This weekend I finished two novels written by two authors I have been wanting to try for a long while. Every time I read a synopsis to a Louise Erdrich‘s book, I want to (and often do) add it to my to-read shelf. Her books sound so interesting and given all the accolades, they must be well-written. I even asked to review Erdrich’s latest book, Future Home of the Living God, from the publisher. I hadn’t yet had time to download it to my Kindle, but when I was at the library on Saturday I saw that it was a 7-day loan, and grabbed it. The book gods must want me to read it now. Who can deny the book gods? And, amazingly I did start it Saturday and finished it late on Sunday afternoon.
After reading a few of Tasha Alexander and Deanna Raybourn’s historical/romantic mysteries, I kept seeing Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series being recommend to me. I liked the summary and added that to my list. After a several books, Willig released a few standalone historical fiction. When I saw her newest novel, The English Wife was a gothic mystery, I was down to read and review this. I got my crap together and actually sent it to my kindle! I ended up giving both novels the same rating.
FUTURE HOME OF THE LIVING GOD Written by Louise Erdrich
2017; 288 Pages (Harper Collins Canada)
Genre: literary, fiction, dystopia
(I received an ARC from the EDELWEISS)
RATING: 3.5 STARS
I did not read the synopsis to this novel and just started in. A few chapters in I realize this is a dystopian novel. I don’t read a lot of dystopia. I try to be cool and read them, but often I lose interest. Yet, The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood) is one that blew me away with each reading. So I kept a positive vibe, and I enjoyed this one. Erdrich is a great writer. I was hooked with the characters and to see where they would go. The story was intriguing (and scary af) but I kind of felt like I was lost in some parts. I think that was more because of the diary format or me, lol. I am looking forward to my next Erdrich novel!
THE ENGLISH WIFE Written by Lauren Willig
JANUARY 9, 2018; 384 Pages (St. Martin’s Press)
Genre: fiction, historical, gothic, mystery
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
RATING: 3.5 STARS
I didn’t really see this one as a gothic romance with mystery, but more like the books set in the 1940s – romance mystery. It did have some parts that kind of reminded me of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, which I guess were a bit on the “gothic” side. I liked Willig’s writing, but found that the editor could have cut down a bit on the story as it started to lag a bit. I enjoyed seeing the story get tied up. I think had this book been a bit tighter I would have galloped through it as it is a good story with interesting characters. I am definitely going to read more of her books.
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