Penelope, before Odysseus makes it home. I've never particularly cared for Hera before, and now I love her. Penelope's always been one of my favoritesPenelope, before Odysseus makes it home. I've never particularly cared for Hera before, and now I love her. Penelope's always been one of my favorites, and North does not disappoint....more
Pride & Prejudice's Charlotte gets her own story. Sweet and thoughtful and just a little devastating, while (uncommon among P&P inspired stuff) still Pride & Prejudice's Charlotte gets her own story. Sweet and thoughtful and just a little devastating, while (uncommon among P&P inspired stuff) still thoroughly faithful to the original characterizations and historical milieu....more
Revisiting this as an adult. Plus points for engrossing descriptions of stuff like how to build a cabin, dig a well, make a rocking chair. I loved thiRevisiting this as an adult. Plus points for engrossing descriptions of stuff like how to build a cabin, dig a well, make a rocking chair. I loved this stuff as a kid, it's still cool. Minus points for Pa being an autocratic asshole with his head up his butt (let's drag tiny children through incredibly dangerous situations because the woods are "too crowded" and not give your wife any say at all in her own life!) and general horrifying racism (you're stealing their land and you're all butt-hurt that the indigenous folk dare get too close to your cabin?) Even for the time, these were not great people. ...more
Decently competent oh-there's-a-spy romance (with the Scarlet Pimpernel as a very minor character). I did thoroughly appreciate the very beta hero - IDecently competent oh-there's-a-spy romance (with the Scarlet Pimpernel as a very minor character). I did thoroughly appreciate the very beta hero - I adore a man whose superpower is being a decent human being. ...more
Gorgeous retelling of the Mulan tale, featuring two rival families, one of whom has substituted a daughter for a dead twin brother, who have to set asGorgeous retelling of the Mulan tale, featuring two rival families, one of whom has substituted a daughter for a dead twin brother, who have to set aside the dueling when invaders show up. Adventure, romance, secrets, masquerading as a boy - it's catnip. And I adore the final duel....more
This is one of the gentlest romances I've read in some time, which in any other writer's hands would have been lacking in tension. But Milan's deft toThis is one of the gentlest romances I've read in some time, which in any other writer's hands would have been lacking in tension. But Milan's deft touch and subtle observational skills (and dashes of humor) make it the equivalent of hot cocoa. With people of color as characters in Regency England who don't spend the book being traumatized by horrible things happening to them. Honestly, if I could basically read the equivalent of this for the rest of the year, I'd probably be happier....more
Historical mystery set in 1800s Korea. Most of the noir tropes hit in a very different way (a good way!) with a female protagonist and a wildly differHistorical mystery set in 1800s Korea. Most of the noir tropes hit in a very different way (a good way!) with a female protagonist and a wildly different culture from the typical noir setting....more
We're past the courtship phase of the great romance in this continuation from Outlander, and I like the book the better for it. Stories often end postWe're past the courtship phase of the great romance in this continuation from Outlander, and I like the book the better for it. Stories often end post-marriage, but relationships very much don't. Also, the historical intrigues step up, which is what I'm really in this for....more
So a big part of the popularity of this series is the love story, including the steamy sex scenes. A lot of which...didn't do it for me. Jaime seems rSo a big part of the popularity of this series is the love story, including the steamy sex scenes. A lot of which...didn't do it for me. Jaime seems reasonably historically accurate in attitudes, and it's not super appealing. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the double-dose of historical fiction from a 1945 nurse time traveling to 1743. ...more
A detective wakes up with no memory, and has to discover himself even as he tries to fake his way through his latest case. Much of the appeal here is A detective wakes up with no memory, and has to discover himself even as he tries to fake his way through his latest case. Much of the appeal here is watching someone learn that they were not a particularly likable person, when they no longer have access to whatever self-delusions they'd told themselves. The ending depends a bit heavily on some coincidences, but is nonetheless satisfying in a way that does not betray the huge plot twists....more
Delightful forced-marriage romance. (That is, one in which the couple is forced into marriage and then gradually fall in love before anything regrettaDelightful forced-marriage romance. (That is, one in which the couple is forced into marriage and then gradually fall in love before anything regrettable happens.) Bonus points for believable hero-of-color in a Regency romance, and actually dealing with the ramifications....more
Beautiful, slightly horrific and fairly depressing fantasy story about an army nurse in Vietnam. Informed by the author's own experiences, it's searinBeautiful, slightly horrific and fairly depressing fantasy story about an army nurse in Vietnam. Informed by the author's own experiences, it's searingly vivid. The hint of hope at the end helps....more
Own Voices done right. Re-imagined Asian fairytales, from all over the continent, done by Asian-American authors only. A ton of delightful stories, moOwn Voices done right. Re-imagined Asian fairytales, from all over the continent, done by Asian-American authors only. A ton of delightful stories, most based on older stories I'd never heard. (Note: I'm friends with one of the authors. But I liked most of the stories, regardless of who I knew.)...more
Alternate history in which a meteorite smacks DC in the 50s, leading to a space race for survival before computers (the machines) are really a thing. Alternate history in which a meteorite smacks DC in the 50s, leading to a space race for survival before computers (the machines) are really a thing. Which means...lady astronaut! Beautifully researched and beautifully written. ...more
Interesting structure, having been serialized with each chapter written by a different author. It's not flawless, but it works better than you might eInteresting structure, having been serialized with each chapter written by a different author. It's not flawless, but it works better than you might expect. Cold War witches in which there's both the Russians and the Westerners but also the Ice and the Flame, both of which are horribly mixed so your ally on one level is your enemy on another. So. Much. Paranoia. A lot of fun....more
Loading...
