Tag Archive: Fiction


Review: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

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May 12, 2025

A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun, young adult read. The writing amused me. Naomi Novik presented literary fun.

Anisha Dadia narrated the audiobook from Libby, which I was privileged to read. Sometimes I wish I could have glanced at a word in a real book. There were fantasy/magical words that I didn’t recognize. Still, Ms. Dadia kept the characters and story more fun than I think it would have been in a dry paper book read.

I think if I were into YA right now or Harry Potter-type stories, I would love this, but I just didn’t love it. I think it is me not the book. So I don’t think I will move on to the rest of the series. But, hey, you may love it. Give it a try!

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Review: Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

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May 5, 2025

Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs, #6)Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be the best book of the series and the most frightening. I must admit to having a nightmare or two from reading it at bedtime.

What is weird and special is that the author, Jacqueline Winspear, has taken historical events and shows us lessons we should have learned. In this particular book, the troubles of PTSD, homelessness, and depression are on display within the context of sophisticated British literature and history.

Orlagh Cassidy (Narrator) has the acting chops to keep the reader (listener) engaged with each character. She finds a way to make each person individual.

This series is one of the best. I thank my friend, Kay, for recommending it to me. I highly recommend all the Maisie Dobbs books so far!

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Review: Tiopa Ki Lakota by D. Jordan Redhawk

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May 4, 2025

Tiopa Ki LakotaTiopa Ki Lakota by D. Jordan Redhawk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a beautiful love story. It was so unique seeing two women, a white, Irish woman, I think, and a Lakota two-spirit woman. The author takes you into both points of view during a time in American history when the whites were on the westward ho, conquering and killing as they moved.

But here is what was happening to one particular woman and her tribe, and a little about their philosophy.

I think the only thing that might have made this story better would have been to have it narrated by a person who could speak the language. The problem with Text-to-Speech is how badly Kindle’s voice pronounces words that are not English.

Still, I am happy I finally got around to reading this story. I’ve had it in my ‘currently-reading’ shelf since 2016. I highly recommend this read.

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Review: An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

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May 1, 2025

An Incomplete Revenge (Maisie Dobbs, #5)An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is so fulfilling. Each book sees the character, Maisie, and her life progressing within a well-researched historical England. Equally, life continues as do illness, death, or personal conflicts. All of this kept me in another world, exploring life at another time. I hated leaving the book to go to sleep. I felt I could reach out and chat with the characters; that’s how well Jacqueline Winspear writes.

Orlagh Cassidy narrates in such a way that there is no confusion between characters, which helps increase the story’s realism.

If you get the opportunity to read this series, please give it a try. I highly recommend the Libby audiobook version. My friend, Kay, recommended it to me, and she rarely leads me to dull books!

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Review: Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

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April 14, 2025

Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs, #4)Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was particularly bittersweet. The art world of the day was brought to light. But also, there was a deep sadness for our main characters.

These story bits were mixed into the murder mystery. Was it a murder? Another part of the mystery.

I highly recommend these books. Jacqueline Winspear’s research and writing abilities keep the story engaging. So far, I have been able to read/listen to the audio version of the books on Libby. Orlagh Cassidy (Narrator) brought it all to life.

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Review: Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

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April 10, 2025

Apples Never FallApples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very serendipitous read. I ran out of story before sleep took over. I looked up ready to borrow books from Libby and this one was ready.

At first, I thought it was too meandering. It seemed all over the place. There were a lot of characters and points of view. But soon, curiosity took hold of me, and I found I just wanted to know what was happening and why.

Caroline Lee (Narrator) gave the story depth and the Australian accents needed to bring authenticity to the tale. There were times when the accents or t

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Review: Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah

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April 9, 2025

Into the Uncut GrassInto the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was not expecting a picture book on audio. I was expecting an autobiography or memoir. But honestly, this was a cute story. Now I wish I had seen the picture book.

Libby had it ready for me in a few weeks. It might be a fun one to read with your children. Trevor Noah did the narration, so it is worth it in every way. Take the adventure.

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Review: Clarity 2: Clarity, Book 2 by Loretta Lost

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April 6, 2025

Clarity 2: Clarity, Book 2Clarity 2: Clarity, Book 2 by Loretta Lost
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Don’t get me wrong. This book was good. But I HATE cliffhangers. I forgave book one. But this one was way worse. The world is a mess right now. I don’t need the angst. I am quitting on this series. If you are rich enough to get all the series, enjoy. Luckily, enough of the answers are given in the blurbs, so you don’t have to continue buying to find out if it works out. But NO book is worth this nervous energy,

Still, I raised the star rating to two stars because the writing was well done. And the narrator, Elise Arsenault,  did a marvelous job of acting out the characters.

Trigger warnings are all over, from rape and abuse at the top of the list. But I don’t feel the character who is supposed to help is helpful in the long run. So, read at your own risk.

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Review: Clarity by Loretta Lost

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April 1, 2025

Clarity (Clarity, #1)Clarity by Loretta Lost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reaching to the bottom of my currently-reading shelf I found this at 79.

Look straight up, I will warn you. The main character is blind and experiences a rape. So you will have to decide for yourself if this is something you can handle. The author covers the situation with all her senses, as she does with the rest of the book. Though I didn’t like the rape, the next bits of the story are quite interesting.

Elise Arsenault narrated the Audible version I listened to. Her voice is a great addition to the story.

Now I have to say what I didn’t like. Say it with me? Cliffhanger! The worst! Good thing it happened at night with me awake enough to want to read more. I often don’t buy the next if that’s how the authors do it. Somehow, I moved on and am reading book two. But I feel violated when an author does that!

Still, I do like the main character and how she chooses to live her life. And I do want to read more.

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Review: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

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March 31, 2025

Parable of the Talents (Earthseed, #2)Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love both Earthseed #1 and #2. Octavia E. Butler gives us all something to think about. It doesn’t matter if you believe the Earthseed theories. The story holds its own as people try to survive in a world unlike ours, enough to make it nearly unbelievable. And yet. Take a moment to think, what if? What would you do living from the survivor’s point of view?

I miss the narrators Patricia R. Floyd, Peter Jay Fernandez, and Sisi Aisha Johnson of both this book and the previous one. I highly recommend this Audiobook if you can find it.

What I like about this book and such stories as The Walking Dead (which this is NOTHING like) is the human factor and how people choose their leaders and beliefs and judge others from their own standards.

I may read these books again soon. I miss the story already. Don’t you hate it when a story affects you so deeply that you can’t breathe without it happening in your head?

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