Book/Play Review: The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare

Title: The Tempest

Genre: Classic, Play, Drama, Comedy, Fantasy

Format: paperback

Pages: 218

Published: 1611

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, uses magic to shipwreck his treacherous brother Antonio and King Alonso on his enchanted island. Over twelve years prior, Prospero was exiled with his daughter, Miranda. On the island, Prospero commands the spirit Ariel and the native Caliban, manipulating the castaways through illusions.

Review:

So I have ascended to a new level of nerd....I have been accepted and joined the Flint Shakespeare Club. Weeee! I literally cried when I found out!!! How cool? What is this cool club? Well, it is a club where a bunch of like-minded folks sit around and read the play out loud and then discuss the Act(s) we just went through. Plus snackies at the end!

This was winter's book to read. Which was exciting for me because I hadn't read this one! I have slowly been going through all the plays. 

This is a tale of revenge and forgiveness. Some love and a lot of comedy mixed in. 

This play feels so different than a lot of Billy S's other plays. It still has his humor and wordplay. However, it felt like a goodbye of sorts. One can debate that the ending epilogue was a final goodbye to his fans and the public. This was his last play. Was it planned? Only guesses can keep us warm at night. 

I found this very charming. The characters and the lore and the story....charming and meaningful.

I kept thinking, though....the poor actors who play Prospero. SOOO many monologues and so many lines. Damn. I wouldn't be able to remember all my lines. 

But yes, this was really good. Honestly, I think it may have found it's way onto my top 3 fave plays by Billy S. I still have a few to get through, but this was a lovely read. 

5 stars from me. 

Re-listen: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Alexandra Harris
Title: Murder of Crows

Series: The Others #2

Genre: UF, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook
Published: March 4, 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

After winning the trust of the Others residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murder of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader—wonders if their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now, the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Review:

I picked this for our re-reads session of my Book Club. I made everyone read book 1 the last time, and they liked it....so I made them read book 2 ;) Plus, I've been itching for some more. This series has evolved into a comfort book series FOR sure. 

Weee third time is a charm!

Humans are at it again. The Others are just trying to live. Meg is trying to find balance and her footing. She gained their trust, but there are still some issues.

I remember finding Meg so annoying and slowly warming up to her as the books goes along. Now I love her. I love all our mains. I'm team Others. I would want to work there. 

This is sad. We get to see a glimpse of how the Humans treated people like Meg, and it will make you mad. So sad. Some trigger warnings to be had. Nothing in great detail happens, but it is mentioned, and you can assume the worse. 

Ooooh, that ending. 

The narrator is a gem, and I can't imagine anyone else doing this series. 

Originally, I had this at a 4 the last two times I read it. Seems like it was because of my frustrations with Meg and Simon having so many issues. Silly issues at times. Yes, still silly in my opinion. I might just keep it at 4. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #5

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Pumpkin Spice and Pour-Overs by Elise Kennedy

Release date: 01-19-23

Length: 1 hr and 37 mins

Narrated by: Andria Mae

Publisher: Elise Kennedy

Categories: Romance

From spotify

It was good for what it was meant for. A short audiobook for when you need something short. Or as for me, when spotify does not tell me how much I have left! Is it 2 h and 59 min or 2 hours and 10 min. Ugh, spotify complain finished.

Right so Becca wants to work in this book store, she meets a hot guy on the train and he also wants the job. Then they have to share a hotel room too, and yes it is a short story so they get busy and things work out for them.

Fall feels, romance, and booklovers.

Becca Habar is determined to get her dream managing a bookstore in Benning Falls, Vermont. The only things standing in her way? A bumpy train, no place to stay, and a bookish, kind, broad-shouldered stranger who is determined to get the job first.

Only one bed. Cinnamon roll MMC. Vermont in the fall. A cozy train ride. Too many coffees. A small-town bookstore. A "good girl".

Book Review: A Royal Kiss and Tell by Julia London

Author: Julia London

Title: A Royal Kiss & Tell

Series: A Royal Wedding #2

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 384

Published: May 19, 2020

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Every prince has his secrets. And she’s determined to unravel his…

Every dashing young man in London’s ton is vying for Lady Caroline Hawke’s hand—except one. Handsome, delectable roué Prince Leopold of Alucia can’t quite remember who Caroline is, and the insult is not to be tolerated. So, Caroline does what any clever, resourceful lady of means would do to make sure a prince remembers her: sees that amusingly risqué morsels about Leo’s reputation are printed in a ladies’ gossip gazette…all the while secretly setting her cap for the rakish royal.

Someone has been painting Leo as a blackguard, but who? Socially, it could ruin him. More important, it jeopardizes his investigation into a contemptible scheme that reaches the highest levels of government in London. Now, Leo needs Lady Caroline’s help to regain access to society. But this charming prince is about to discover that enlisting the deceptively sweet and sexy Lady Caroline might just cost him his heart, his soul and both their reputations…

Review:

I read book 1 a while back, and I remember liking this. I was curious about 2, and it was now available at my library. So why not?

Here we follow Caroline and Leo. Leo has secrets, and Caroline is desperate to uncover them because he doesn't remember her. A Rake? Not remember her Lady of the Ton? Unacceptable. She finds out someone has been painting Leo as a blackguard, but who and why? Socially, it will ruin him, but it could jeopardize his investigations into a scheme that reaches the highest levels of the government. He needs Caroline and her connections. 

This was rough for me to get into. I don't know why, really. I liked the added layer of intrigue and society scrutiny. The two were interesting enough. Caro was a little shallow and selfish, but she is sweet enough. Leo has a huge heart, but he's a bull in a China shop. They truly need each other. 

The intrigue kept me hooked enough to want to finish it. I didn't really even care about their love. I mean...I cared a touch, but....eh. 

But yes, I just don't think I connected with this story. I was interested enough to finish it, but the resolution of this one is good enough for me. I believe there are more in the series, but there are no side characters I care enough about to read more. 

I'll give this 2 stars.

 

Reading Challenges

-  Reading Romance Challenge #3 (Pink Dress)

- Library Love #4