as anyone else.

And can we talk about the Duke?? I know he was an older side character but it was my absolute favorite little tid bit that he was so incredibly kind!! He cared for his children, looked after the main characters and I thought that was a great addition to the story as a whole.

Overall audience notes:

Regency Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: none
Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted assault (very brief unwanted wrist grab), loss of parents (off page)

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Book Review: Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

February 28, 2024February 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: New Adult Romance
Length: 443 pages
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Amazon
Release Date: January 4th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy crashes headlong into new-comer Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit.

Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young friend behind. Many years go by and Samuel returns, finding Josie in need of the very things she offered him years before. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go.

Deeply romantic and poignant, Running Barefoot is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind them to their homes and families, and the love that gives them wings.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

Good heavens. Amy Harmon is already one of my top 5 favorite authors EVER. And there’s very few backlist books I haven’t gotten to yet. This was one of them and let me tell y’all, it was just as amazing as I could have hoped for (and I loved the audiobook).

This story is full of young love, a lot of heart break, and the power of reconnection and that deep soul bond that can form with someone. I loved Samuel and Josie’s story. It has the aura of innocence (without crossing any lines) that breaks away (years later) into this match that was always meant to be. Easily found myself tearing up, as one does when reading Harmon books, and the beauty of her words.

A super romantic story. An amazing character in Josie, who’s had to do so much for so many others that she forgets to do something for herself. And Samuel who rises from his own turmoil to become the person he wanted to be for Josie. THIS IS LOVE. It is incredible.

Overall audience notes:

New Adult Romance
Language: a little
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse (off page), animal birth, loss of multiple loved ones, a loved one with dementia, brief war mentions

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Book Review: Sensibly Wed (Bradwell Brothers #1) by Kasey Stockton

February 26, 2024February 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Felicity Thurston is caught alone with a man at a ball, she must marry him to avoid a ruined reputation. What she doesn’t know—he’s the brother of the man she loves.

I, Felicity Thurston, suffer from an incurable case of nerves. They attack with great zeal when I find myself the center of attention, regardless of whether or not I have taken measures to subdue them, and they have often made social gatherings unbearable. So when I met a man last summer who connected with me on a deeper level, I was certain at once that he could be the one. Henry Bradwell was both easy to converse with and an avid reader, and I spent the last eight months determining how I might contrive to further our acquaintance.

So when I snuck out of the ballroom during a veritable squeeze and found myself alone with a gentleman, it was my desire to vacate the room before we were discovered. Fate had other plans. Leading gossips of the ton discovered us in what appeared to be an intimate embrace, and to save both of our families’ good names, we opted to marry.

It was only after agreeing to the wedding that I discovered my husband-to-be was not only a Bradwell man, but a brother to the man I love. And there is nothing I can do about it now.

I LOVED THIS.

Which took me by surprise. I hadn’t intended on picking it up but the audio was out and my friend loved the anxiety rep in it so here we are!

I also loved the anxiety rep. It read true to how my anxiety tends to present itself and I liked that Felicity learns what best helps or hinders her and how to overcome things she truly wants to do. And I looove arranged marriages like this. It was super sweet. James was incredibly kind and loving from the get-go. I honestly loved that this didn’t have an enemies vibe, but a let’s make the best of this situation vibe. It worked perfectly and had me head over heels for the connection between these two.

My one little tidbit was that I wanted less Henry & Mother-in-law drama. Pieces were fine but it got to be a bit much towards the end.

I just really enjoyed listening to how James and Felicity found a way to make things work. Finding activities they both loved doing together. Trying activities the other found enjoyable and all of the one bed (still clean!!) moments were heart melting. I love whispered conversations in the dark and give me all of the comfort moments. Fantastic audiobook, great read, definitely going to get my hands on the next one.

Overall audience notes: