This book starts with a melodramatic walking away as the meth lab explodes scene, and I almost quit there. This scene has nothing to do with the storyThis book starts with a melodramatic walking away as the meth lab explodes scene, and I almost quit there. This scene has nothing to do with the story, and I was glad I kept reading. They mystery is captivating - I pretty much read it in one day - but it could have been better. A few things that turned out to be red herrings would have been better as real parts of the plot. Oh, and there's a cringey, completely unnecessary sex scene. But it you love a compelling, quick-read thriller, this one is a good choice....more
I have enjoyed several other Meissner novels, including Bright as Heaven and Last Year of the War, but this one stands out as not only a great read buI have enjoyed several other Meissner novels, including Bright as Heaven and Last Year of the War, but this one stands out as not only a great read but an important message. Taking on the eugenics movement in and around the Second World War, the author has bravely asked the question, "Who are we to say a person has no value?"
While Meissner asks this question through a variety of historical situations and fictional characters, I hope that readers are inspired to ask themselves how the attitudes are still present today, though the methods, euphemisms, and societal pressures have changed. "It's as if they are saying only perfect babies should be born." Indeed.
The story begins from the point of view of young Rosie, who is mistreated by every adult in whose care she is unfortunately placed after the death of her parents. Our society has thankfully improved how we support and love single mothers, although the pressure to give up their children still occurs - for their own good, of course. We tell ourselves we are doing the best thing for all involved just as angry, heartbroken Celine did.
I was at first taken aback when the point of view switched to that of Helen Calvert. No, I'll admit it. I was disappointed. But I shouldn't have been. I've been avoiding the recent trend of WWII novels, but Helen was a unique, thoughtful character, and I ended up loving her. My favorite part was when she told Dr Townsend that, "God doesn't devalue people the way you do." You go, girl!
This book is somehow at the same time a quick read and a thought provoking one, so I'm glad to see so many fans of historical fiction reading it. I'll end with one more quote from dear Helen.
I still have much work to do to bring audiences past the point of saying, "Isn't it awful what happened over there?" to "Something awful is happening right here."...more
I've enjoyed several of Larson's books and was quick to pick up this one. Since I've spent the last couple of years studying the era between America'sI've enjoyed several of Larson's books and was quick to pick up this one. Since I've spent the last couple of years studying the era between America's Revolution and Civil War, this seemed right up my alley. Unfortunately, it was a meandering narrative that didn't satisfactorily explain how Americans ended up fighting a horrific bloody war or add to the library of Civil War knowledge already available.
I found it extraordinarily off-putting that Larson began with a comparison of the Civil War to January 6, 2021. Forget that this isn't even the worst event that has happened in Washington DC, it certainly cannot compare to a war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and completely changed the social, economic, & political landscape of the country.
Larson tells most of the story through the eyes of Southerners, who seem specifically selected to prop up the charge that all Southerners were vain, immoral, and violent. Clearly, enough of them were that this war occurred, but still, the narrative was odd and didn't include any voices that one might expect, such as that of the enslaved, abolitionists, Southern unionists, or anyone that wasn't a slaveholder. Mary Chestnut's vapid diary adds little to the story, but we get to hear it rather than the testimony of any black American, such as Frederick Douglass or Harriett Jacobs, or even an abolitionist like Charles Sumner (his caning is mentioned but not his ongoing fight for civil rights).
And if the author called Southerners "The Chivalry" one more time . . . .
This volume just can't compare to fantastic works like James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom. (I also recommend What Hath God Wrought by Daniel Walker Howe that goes back even further, demonstrating how deep the roots of Civil War issues really were.) I suppose some readers may enjoy some of the minutiae that is Larson's trademark, but I don't think the average reader will gain any greater understanding of the Civil War and the failures that led to it. ...more
I read a fair number of mysteries, though not usually the YA variety, so I picked this up without specific expectations. It was a quick read, one thatI read a fair number of mysteries, though not usually the YA variety, so I picked this up without specific expectations. It was a quick read, one that kept me not wanting to put it down because I really wanted the truth to be revealed.
The author does a good job of portraying teenagers - their relationships, struggles, and weaknesses. If Maddy sometimes came across as a bit whiny, well that made her real as the overlooked sibling of an outgoing, popular sister. All of the ingredients of senior year are mixed in - prom, scholarships, jealousy, pettiness . . . you get the idea. There's a good blend of characters, with a mix of maturity, goals, & attitudes that one would expect from a group of 17-18 year olds. As a YA novel, this is really well done.
As a mystery, I may have compared this too severely to adult fiction. I think younger readers will like the twists, but I had my suspicions of how this was going to end way too early on. Some good bits are included to throw the reader off track, and I occasionally wondered if my theory was wrong. I wished it was, because I think the ending could have had more impact. I won't give any more than that away.
I would definitely recommend this to teenage readers. I think they would learn a bit from the characters & their relatable issues while enjoying the drama of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for my copy of Silent Sister. Opinions expressed are my own....more
I don't typically read historical fiction that takes place after WWII, and, with the overwhelming focus on that era in the publishing industry right nI don't typically read historical fiction that takes place after WWII, and, with the overwhelming focus on that era in the publishing industry right now, I try to avoid WWII in general. However, I have a great admiration for Robert F Kennedy, so when I saw that his was one of the points of view included in this book, I decided to go for it.
It's difficult to write a book about avoiding war and maintain the kind of suspense that comes from action, but I could appreciate the tension on every page. Could the Americans trust the Russians? After all, they did try to set up a secret nuclear base just off the Florida coast. Could the Russians trust the Americans? After all, they acted like the Russians were on the offensive while having their own weapons pointed across the Black Sea. "Some would say we are engaged in a negotiation, but you do not negotiate the end of the world." And what if some random soldier made a rash decision that threw them all into WWIII? It's certainly scary to think about how many times our future has teetered on a point like this.
I've listened to a couple of Shaara's books on audio, so I didn't realize his habit of writing sentences with collections of fragments like, "He spun the mower around again, his careful geometry, dodged a small tree, a breath of breeze blowing grass clippings over his bare legs." The dismissal of basic grammar was a bit jarring, but I started to get used to it being his style.
I did gain an appreciation for the Russian point of view in this book, but the endless meetings & repeating the same arguments and what-ifs got a bit overdone. It was neat that Shaara injected his father into the book through the character of Russo, and I wish he had played a role that added something to the story.
The insight into the Kennedy brothers' interactions and devotion to peace was moving at times. I also appreciated the nods to speechwriter Ted Sorenson. "American history books are full of praise for presidents who win great wars. A word should also be said for those who prevent them." It's difficult to read about Jack or Bobby without wondering what could have been if they weren't both tragic victims of the violence they worked to prevent. If only we saw that kind of striving to do what is right and good in modern leaders. What would the Kennedy brothers think of what we have done with the world they saved for us?
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of The Shadow of War. Opinions are my own....more
I was excited to find this book set in the 1830s with a unique premise. Unfortunately, it was difficult to finish. I was disappointed by the modern feI was excited to find this book set in the 1830s with a unique premise. Unfortunately, it was difficult to finish. I was disappointed by the modern feel of the novel, especially the characters' attitudes and speech patterns. The prose was not only too modern but very simplistic and repetitive, almost as though the book was written for a middle grade audience. It was difficult to feel a connection to any of the characters. A third of the way through the book, they are all still insipidly moaning about how they need to formulate a plan. Sadly, this book never delivers on the thrilling story that the description promises, and it certainly doesn't transport the reader to the early 19th century.
My copy received through NetGalley. Opinions are my own....more
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