Audiobook Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Author: Matt Haig

Narrator: Carey Mulligan

Title: The Midnight Library

Genre: Fiction, Magical Realism, & Science Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  August 13, 2020

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets? A novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Review:

This is our book club book. I've seen the name and heard good things but I never added it to my TBR. Yayy for being forced! 

Here we follow Nora who finds herself with life just throwing everything at her. Everything has gone wrong, she feels left behind, left alone, and full of regrets. She now finds herself between life and death. In this area, there is a library and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a life that could have been if you made a slightly different choice. Nora will find herself dealing with her regrets and possibly choosing a new life. 

First...I will say there may be some triggering things here. This character is terribly depressed and full of anxiety. We deal with heavy things like death, addiction, and so forth. So be warned. 

I figured I would cry. I was close at the beginning when you just wanted to hug Nora and beg her not to do what she wanted to do. Poor thing. THINGS WILL GET BETTER!!!!! Nora is a doll and it broke my heart. But no tears. This will make you feel and make you think. 

To be honest...I did contemplate all my regrets and choices I made. Life could've gone a whole different direction. It would be interesting to see those lives....mainly out of curiosity not because I think they would've been better. But yes...a crazy and interesting concept. 

The ending was perfection *chefs kiss*. It was fitting and made me happy. It was slightly open-ended but it was fitting. Rare that an open-ended ending is good, but it worked well. 

Mhmmmmm....what to say without spoilers..................errrrrrrrr......this was good. It was interesting to see all our side characters and how they would end up with decisions Nora made. 

This is a great book club book. I can't wait to discuss this so I can go over the spoilers lollll!

The narrator was fantastic! Perfection. 

In the end, I liked this WAY more than expected to. This has a great concept and interesting characters. Normally endings that are even remotely open-ended bother me, buuuuut this was done right. It gives you just enough and it is sort of symbolic of the meaning of the book. I for sure recommend this. I'll stamp this a 5. 

Challenge(s):

- #56 for Audiobook Challenge

Book Review: Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

Author: Amanda Flower

Title: Crime and Poetry

Series: A Magical Bookshop Mystery #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Thriller

Format: Ebook

Pages: 364

Published: April 5, 2016

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you...

Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

Review:

Randomly found this at the library while just scrolling away. Books, magic, murder....some of my fave things ;) 

We follow Violet who rushes home to sit by her ailing grandma's bedside. However, when she arrives her grandma is completely fine. She had lied to get Violet to come back home and help her in her bookstore. This store...the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you. Violet won't be tricked into staying and has every intention of hightailing it back to Chicago, but when a dead man is discovered clutching a book she sold him and then her grandma is arrested and is a main suspect, she is forced to stay and help find the killer. 

This started off okay but I found I couldn't really get into it. 

Violet is kind of stuck up and Grandma was rude AF to lie like that. The mayor can F off. 

I liked the cat and I liked the chief of police. That was it. The small town didn't give me the small-town feels I was asking for. 

I stuck around for the mystery and the cat....and the chief of police *wink*. That was it. Maybe Violet gets better in the next one? IDK...I struggled with her. She was def on a high horse.

All-in-all, slightly rough beginning but I am willing to read book 2. I have hopes because I love the concept so much. Can I own a bookstore like this? PLEASE!? I'll give this 2 stars. 

Book Review: The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman

Author: Alice Hoffman

Title: The Bookstore Sisters

Genre: Short Story, Magical Realism, Contemporary fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 36

Published: November 1, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)

Summary: 

Isabel Gibson has all but perfected the art of forgetting. She’s a New Yorker now, with nothing left to tie her to Brinkley’s Island, Maine. Her parents are gone, the family bookstore is all but bankrupt, and her sister, Sophie, will probably never speak to her again.

But when a mysterious letter arrives in her mailbox, Isabel feels herself drawn to the past. After years of fighting for her independence, she dreads the thought of going back to the island. What she finds there may forever alter her path—and change everything she thought she knew about her family, her home, and herself.

Review:

Another freebie that I picked up from Amazon. Look at that cover! How could I resist? I honestly jumped into this without reading the summary. Took a risk and a gamble (which is a rare thing for me indeed).

Here we follow Isabel who has moved to New York and has nothing to tie her to her old life in Brinkley's Island, Maine. Her parents are both gone, the family bookstore is all but bankrupt, and her sister will probably never talk to her again. A recipe for her to move on with a new life. Things change when a mysterious letter arrives in her mailbox and Isabel is forced and drawn to the past. After years of fighting for her freedom, she reluctantly goes back to that island. What she finds will change everything. 

