Review: The Widow Queen

The Widow Queen by Elżbieta Cherezińska
My rating: 1 of 5 stars



View all my reviews The Widow Queen by Elżbieta Cherezińska
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Received this ARC from BookBrowse to review. Got half way through the book and had to stop. The times in Northern Europe were chaotic in the 9th Century--politically and religiously. Christianity was moving in and causing all kinds of unsettling re-evaluation of the multiple gods that had been worshiped for centuries. Not only were many of them to be discarded but multiple wife practices with children from most of the relationships became outlawed. This caused problems for alliances made with these offspring used as pawns. Add to this the struggles for the reins of various kingdoms when younger non-Christian sons tried to overthrow the older converted fathers who were determined to introduce the new ways. Even without the influx of Christian values, the territorial battles were wide-ranging. Add to the expanse of the lands in question the long list of characters bearing names totally unfamiliar to modern English speakers and the book became as chaotic as the times and places it was trying to portray. Finally, it became too much and it was tossed aside to make room for other books waiting to be read with more ease and enjoyment.

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The Pioneers--McCullough Aces it Once More!

The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seems impossible that the Westernmost boundary of the US was ever the Ohio River--the same one on which Wheeling, W Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, among others ,have grown into major cities of our time. Yet, back in the late 18th through mid-19th century, the Northwest Territory grew from the Indian wilderness to something beginning to resemble the New England home of many of its earliest settlers. Here is the story of how Ohio became a State without slavery and with a highly developed educational system from the earliest lessons to collegiate degrees. Most of the characters are male since the women of the time left so little in the way of tangible sources. Still, many of them are included through the commentary of the men with whom they were so intimately involved as wives, mothers, sisters. Also, for some who were married to men who traveled much for their work as legislators or doctors, there is their correspondence to include.

As time passed and civilization grew, tourists from all over the world, including Charles Dickens, came to the area. The commentary of these travelers on the locals and their customs they encountered is enlightening. Not many found these Americans attractive, interesting or very well educated. Still the endurance, ingenuity, community spirit of these pioneers that helped them survive and thrive in this heavily forested land in which the Natives were not friendly nor welcoming is inspiring.
Having driven on Interstates from Vermont to Ohio and then traveled the banks of the Ohio along its curvy roads, the description of the same journey in the 1800s boggles the mind. I cannot imagine topping a summit in a riverboat hauled up one side by five winches stepped at intervals, having dinner at the top and then being lowered down the other side by another five winches. Terrified of height as I am, it made me dizzy to read of it.

Loving bridges, as I do NOT, imagining getting out of a carriage to retrieve the plank from a raging river, reattaching it and anchoring it with stones so that the carriage might cross, also made me happy that I didn't live in Ohio then.

If these types of historical stories are your cup of tea then read McCullough--any of his books, but this one is short and maybe, if new to his work, a good place to start. If, like myself, you've been a fan and read all of his books, this one will not disappoint!

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Where the Light Enters

Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To begin, do not read this book unless you have read the first book of the series. You will soon find yourself lost trying to keep all the characters and their relationships straight. Next, the book is outrageously long--the author claims to like long books and she has produced one--652 pages! If not loaded with too many issues--racism, feminism, poverty, mental illness, abortion, 19th century morality--a book this long is not a bad thing. This book is loaded with issues that become overwhelming. Life fraught with so many things to worry about seems to lose the importance of comparatively smaller issues such as widowhood, marriage, pregnancy and the treatment of orphans, who are part of the extended family of the two women about which the story revolves.

It took forever to get into the book, forever to finish it and less of an enjoyment than a chore, Do not know if reading the Gilded Age before this would make it any more satisfying. This is a review of a copy provided by Book Browse for discussion in their book club.

