The Latinist by Mark Prins

The Latinist by Mark Prins requires patience, and possibly, a love for Antiquity. I have an abundance of the latter, but not always the former. So, after a slow start, this novel eventually captured my full attention.

Synopsis

Tessa Templeton is in the final leg of completing her DPhil at Oxford University under the mentorship of the head of the Classics Department, Christopher Eccles. While studying, Tessa has hit some major milestones that should have easily secured her future as an academic. But after receiving countless rejection letters and only one job offer from her university, Tessa is beyond disappointed and worried about her future.

Eventually, Tessa learns the reason why she has been receiving rejection letters. An anonymous email warns her that Chris is deliberately sabotaging her career with his lacklustre letter of recommendation. Initially, Tessa brushes it off but soon realizes that it is probably true (this all happens in the first few pages). Amidst all this uncertainty, Tessa ends up piecing together information about a second-century Latin poet. This discovery is information that is sure to shake up the scholarly Classical World and put her budding career back on track.

Meanwhile, Chris believes himself to be in love with Tessa and will do what he can to keep her near. Yeah, he’s a boundary-crossing creeper.

Review of The Latinist by Mark Prins

The Latinist is a slow-moving book that alternates perspectives between Tessa and Chris. There are themes of obsession, ambition, and control.

The author drew inspiration from Ancient Rome with many primary sources and invented some to fit with the story. The Apollo and Daphne myth plays a large role in this tale.

I recommend this book to those interested in Ancient Rome, the Latin Language, archaeology, and anthropology with some modern-day drama mixed in. I love Rome, so I had a lot of fun reading this.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Expected Publication: 4 January 2022

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company for an arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For past reviews, click here.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Need a tissue for your issue? Molly, the maid, has your back. If you loved Eleanor Oliphant, it’s fair to say you’d love The Maid by Nita Prose.

Synopsis

Molly Gray loves her job as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She thrives by turning each room she cleans back into a state of perfection. She also appreciates that her training has taught her exactly what to say in any given situation. Molly is a bit socially awkward and has a difficult time reading people. She can’t always tell if people are laughing with her or at her. And she doesn’t always say the right thing, even if she meant to compliment rather than offend.

Molly’s gran recently passed, so she’s been working harder than ever to get the bills paid. It is on one of her shifts that her life will change forever.

She begins cleaning one of her regular rooms when she realizes the body lying on the bed is not sleeping but is undoubtedly dead. The body belongs to one Mr. Charles Black, a wealthy and frequent guest of the hotel. Due to Molly not displaying “normal” reactions to Mr. Black’s death, she soon becomes the lead suspect in the investigation. This charming and heartwarming story unfolds from there as Molly tries to understand and navigate these new circumstances.

Review of The Maid by Nita Prose

There are themes of not conforming to society’s standards, feeling invisible, and lasting friendships.

The Maid is a cozy mystery, but I’d still read it just to be in Molly’s head. The mystery itself is well-plotted, and while I didn’t correctly guess who did it, I wasn’t trying to – I simply enjoyed the ride.

This book is not even out yet, and there is so much hype surrounding it. In this case, the hype is totally warranted. Once I picked it up, I could not put it back down. And I believe it is being adapted into a film starring Florence Pugh. I cannot wait.

It is a very touching book and will be sure to steal your heart.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 4 January 2022

Thank you to Viking / Penguin Random House Canada for the arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, see my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins delivers on all the beachy and remote island vibes.

Synopsis

Six months ago, Lux decided she wanted to travel the world with her boyfriend, Nico. They agree to begin their grand travel plans in Hawaii.

Fast forward to now, and the couple have been working in Hawaii for several months and have made no further plans to travel. On top of that, Lux has just been fired from her job.

Nico sees an opportunity to earn some quick cash when two adventure seekers offer him a hefty sum to take them to Meroe Island. The remote island is known for its beautiful beaches but also its gruesome history. Lux feels some hesitation, but ultimately agrees to join them.

And so, the adventure begins. Bring on the booze, oppressive heat, and sky high tension.

What could go wrong on a deserted island occupied by entitled, young, beautiful, and mostly wealthy travellers?

Review of Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

This fun book pulled me out of a reading slump and presented some wicked twists that I would never have guessed.

Rachel Hawkins has crafted an atmosphere that bristles with tension, oppressive heat and feels simultaneously claustrophobic and completely isolated.

Reckless Girls is told mainly from Lux’s perspective, with a few others thrown in as well. The beginning was a bit slow, but once the island shenanigans started, I could not put this down. The ending won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I thought it was perfect.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Expected Publication: 4 January 2022

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, see my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Girl Upstairs by Georgina Lees

The Girl Upstairs pleasantly surprised me with its page-turning mystery and emotionally complex main character.