This was a quick read but it didn't feel like it. Not in a bad way mind you, but this had a lot of depth and character-development. It is a short story you need to take your time with....at least I did.

I really enjoyed watching Isabel and Sophie defrost and, essentially, find themselves and find each other.  

Now, I seen that this is listed as 'fantasy' on some people's shelves. There isn't a thing that is fantasy-like. I also seen 'magical realism' which is a stretch but you can see a tiny smidge of that in a couple parts. I would've liked some more tbh. I think it would've added something extra and nice. 

But yes, this was a nice short story. Some parts I did feel needed to be slightly longer. Instead of 30 something pages....maybe 50? Some parts needed more time. 

In the end, this was a nice people story with some depth. It could've been a hair longer to expend on some scenes and really get the meat of it....but it was nice overall. 3 stars from me. 

Book Review: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Author: Ruth Hogan

Title: The Keeper of Lost Things

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy, Magical Realism

Format: ebook

Pages: 277

Published: February 21, 2017

Where I Got It: Borrow from library

Summary: 

Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—

Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

Review:

Picked this up for book club. I was going to do the audio version but decided to just borrow the ebook from the library. 

Laura is recovering from a bad divorce. She is lost and decides to accept the position as Anthony's assistant. 40 years ago, Anthony lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée. That very same day she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony starts rescuing lost objects and writing stories about them, and finding their owners. In the twilight of his life, he hands over his life's mission to Laura by leaving her his house and all the lost treasures. We also follow Eunice who found a lost trinket on the London pavement and kept it throughout the years. With her life coming to an end soon, she will break her promise.

I wish I had loved this book. It has all the elements there for me, but it missed the mark for me. Maybe because there were just too many time jumps and too many players in the game? Too many parallel storylines going on?

One thing I know that didn't help was my feelings for Laura. I didn't like her from the moment we meet her. There was just something about her and her actions that rubbed me the wrong way. Not that she was a bad person...but she annoyed me. 

I also wanted more of Anthony and his love's story. I feel like a more linear way to tell the story would've worked better for me. See him fall in love, lose the keepsake, she dies, he grows old, meets Laura, and so on. Maybe I would've been hooked more because I did adore Anthony. 

Awwwww Sunshine was my absolute favorite! Adorable. 

Oooo! The ending was perfect! Great way to end it. I won't spoil anything, but it fit like a glove to end this tale. There is a little bit of hope for maybe another, but no cliffhangers or anything. You can just read this and be content. 

In the end, I wish I had liked this more. It just ended up being okay for me. I adored Sunshine and I wanted more of Anthony and less of Laura. There are some disjointed parallel storylines that just didn't sit well with me. However, I did like this and ending was good! Overall, this is a good choice for book club. There is a lot to discuss. 3 stars from me. 

Book Review: The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Author: Brunonia Barry
Title: The Lace Reader
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, & Magical Realism 
Pages: 390
Published: 2006 
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend



In the tradition of The Thirteenth Tale, Brunonia Barry’s bewitching gothic novel, The Lace Reader, is a phenomenon. Called “[a] richly imagined saga of passion, suspense, and magic” by Time Magazine, it is a haunting and remarkable tale told by an unforgettable, if strangely unreliable narrator—a woman from an enigmatic Salem family who can foretell the future in patterns of lace. The Lace Reader was a runaway New York Times bestseller—hitting the top lists in major cities across the country, from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles—and has immediately established debut author Brunonia Barry as a major force in contemporary American fiction.

My friend suggested I give this a read since she had read it and wasn't completely sure on her feelings, so she wanted to see what I thought and she thought I might like it may be more than she did. 

I am unsure, to be honest. 

The story follows Towner who can read lace. She had left town to get away from the drama and the town. Things happen and she must return so she can help try and solve the mystery of her Great-aunt's disappearance who had taught her the way of reading lace. She really doesn't want to since she will be facing a lot of drama and memories that haunt her. 

Unreliable narrators are always tricky. They can be interesting but then there is that shadow over the story so it can make it hard to truly grasp or understand the story. Which there really were times I was so doubtful that I just assumed none of it was real or accurate. I wanted to feel bad for Towner, but I had a hard time believing her especially since had that brain thing done to her which messed with her memory. 

The characters were the most interesting part of the story, but the story itself? Eh. I had a hard time really getting into the story because it was so stagnant and at times it was confused on what type of story it wanted to be. When things DID happen, it HAPPENED and I was hooked. However, there were very few times. 

Overall, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. It was simply just okay. The only thing that saved it from being bad was the characters. I was intrigued by them, but the story fell flat for me. I'll give this 2 stars. 