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All the Acorns On the Forest Floor

All the Acorns on the Forest Floor by Kim Hooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As in the Paris Hours the characters in this book cross paths without knowing the stories revealed in this book. I loved that in both books--sometimes they actually interact with each other, yet sometimes it is more like degrees of separation. In any case, the unconscious interaction of people just passing by each other is fascinating.
The theme of the book is Motherhood but it is so much more. Some of the women don't want children, others want them desperately and either cannot get pregnant or cannot carry a child to full-term. Still some of these women miscarry or give the child up. No matter the case, all of them in some way are concerned with the role of " MOTHER ". All of these women are three dimensional and no matter the reader's relationship with motherhood, they are all sympathetic and real. I only cried at the end of one story but was moved by them all.
Lest you think this is the sole focus of the book, do not be mislead. There is more to the story--the men involved. How supportive are they, how understanding, how loving, how present--or not. And communication--how much do these women share with their partners, family or friends so that their feelings are better understood? How much do they communicate with themselves? What secrets do they keep from those who want to be there for them but just don't know enough to totally understand what they are going through? What do they deny to themselves about themselves to help them cope and make decisions about their lives?
For such a small book, there is quite a bit within these pages to make one think about relationships, life's choices, nature's quirks . Yet, it is a fast and easy read with a lot of warmth and humor. For many of us there are characters who will remind us of either ourselves and/or people we've known. Very realistic and enjoyable over all.

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Tsarina

Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are authors such as McCullough and Larsen who are able to make the historical characters about whom they write jump off the page so that the reader feels as though they are in their presence. Alpsten does not have that ability. The book is much too long, with extensive and unnecessary scenes of debauchery and cruelty. The first 350 pages are so stultifying it is almost like reading a Russian history ( deathly in itself ) textbook. It is not until after Alexy's death that there is any life to the main character and Peter. The rest never truly come alive. As to the supposed shrewd intelligence and calculating manipulation possessed by Catherine, they are never truly revealed. There is as the blurbs claim--sumptuous decadence but not vivid life. There is a Cinderella story, I suppose, though this handsome prince is barbarous to all around him, including Catherine and cannot be accused of fidelity. It took me forever to get through the book, but I hoped to learn something of a supposed strong, powerful woman--well, she was strong, I guess, but not terribly powerful. This is a review of an ARC won from Goodreads for that purpose

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The Bobsey Twins from Homicide are Slowing Down but Not Out in the Mountains of Montana

Gretchen Horowitz and Alifair Robicheaux are truly chips off the old blocks. Not sure I like this development but the old boys are slowing down a bit and the extra guns keep them from the bad guys frying their bacon.

A Relationship Requires More Than Just Romantic Love

When Duncan returns from war unable to walk he does not want to be a burden to the girl he left behind. Her memory kept him alive or at least hopeful during the years of their seperation. When he left Lady Mary, a girl he has no business loving, considering their differing stations in society, was merely a girl of 16. She is now an elegant woman of 21 professing her continuing love for him. But he'd gone to war to win accolades and station so as to be worthy of her and acceptable to her family. Lady Mary's brother, the Duke, has no qualms about their union but her mother, the Dowager Duchess did not approve of him when he left and chances are she won't approve of him now any better, considering his physical condition. Unable to walk, how will he provide for her? No, the entire situation is untenable--better to end the relationship now and let Mary get on with her life. It is the right and gentlemanly thing to do. Unfortunately, Mary doesn't seem to agree.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Is There Anything Worse Than Having A Child Disappear?

An artist reluctantly agrees to look for a missing teen. Enjoyed the interaction of the teen's mother with the two women trying to help find her daughter. The condition of Laura's apartment and her lack of appetite are very real and reflect her sense of helplessness and her despondency over the whereabouts of her child. That part of the story was the most real . The description of teen secrets and ability to circumvent parental restrictions was both amusing and alarming. While the abusive relationship that caused the girl and her mother to be in hiding to begin with is not highly developed it is clear enough to make the dangerous situation real and the need for secrecy from police understandable. One thing I would suggest is that the author review more closely her description of Freddy's outfits--I just don't see her holding a purse in her lap while wearing a windbreaker like the one worn by James Dean. There could be more editing for repetition even in places where two sentences say exactly the same thing, All in all, a captivating read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tulip Fever

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The best part of this book was its cover! It is beautiful but the story is not. The reference to tulipomania is hardly touched up although the onion eating scene was perfect. Found this difficult and plodding for the first half. Not until the deception of pregnancy did the writing pick up. The atmosphere was moody, dark--like ill lit rooms filled with heavy wood furniture. Even the art studio and painting scenes were dark and moody. The author kept stressing the illusionary aspect of life and so the story seemed dream-like. Other than Cornelis, the old man married to a unfaithful young wife, and Maria, the unfortunate young maid, I found the characters unlikeable and their selfishness intolerable. Jan did not deserve his success but if Cornelis found happiness with his native girl that is a happy ending. Maria's love story and its ending was far more satisfying than the relationship between Sophia and Jan.