Synopsis

Suzie Arlington lives alone on the first floor of an apartment flat in London. Due to poor insulation, Suzie can hear every movement of her upstairs neighbour Emily. She knows when Emily is cooking, speaking, blaring loud music, and stomping around in high heels.

One day, Suzie goes up to deliver a package for Emily and notices Emily’s door is open. Upon closer inspection, Suzie observes that the apartment is eerily quiet and in disarray.

Soon, the police begin an investigation and declare Emily as a missing person. For personal reasons, Suzie puts all of her energy into uncovering what happened to her noisy neighbour.

Thoughts on The Girl Upstairs

If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, you won’t find that here. This novel is a character study that examines why Suzie is so invested in finding Emily; and what’s caused her to be in a deep depression and isolate herself.

The majority of the story is from Suzie’s perspective. The chapters are fairly short, making this a fast read, and one that I stayed up late to finish.

The general vibe of the book is quite sad, especially as more answers come out about Suzie’s past. In some ways, Suzie reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant, except slightly less charming. I still liked Suzie and felt for her, but she has a similar awkwardness about her.

My one complaint is that the big reveal didn’t make much sense. I shan’t say more than that.

I recommend this to those who enjoy psychological character-driven books that are slower-paced.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now Available.

Thank you to One More Chapter for the arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, see my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, click here.

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is one of my favourite books of the year. When I read it several months ago, it immediately captured my attention.

Synopsis

Delphine returns to the Paris Opera Ballet after having been away for fourteen years. She goes back to choreograph a new dance in the hopes of finally making a name for herself. She also hopes to reconnect with her long-time ballet best friends, Margaux and Lindsay. At the same time, Delphine is grappling with the traumatic memories that drove her to leave Paris and flee to Russia. The three friends are now in their mid-thirties, none of them are happy with the success they have achieved thus far, nor the prospect of their impending retirement from dance. However, things are not the same between the friends, and secrets soon threaten to surface.

Thoughts on The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

The Ballerinas is a character-driven novel told from Delphine’s perspective with dual timelines.

I don’t think the Black Swan comparison is entirely accurate. The majority of this book is not exactly a thriller. It has thriller elements towards the end, but this is more of a deep dive into what it’s like to be a woman in ballet and society’s expectations for women.

This novel explores the trios complex friendship and their darkly competitive nature. These are dynamic characters that I will remember for some time to come.

I will definitely be picking up future books by Rachel Kapelke-Dale.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now Available.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

For regular reading updates, see my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, check out the blog page.

Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey is a compelling mystery/suspense novel about a police transcriber who becomes enmeshed in a drug case that has been plaguing the town for years.

Hello, Transcriber Synopsis

Hazel Greenlee, an aspiring writer, begins her new job as Transcriber at the local Black Harbor Police Department. Her night shifts are going well, the police are happy with her work, and she’s getting along with her coworkers. That all changes one night when Hazel looks out the window and sees her neighbour outside writing a terrifying message on the glass. This message reignites the hunt for the Candy Man, a drug dealer who has been selling to kids for years.

Soon after, Hazel becomes entangled in the case. She also becomes extremely infatuated with Investigator Nikolai Kole, the man leading the search for this notorious drug dealer.

Thoughts

I would have liked this novel more if Hazel and Kole had kept things professional. Her crush on Kole was very eye-roll-inducing. Although, it’s not hard to understand why Hazel would turn to Kole with the state of her marriage.

I found the writing style to be whimsical, maybe even slightly overwritten at times. Hazel wants to be a writer, so it makes sense, I suppose. There were some twists that I did not see coming. However, in my opinion, the cringe romance overshadowed the case.

But, overall, this book was very atmospheric. I could feel the cold, lonely nights and days through the (ebook) pages. I also think the author did a great job depicting depression and how hard it can be to break the cycle of abuse.

There are many early rave reviews of this book, so I’d encourage you to read those as well.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Now Available.

Thank you to Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, see my Goodreads profile.

For past reviews, check out the blog page.

Love in the Big City

Translated from Korean to English, Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park follows Young, a millennial, as he navigates life’s ups and downs.

What it’s about

Comprised of four sections, each one narrates a different period in Young’s life. The first section focuses on the boozy fun that Young and his best friend Jaehee get up to while at university. The duo party, go to class, meetup with men they matched with on dating sites. That is until Jaehee announces she is getting married. Now, Young must adjust to life without his best friend constantly by his side.

In the other sections, Young comes to terms with his sexuality, a medical diagnosis, his mother, and past trauma.

Love in the Big City is a coming-of-age, character-driven story.

