BOOK REVIEW: "Heaven's Silhouette"

This story sounded so interesting, and the idea of a winged race of warriors called Iyarri hiding in the lore of angels was intriguing.

The story is told from the point of view of the main character, Aurelia (Lia), and focuses on her constant struggles. It's hard to describe, but there was really no focus in this book, no characters to like, and no real resolution to anything. 

Spoiler alert:  

The entire thing is basically Aurelia bumbling around and being injured, exhausted, unconscious, confused and scared, her fate controlled by others. Inexplicably, she even continues to feel empathy for those who injure and harm her the most.

Granted, she endures a lot of violence, but she does not demonstrate any growth or gain strength from those encounters.  She ultimately overcomes quite a bit, but she gains no confidence from it. I kept waiting for her to get angry and fight back and make her own decisions, but she didn't and she felt like a constant victim.

The other characters are pretty one-dimensional, and continue to act the same and hold the same beliefs regardless of what they see or encounter. The little bit of romance was insta-love. Aurelia's father has no redeeming qualities when it comes to how he treats and feels about his daughter. And it was so frustrating that Lia continued to believe her proven-to-be-a-liar betrayer, even after he tried to kill her.  

I really wanted to like the Iyarri, but I couldn't due to their blind hate of humans and halfbloods, which did not change. There was no tension in the story, just a string of things just happening to Lia. The book ended with Lia sobbing (as per usual) and some events yet to come, but not exactly a cliffhanger.  

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. 

⭐⭐💫

Thanks to NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my review.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Absinthe Earl"

This book has all the things I love! It's set in Ireland in the 1880's with an intelligent and independent, (but not annoying) heroine, a secretly tormented gorgeous humble nobleman (strong and vulnerable), lots of paranormal faerie, and mystery to unravel! Not to mention that beautiful cover!

The story is very smart and intriguing and the author does a great job detailing ancient Irish folklore, and weaves it expertly through the story. The characters' dialogue stays true to the period, and flowed naturally. Of course it got very steamy, but that aspect was not relied upon as the driver of the main story, which ended up being much larger in scope than first anticipated. 

The action is plentiful and quickly-paced, and I unwittingly stayed up till 2am the night I started! The writing was easy to read, and I found that I was sad to leave this world and the characters when the book ended. I can't wait to read the next in this series!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publish date: October 15, 2019

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Art of Dying"

This story definitely delivered on the bad guys: psychologically disturbing torture and gore as well as the predicably violent mobster gangs.  On the law enforcement side, it also had the stereotypical hard-nosed lieutenant, politically-hamstrung police chief, inept FBI agents, and the aging chauvinistic partner. And of course, our brash, young hero Detective Ray who follows the case leads, regardless of the danger and in spite of procedure or dept policy.

The story moved along, but I just didn't feel connected with the characters (and there were a lot!), especially Ray after what he did halfway through the book. I can see the author wanting to blur the lines of good/bad, but I had no character to really like and so was not emotionally invested.

The horror was okay, but felt a little forced for shock value, and the killer's motives weren't very imaginative.

Overall, it was entertaining, but it wasn't a very compelling psychological thriller.

⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Hidden Lives of Jack the Ripper's Victims"

I was so glad to see this book, as it focuses on the victims of the crimes as opposed to the perpetrator.  It was a well-written reporting of facts told as a story for each victim in the order of her death.

Even without dramatic flair, the abject poverty in which these, and other East Londoners lived is made tragically clear. The trajectory of these women's lives could have been so different if not for, as the author states, "the fickleness of fate - unemployment, abandonment, homelessness, or the death of a parent, husband or child".

The book is meticulously researched and there are pictures and documentation of the places referenced. Pictures of the victims post-mortem are also included. The historical backdrop of the political and social climate of London at the time is really brought to life.

I highly recommend this book as a commemoration to those poor women who had the misfortune to cross paths with a killer. Their lives were important, and these are their stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to Net Galley and Pen & Sword Publishers for an ARC in exchange for my review.