Twenty plus years ago this was a best seller, didn't miss much by taking so long to get around to it.

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Lizbeth's Sister is The Next Enchantress--Marries a Duke

The Duke and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Second installment of the Enchantress series--having read it, must urge that readers start with the first book. Though some series repeat enough of preceding plots this one does not. Much of the involvement with Aunt Hazel, Lizabeth etc requires the backstory from the first book. That is not a weakness but just a tip. Though I truly loved the first book and its characters I found this one less satisfying. Mama Charlotte is a bit much to take even though from the first story you understand the rat her father was. Still her nastiness to the new Duchess shows no love for her or the Duke, despite the claim toward the end that she loves them both. So far as the Duke's life before marrying is concerned, it is totally far-fetched and unbelieveable. Not only that, I'm not sure the exploitation of his young self by middle-aged women is very different than this 33 year old man marrying an 18 year old. Especially since he has made no effort to know or understand her as a person. Definitely common in those days and even now. What I question is why the reverse situation is shown to be demeaning and damaging to him in his youth--enough to keep him celibate for ten years--from 23 to 33--very questionable. So, finding the subplots too fanciful and contrived, I did not totally enjoy this book. That said, however, once the couple begin to know and understand each other and their interests, they became interesting. The idea of a composer having to hide his talent for fear of seeming effeminate was horrifying--but his music reflecting his emotions and that of his wife and their shared enjoyment of his musical efforts ( in more ways than one ) rescued the book for me and kept me reading.
On to the third installment, which I've already started and which is much like the first--engrossing. Must be the Sebastian side of the family that I like!

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Can a Self-Proclaimed Spinster and A Emotionally Wounded Earl Find Happiness?

Just an enjoyable book that on the surface is another mindless romantic story of an independent woman before her time and a emotionally wounded man finding each other, overcoming their individual reluctance to commit themselves and managing to work their way to happiness. And yet, I could not help but be moved by the heartlessness of Sebastian's father and the strain of cruelty that ran through his family on his father's side. ( His mother , who died when he was young, obviously was a more warm-hearted and loving parent!) The struggle that Sebastian lived in order to prevent himself from continuing the cruelty was so enormous. That he succeeded and that he found, in Lizabeth, a woman as strong as he was every bit as satisfying as the light-hearted love story that is the main plot. I'm a convert and this series is one I shall persue. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What Happens When Your Fictional Knight Steps Off the Page?

A Dash of Romance by Paullett Golden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun romp for an almost 100 degree day staying comfortably cool in an air-conditioned sitting room. What starts out as an irritation to a worldly London dandy and a horrible embarrassment to a quiet small town vicar's daughter turns into a warm and humorous relationship. Sometimes the man of one's dreams actually appears in one's life as a fully formed and confusing tease. Although the former is totally a product of the heroine's pen, the latter has a mind of his own and won't always do what is expected of him--how irritating!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Breaking the MacLaoch Curse

The Legend of Lady MacLaoch by Becky Banks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When she eloped with the man she loved, the Lady's male relatives killed him before her, brought her home and gave her to their chosen husband. She cursed them and all their descendants, but left room for the breaking of the curse. American, Cole Baker, finds herself at Castle MacLaoch researching she Scottish heritage. She also finds herself in the midst of the legend and curse. But how does she figure in all that history and what does it mean for her future?