Joint Discussion: To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

Happy end of March! This month Blodeuedd and I read and discussed, "To the Bright Edge of the World". Blodeuedd is in red and I am in blue. 

Author: Eowyn Ivey
Title: To the Bright Edgae of the World
Genre: Historical Fiction and Magical Realism
Pages: ebook
First Published: August 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Bought on Amazon)

Colonel Allen Forrester receives the commission of a lifetime when he is charged to navigate Alaska's hitherto impassable Wolverine River, with only a small group of men. The Wolverine is the key to opening up Alaska and its huge reserves of gold to the outside world, but previous attempts have ended in tragedy.

For Forrester, the decision to accept this mission is even more difficult, as he is only recently married to Sophie, the wife he had perhaps never expected to find. Sophie is pregnant with their first child, and does not relish the prospect of a year in a military barracks while her husband embarks upon the journey of a lifetime. She has genuine cause to worry about her pregnancy, and it is with deep uncertainty about what their future holds that she and her husband part.

Yay, another Ivey book! I have wanted to read it since we read The Snow Child. It was not as good as the Snow Child, because they were really different.

Yesss! I was so excited when we decided to check this out. I think there is another book. But yes, it was very different.

At first I did not really know cos it was..different! ;) I missed the magical strangeness of the Snow Child, but it just sucked me in. I do like her writing and it had me reading, and reading, and reading. And I can not really explain why, because not a lot happened in a way.

There was a tiny, tiny couple of moments that were surreal, BUT that was because Allen and his company were starving. Hahaha. I agree. Normally I would’ve been bored with the lack of stuff happening, but the author has a way with her writing that keeps you hooked and wanting more.

Exactly, they were starving, can one really trust what they saw. Of course, I did like the surreal stuff and I want to believe it was real and not just the sickness, scurvy and lack of everything that made them think things.

And she really is an amazing writer for getting hooked liked that.

So...how did you like the format of the story? Like with the diary entries, letters, pictures, and jumping POV?

I liked it, it worked for me. I did not need the old guy with the curator, but it did bind the story together. And Sophie’s thoughts worked nice in the way it was done.

I wish she would’ve had the old dude and the curator say their peace at the end like an epilogue of sorts. That part I didn’t like much….BUT I loved Sophie’s thoughts. I really did like how you could tell who was writing/thinking. The format and style changed with each character. Allen didn’t know grammar to save his life tho LOLLL! Typical lazy man. ;D

You could really imagine who was talking, and I liked when that other guy wrote a few pages, now he could not write ;)

Sophie was the better of the writers. LOL. I felt so bad for her ;(

Me too, but I loved her she found her passion with photographs. That suited her.

Gotta do what you gotta do. I loved the added photos and drawings. It really made it feel like a collection of stuff instead of just a novel. Did you do any research after reading? I did! I didn’t realize this was based of real people.

I did not realise that! Now I feel bad for not reading up on them, I just assumed they were fake, and that she had taken her own pics or found some to use. But yes the drawings and photos were such a good bonus.

I like reading reviews after I read a book and someone shared a link to Allen’s journey on the military museum website (that is the only reason I knew). The author took some liberties for sure, but she did well capturing the real essence of the people.

I guess I have to google a bit later then :) I just assumed it was another guy who went on a journey and she used that to base this. But yup, I can guess where she took some liberties. I hope she writes something new soon. Her Alaska settings are really good.

Yes, she does good with bringing the world alive. She has another book out there. Maybe we can check it out one day.

I can only find a 29 page novella.

Maybe that is what I saw. Mhmmmm.

So let’s not. And let us hope instead she writes something more :D

Agreed, agreed. BTW - I must confess something……...I hated the ending and I hated Allen’s POV. D:

Throughout the whole book!? I liked it, it felt real for the army man he was. And no prob with the ending either.

I didn’t start kinda liking it until his return home entries and he was miserable the entire time. I think it was because I wasn’t fond of the character so I didn’t enjoy his POV. The ending just kind of ended. I wish there was more.

He sure was miserable, but I understood. I did not mind, I am glad he shaped up though cos else I would have been disappointed.

He did shape up a bit. IDK I think I was mad because he left Sophie when she really needed him, but I get it...the military-mentality of doing his duty. I just wish they would’ve let her come. THAT doctor she had needed a kick in the romp. Ugh.

He did not have much of a choice. Oh sorry, I can not leave on this important mission cos my wife is preggers, yeah, in that time he would have been without a job then.