Thoughts on Love in the Big City

The sections that focused on Young’s life in his early thirties were the most interesting to me. Some parts were laugh-out-loud funny, while others were somewhat depressing.

The author and translator perfectly capture what it’s like for millennials in their twenties and thirties, from hard-partying ways to job uncertainty to trying to settle down.

If any more of Sang Young Park’s books get translated into English, I will definitely give them a read.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected Publication: 16 November 2021

Thank you to Grove Press for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For book reviews on newly released books, check out the blog page.

Within These Wicked Walls

I loved this Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre. Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood has gore, romance, rooms filled with blood, books that attack, and more.

Plot

Andromeda is desperate to make a living since the abusive man that raised her has just kicked her out. She is a debtera, someone who cleanses homes from the Evil Eye. In her desperation, Andromeda takes on an impossible job that no one else would dare to touch. When she meets her handsome new employer, Andromeda slowly realizes that her task will be much harder than she had imagined. She also suspects that her boss is hiding a lot more than he let on.

Thoughts on Within These Wicked Walls

I loved Andromeda’s character. She’s tough, funny, and very determined. Magnus was a great character as well, a bit slow to recognize his privilege but ready to charm Andi’s socks off. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, which is probably my only critique of this novel. Otherwise, I loved it.

I also liked that the author eased into the story rather than present lots of info-dumping and world-building. The world-building is there, but it’s gradual.

I will definitely pick up anything else that Lauren Blackwood decides to write.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available Now.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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For book reviews on newly released books, check out the blog page.

Still Life by Sarah Winman

Still Life by Sarah Winman is a love letter to Florence, Italy. An easy five stars. No review of mine could do this book justice. 

Synopsis

In Tuscany, during World War II, Evelyn Skinner, a 64-year-old art historian, meets Ulysses Temper, a young British soldier. Their chance encounter forms an enduring bond of friendship that leaves a lasting impression on Ulysses and helps shape the rest of his life. Meanwhile, Evelyn is in Florence trying to rescue paintings from the war and reminisce on her first visit to Florence when she fell in love with a beautiful maid named Livia. 

Fast forward to after the war, Massimo, an Italian lawyer, presents Ulysses with the opportunity to return to Florence and see where it takes him. 

Thoughts on Still Life by Sarah Winman

Still Life sweeps across four decades and into the lives of characters that will steal your heart. I can’t even choose a favourite character; they are all to-die-for. We have Claude, a talking parrot full of wisdom and one-liners; old Cressy, a loving father figure to everyone; Pete, a goofy but talented piano player. And so many more. 

This story is the kind of historical fiction I love. It’s full of art, love, friendships, and mouth-watering descriptions of Italian food. I may or may not have shed a few tears while reading it. 

This remarkable tale will make you want to hop on a plane and visit the beauty that is Florence. 

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expected Publication: 16 November 2021

Thank you to Viking for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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For book reviews on newly released books, check out the blog page.


Burntcoat by Sarah Hall

Burntcoat by Sarah Hall is the most exquisitely haunting story I’ve read in a long time.

Synopsis

Edith Harkness, a renowned sculptor, is living her last days and is reflecting on her life. Edith recalls when she was a young girl, her mother suffered a brain aneurysm and how it altered their life trajectory. To the days when she learned art techniques that would eventually lead her to win awards and more wealth than she knew how to comprehend. To the days when the world shut down, when she and her new love, Halit, went into lockdown together.

This story centres around a COVID-like virus; however, the virus presented here is more severe, and the public’s response is slightly more dangerous. Edith contracted the virus when it was first circulating, and now some thirty years later is suffering a relapse. The cause of her relapse is unknown to scientists, but what is definite is that Edith does not have long to live. As Edith reminisces on her life, she completes the finishing touches on her magnum opus, knowing that she will never see its final installation.

Thoughts on Burntcoat by Sarah Hall

Burntcoat is a slowly-paced literary work that captured my attention from its opening sentence. The timeline skips around as Edith recalls different instances, but it gets less confusing as the novel progresses. I’d recommend reading this in one or two sittings in order not to be thrown off by the time skips.

There are themes on desire, love, lust, art, family, grief, and sickness.

I knew I would like this book, but I didn’t think I would LOVE it. I also didn’t realize it would be so seductive and intense, but I am not complaining, not at all. The story goes to some very dark places. It steers clear of toxic romantically dark places, but rather explores grim and isolated ones that are quite graphic.

I won’t say more than that because I want this story to tear through the hearts of other readers.

This was my first Sarah Hall book, but it will not be my last.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now Available.

Thank you to Faber and Faber for the arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, follow my Goodreads profile.

For book reviews on newly released books, check out the blog page.