A page turner of a mystery, two romances and maybe the breaking of the curse is filled with interesting and sometimes maniacal characters. Just a truly fun read

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Ashford Affair ( I Miss the Napoleonic Spies,Myself )

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tale of two cousins--one rich, pampered, beautiful, confident; the other rich, less pampered, less beautiful, insecure and the poor relation, reluctantly taken in. Close as sisters and yet Bea, the daughter of the house, definitely the leader and dominant cousin to Adeline, known as Addie. The girls come of age in the post-war 20's in England but time and circumstances takes Bea to Kenya and a coffee plantation and marriage to Frederick, whom they both love. Addie, turned out on her own, makes a life for herself in London.
In 2000, New York City, Clementine, Addie's grand-daughter makes her way as a 30 something lawyer, working her tail off to become partner in her firm. Her mother Marjorie and her Aunt Anna are another set of sisters in a new age. Family secrets have created a distance between the women and a definite difference in their life choices. Grammy Addie's ( a name that is repeated ad nauseum throughout the book) demise opens the can of worms that will reveal Bea's death, Anna's reasons for lack of children and headlong multiple marriages, Frederick's role in all their lives and Clemmie's long-time relationship with Jon, Anna's foster son.

Interesting portrait of pre-war and post-war aristocracy in Britain and how some members adapt or don't to the changes of 20th Century high society throughout the world.

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Logging Conflict in the Flathead Valley of Montana

Crossroads by James L. Thane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having been to the Flathead Valley I hoped to read this book set there. The author did justice to the place and the ongoing battle of progress vs status quo and economy vs environmental concerns. He presents a fair treatment of the proponents in each camp and manages to get his middle of the road stance on paper. The rancor and emotion that exists on both sides and the extremists that make compromise so difficult is well handled. Lots of bed hopping in that little town, too, so alibis are suspect as are loyalties but in the end the motives become clear and the murders are solved, as is the hero's romantic life.

If I have any real criticism it is the lack of any Native American presence in the story despite the large population in Montana and in that area. But then, when my daughter went to college in Bozeman, she was stunned to hear and see the treatment of the Natives by many locals. Prairie N is a common derogatory slur used in those parts. How sad. She was not surprised when I told her how that segment of the population was ignored. Still, Go Cats! And if you long to know about the Big Sky country this isn't a bad read. Kalispell is a disaster, however. Did not linger on the way to Glacier. This paperback was provided by Goodreads for review

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Paris Between the Wars

The Paris Hours by Alex George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Come spend a day on the streets and in the bookstores and bars of Paris as four very different people try to capture what has been lost. An Armenian immigrant performing puppet shows for French children while narrating in Armenian. A wounded WW I vet searching for the infant lost with his wife in the flames of a burning Church. A failed artist trying to find the money to save his life. And a shy country woman serving as the confidante and caretaker of a hypochondriac, Marcel Proust. We follow them through the course of one day as they seek and, in the process, learn of their histories and the whys of the seeking. Engrossing as their stories are the city itself captivates the senses as the reader roams from place to place and observes the other residents of the City of Light. The story brings it all together at the one fateful night when all the seekers find themselves in the smoky, jazz-filled room of Le Chat Blanc.

This is a review of an ARC provided for discussion by BookBrowse.

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Michael Collins Died At 31 Years Old !

One of the things that is important to me when reading a historical novel is whether or not the story makes me want to research the actual people and events. This book did that and it was interesting to note that the book is more history than fiction. My Irish grandmother hated the British and my American born father had absolutely no use for the English. Both would roll in their graves if they knew what a Anglophile I've become. It amuses me to hear derogatory remarks in British programming about the heavy handedness of the Yanks in their interactions with the Brits and others. Reading this history as well as other tales of the Empire, I can only say, we learned from the best. How sad British arrogance brought such pain to the nations who wanted their freedom from the Empire on which, at one time, "the sun never set." I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Bitter and the Sweet of Cherry Season

The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a moving story about three generations of the same family--the Wrights. Denise has died leaving her daughter,Hope, and grand-daughter, Tink devastated and at loose ends. In her depression, Hope becomes involved with a man who turns out to be an abusive obsessive from whom the two escape and flee to Northern Michigan and Denise's childhood home. They arrive in the middle of the night, exhausted and hungry, at the Orchard House where Denise's sister, Peg, lives alone with her dog, Nelson. Hope does not know Peg but has nowhere else to turn. Peg, herself reclusive, allows the two to remain for a few days but soon realizes that they need to stay longer. She offers them a temporary home if they will help with the cherry harvest which has just begun. Peg and her hired hand, Abel, could use the help. The deal is made and over time family secrets are revealed, trust is established and a new life emerges for all the Wright women. Engrossing and at times heart-breaking, the story grows along with the family unit formed as barriers, emotional and physical are broken down.

