“Clément, did you know I’m Jewish? How would you react if I were to say that about the Holocaust, that “I’m not that interested” in it?”
A insights con“Clément, did you know I’m Jewish? How would you react if I were to say that about the Holocaust, that “I’m not that interested” in it?”
A insights conversation with his therapist ignites our protagonist's desire to uncover his family's roots. His quest takes him all the way to Istanbul, a city in which his Armenian grandparents lose their first-born child Carole.
This graphic novel explores identity and integration in all its varied forms - his Armenian grandfather whose feelings about the genocide are tempered by memories of his glorious youth spent in Turkey , to the protagonists with their French nationalities and Armenian roots, to Ataturk's ideal of a united Turkey at the cost of erasing its multicultural richness.
Being largely autobiographical in nature, the reader should expect open endings and wrong recollection of dates. On the downside, I felt that the author neither explores the Armenian immigrant identity, the genocide, the present day protests against Erdogan, nor Ataturk's legacy in detail. The result is that of languidly browsing a travelogue - snapshots captured vividly but contextually left up for interpretation. But there's something to be said about universal themes - as one observer puts it - "Armenians, Greeks, Jews… The nationalists aren’t particular"- that will resound with readers worldwide.
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the ARC....more
Disclaimer: I haven't read the previous books in the series, and jumped straight into this one.
Ethelreda "Red" McGovern is posing as an governess (toDisclaimer: I haven't read the previous books in the series, and jumped straight into this one.
Ethelreda "Red" McGovern is posing as an governess (tongue in cheek, I know!) in retired soldier Sir George Caldwell's household - in the hopes of apprehending a dangerous assassin working on Napoleon's behest. George, who has been an absentee father for most of his life, struggles in his role as a father and guardian of two intractable children.
The Spinster's Last Stand is a historical romance/ action/ mystery (which I LOVE!), which falls prey to the pitfalls of this genre - conveying a complete and believable story with a limited page count. One of the aspects this story struggled with is the balancing the competence of a military hero (who's survived Waterloo!) and an Elite!spy heroine who is hiding her martial abilities from him. The assassin arc, also dissatisfied me because of the heroine's investigative blunders.
I also was not quite onboard the romance (lust yes, romantic love no) - it was more to the style of 'tell, not show' and I never knew how and why they fell in love.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishing team for the eArc, in exchange of an honest review...more
Holy F***! That twist! This is a book that HAS to be read in a single setting - so much lush atmosphere! This is not going to be a long revie3.5 stars
Holy F***! That twist! This is a book that HAS to be read in a single setting - so much lush atmosphere! This is not going to be a long review, as the book is much better without spoilers - but just, read the trigger warnings, and read it!!...more
Earl of My Dreams is a wonderful reminder of everything that I adore about HistRoms. Sylvie Sinclair's voice has that bit of magic A 5 Starred Debut!!
Earl of My Dreams is a wonderful reminder of everything that I adore about HistRoms. Sylvie Sinclair's voice has that bit of magic about it - that made me pause and smile and savour the book all the more.
I thought it was a genius move opening in a house party setting. It gave a chance for the author to show off her touch at sparkling observations (a la Jane Austen and LM Montgomery) and a sense of the 'female gaze': . They were all young, single and dressed in the latest fashions with brightly-colored waistcoats , the more intricately folded the better. It was a bit like having a rainbow with them in the drawing room. "They're not so bad, are they?" Olivia asked, ever the optimist "They're awful, the lot of them" Emmy grumbled. "Not a hint of mystery, not a single secret to uncover, and I haven't heard even one interesting opinion between them, although they will insist on sharing their every though anyway" .
With so many eligible gentleman and ladies abound, budding romance and confusion go hand in hand. Here, I appreciated how self-aware the leads were, taking charge of their errors when it came to others' emotions. Amongst all the gay frivolity that is a London Season, we are reminded of the very real pressure of making a suitable match, and how the economic and emotional well-being of many is tied to the whims of their guardians. Believe me, the blurb is about half of what ultimately happens. Ms. Sinclair, again, shows her deft touch at keeping the plot from stagnating by making revelations at the right beats.
James and Sophie's coming together is a slow burn that peels away many, many layers. This is HistRom at its finest - with all the breathless magic that comes with lingering touches, with fervent kisses on the palm, and the first utterance of one's Christian name. . Her gaze riveted on the vein running from his wrist to his middle dinger, pulsing with each mesmerizing tap of his thumb. She wanted to touch him there, to trace it with her fingertips, and learn the texture of his skin. . .
He dipped his head, raising her hand to his lips, and her breath caught in her throat as he brushed a kiss on the centre of her palm. her pulse kicked up a frantic rhythm as he caressed her with his mouth, coursing the line of her scar with his lips until he reached the lace trim at her sleeve. He pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting hers. And then he began to unfasten the buttons at her wrist . I LIVED for these moments - their chemistry was a live crackling fire, their physical intimacy had the palpable emotionality that so few have.
Sophie and James were meticulously sketched as complex characters with their own motivations and struggles. And so when the angst came on full force towards the end, my heart ached for them and I just lapped it up.
For a debut novelist, the author shows amazing finesse when it comes to wit, pacing and emotions.
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for the eARC....more
Loading...