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Charles Lenox and Graham Starting Out

The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fun prequel to the , now 11 installment, series about the detective, Charles Lenox in 19th century London. I've read all the series and so this was interesting to meet the well-known, well-respected sleuth at the outset of his career. He is all of 23, unsure about everything in life, career, what to do about the woman he loves married to someone else, where to live and how. While it made me smile a few times, knowing as I do, how things turn out for him in so many of these youthful quandries, it also made me happy that in real life we cannot know the future. If you haven't read the series, then start with this one. If you have, then get to know the young untested Charles and his valet, with a hard " t ", Graham before they became so successful a pair.

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Hiro and Father Mateo Seek a Murdering Ghost in A Wintery Mountain Town

Ghost of the Bamboo Road by Susan Spann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love traveling along with Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit, and his " scribe " , Hiro, who is really a samurai on a mission to locate other spies and send them back to their master for reassignment. The men are on their way to Edo but must locate a female samurai living in the foothills of the Hakone mountains. It is winter, the town is almost deserted and on the evening of their arrival the owner of the guest house is murdered while visiting her daughter's grave after dark. The superstitious residents of the town believe the ghost of the daughter, who was brutally raped and beaten and left to die in the woods, has returned and is taking vengeance on those who left her to die. Naturally, Hiro and Father Mateo, who do not believe in ghosts, think the murderer is very human. Still, they must find the spy and move on to Edo without delay. Unfortunately, the theft of the family's silver and the accusation that Father Mateo's housekeeper, Ana, is the thief, prevents their departure. As long as they must remain and prove Ana's innocence they may as well figure out who the murderer is, right?
As usual, the mystery is multifaceted and the setting is captivating--high in the mountains of Japan, snow covered ground, foggy days and nights and a hermit who lives in a cave and communes with foxes. A wonderful escape on these late Spring rainy April days.

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How I Love Life in Ballybucklebo!

An Irish Country Love Story by Patrick Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

By this time I feel like a resident of Ballybucklebo! Kitty and the Doc are happy as ever but, when a lorry crashes into Number One Main all but destroying the dining room, the community must decide whether to demolish the house to straighten out the dangerous curve on which it sits. Kinky and her new husband, Archie, are as distraught at the prospect as the O'Reilly's. Barry and Sue continue on toward their impending marriage, with Barry taking his first plane ride to France to visit her. Jasper, the black lab belonging to Maggie and Sonny runs away during a storm and does not return for days. Needless to say the community puts on an all out search. The new female doctor seems to be having a hard time pulling her own weight in the practice and has even made a few overtures toward Barry. Donal and Bertie as usual are up to tricks and Lars seems to be falling hard for Myna, though he worries about the difference in their social standing. So just another day or two in the lives of the folk of Ballybucklebo! On to the next chapter>

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The Holy City Murders--Vatican's Relics during the 30's

The Holy City Murders by Ron Plante Jr.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The premise of the book was very interesting and Duke and his partner, Jimmy as well as the young officer, Wally were all very well written and relatable. The preachy paragraph toward the end when Duke is sharing his thoughts of the danger posed to the world by Hitler was a bit overdone. The assassin was a poorly written character--more cartoonish than he should have been. I found the style very off-putting though I think it was an attempt to copy the style of writers from the 30's. But my most difficult character to deal with was Sister Addie. As a girl born in '42 and raised with nuns there is no way at that time that a Catholic nun would have been out alone at any time of day, she would NEVER have gone into a bar alone or otherwise and certainly would not have been off to all these places at all times of the day and night with MEN!! Her role was no surprise to me as a result of these impossible situations. Since this is an ARC I assume the misspellings, mixed syntax and other errors would be corrected prior to publication. Think this is a good first draft but needs work on characterization and style. Plot is intriguing.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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May Not Finish This Series

The Edge by Catherine Coulter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The setting in the beginning was so similar to another of the series that I thought I'd already read it. Continued to be sure and found the sexual overtones off-putting-- looking at the librarian and practically raping her in his mind, the actual attack by one woman of Mac, the hero. Persisted a bit further hoping it would get better, which it did to some extent but since it is the series and I'd liked the first three installments decided to stay with it. Still, not really liking it until more than half-way through at which point the struggles in the rain forest finally worth reading. The ending a let-down with loose ends not totally tied up in the postmortem letter. Several characters superfluous and merely disappear. Will try the next book in the series but if it is no better this series will not be completed by me. Great disappointment.

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Wish I'd Read This First

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a second book in the Cuba story but I actually wish I read it before Next Year in Havana. Both, however, are engrossing and interesting. To hear the Cuban viewpoint of the rise of Fidel and what it is like to live in exile in the US is fascinating. Still, though I can understand the first arrivals to this country after Fidel took over and Batista was overthrown, it is still beyond my understanding how those born here still grieve the loss of " their " country. Although, in this book, several of the exiles seem to have begun to move on and see themselves not as Cubans living in America but Americans making a life for themselves. The stories both add to the tapestry that is the American culture, made up of many different broths. Just excellent books, both,

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Lots of Misdirection

The Vicarage Murder by Joyce Cato
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lots of Misdirection !

Fun,light who done it. Not sure why there is the suggestion of attraction between the Vicar's wife and the policeman,however.

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Very Light Reading

Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very Light Readng

An okay mystery that is confusing rather than engrossing. Many of the characters are poorly defined and interactions are vague and boring. Good enough for a rainy day but even at that, I almost didn't finish it. Ending was abrupt and dissatisfying.

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Exciting Convoluted Thriller

Coercion by Tim Tigner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exciting and convoluted thriller

Trying to find his team's killer takes Alex Ferris deep into the cold of Siberia and depths of a Russian conspiracy!

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American Dirt--Falls Short of Literature, Despite the Hype

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review of an ARC provided by BookBrowse. A good novel, with some moments of excitement and others of suspense. Certainly not in the same class as Grapes of Wrath as the blurb says. The heroine and her son a bit more affluent and protected than most migrants from Central America trying to cross Mexico to reach the safety of the United States. The biggest unusual danger in this specific emigration flight is the riding of the trains--though Indians in India ride the roofs of trains as a matter of course. The dangers of rape, robbery, murder--always present when there is a mass of poor desperate people, whether trying to cross countries or confined in camps. Okay book, wouldn't rush out to buy it.

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Father of Lions--When Is It Important to Save Zoo Animals??

Father of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest to Save the Mosul Zoo by Louise Callaghan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well written book, though a bit repetitive. More than the salvation of the animals and the efforts of Abu Laith, his children, various friends, neighbors and merchants, the book gives a description of life in Mosul at various times. There are chapters describing life when Saddam Hussein, himself Sunni, was in power. As the present day story unfolds, Hussein is gone and the Shia Muslims are now in charge. Their army has checkpoints throughout the city and life is very regulated and not always pleasant for the Sunnis. Life gets much worse, however, when the jihadists of the Islamic State take over Mosul with no resistance from the American trained and supported army.
If there was one weakness of the book, it is that time seems to fly and the number of years in which Isis held the town is barely noticed. Still, the description of conditions for the people of the city and the efforts of some to leave is very tangible. I too love animals, and was happy to see that despite all the barriers put in the way, Dr Amir, an Egyptian veterinarian living in Austria and working for an animal rescue outfit called Four Paws was successful in getting them out of Iraq. He brought a military group to protect him and his crew and through negotiation and incredible self-control managed an almost impossible mission. Nevertheless, considering the conditions for the people of Mosul so far as water and food etc was concerned, I'm afraid my thinking was more in line with Lumia's , Abu Laith's wife and mother of his 12 children. At least two of which were born during this oppressive time and one of which has been born since. That fact also is hard for me to grasp as well--not enough food, a huge family and you bring in more mouths to feed--indeed, you take food from them and give it to the animals? That part of the story just left me shaking my head. Well, written book, though.

This review was of an ARC provided by Book Browse to discuss in their book club.

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