For sure. I just wish he kept his promise on letting her come. Maybe they wouldn’t have ran out of food or been as miserable because she seemed like a planner and smart. Those three men did not seem the most prepared...their mission needed a woman’s help. LOLLLL

I Understood it like she would only have come to that place where that guy had that store, not on the entire trip.

I can’t remember. But even that would’ve been okay. At least take her with you part of the way so he could come back to her quicker. I maybe being harsh on Allen because I am biased and I didn’t like him.

I do not think she would have been happy at that village if they had left her there. Poor Allen ;)

Who knows! LOL And yes, poor Allen. Carole is a meanie xD

Done?

Yess, I’m done lol. :D Done?

The end….read the book everyone! ;)

READ BOTH OF THE BOOKS!!!! *throws books in the air*

:)

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Book Review - Near the Wild by Marueen Willett

Author: Maureen Willett
Title: Near the Wild
Genre: Historical Romance & Magical Realism
Pages: ebook
First Published: June 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to my by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

COWBOYS AND LEPRECHAUNS. Both occupy Maeve MacKeighry's world in 1870, and she must decide which will win her heart. Leprechauns are feared, even in Ireland, but that doesn't prevent Maeve from striking up a friendship with one who lives near her village. But once Maeve becomes a young woman, the local villagers start to gossip, especially since the MacKeighrys are known to practice magic in their home. It's just for entertainment, but the town folk don't see it that way. Rather than be outcasts, the MacKeighrys set off to America to homestead in Kansas, vowing to leave their magical ways and friends behind. Little do they know that Maeve's friend follows and protects them on their journey.

The MacKeighrys encounter many adventures along the way to Kansas, only to find a simple sod house on their new farm at the end of the journey. The untamed land offers a fresh start for the family, as well as two very interesting men who both compete for Maeve’s attention. Pretty young women in a wild western town are a rarity. But can she forget her magical friend, and turn her attention to two of the most interesting men she has ever met? Perhaps cowboys and outlaws have a certain charm that a leprechaun doesn't, after all.


What a fun and different book. I certainly loved the magical realism added to this historical romance. It was a nice little spark to the story. I do wish that Finn, the leprechaun (which don't call him that....he is a sprite) had more spotlight. He kept good on his promise and only stayed in the shadows and protected the family. I want more of Finn!

Even though it is impossible with a capital I for magical beings and humans to be together, Maeve is still in love with Finn, but then trouble comes when two other good looking fellas meet her and fall in love. One is a rich railroad monger and the other is an outlaw in the making who seeks adventures. Now, her poor heart is pulled in three directions. Girl can't catch a break. 

I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen and who she was going to pick, so that was refreshing. Honestly...I'm not sure who I would have picked...I would like to say Nikki, but I like Maeve I would have a hard time fitting in the American version of the ton. Rich people can really be such assholes especially to those not only poor but not "American". *shakes head* Pity, because the Irish are awesome. 

There were a slow couple of spots, but other then that I could hardly put the book down. I would have gotten it done in one sitting, but sadly I had housework to do because company was coming over. 

In the end, I really liked it. I wished that Finn had more airtime....I do want to learn more about him. Same with Maeve's brother Gavin. There were a couple spots that slowed me up, but the majority was one I could hardly put down. I high recommend this for this that like a touch of magic with historical romance. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 

Book Review: Hard-Boiled Wonderland & The End of the World by Haruki Murakami

Author: Haruki Murakami
Title: Hard Boiled-Wonderland & The End of the World
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Sci-Fi, & Mystery
Pages: ebook
First Published: 1985
Where I Got It: My shelf (friend gifted it to me)

Unicorn skulls and voracious librarians, John Coltrane and Lord Jim. Science fiction, detective story and post-modern manifesto all rolled into one rip-roaring novel, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is the tour de force that expanded Haruki Murakami's international following. Tracking one man's descent into the Kafkaesque underworld of contemporary Tokyo.





Honestly, Murakami is becoming one of my favorite authors. Sadly, this was not one of my favorites. It was okay. The others ones I've read are better so far. 

The beginning was slow, interesting, but slow. The jumps in the fantasy world and the "normal" world seemed awkward at times and it didn't make sense until near the end. After a while (once I understood what that fantasy world meant to the main story plot), I actually enjoyed those little fantasy point of views. I can't say, but it is important to the story plot. Honestly, it was clever how the author made the world parallel to the main story going on.

The man character was odd, but I did like him. He has a lot of little quirks that don't seem to make any sense to the story until later on. 

I also liked the chubby girl. She was an odd duck and even tho she was only 17, I was rooting for them to get together, but he wasn't interested in relationships and his heart was divided between the chubby girl and the other girl (I believe she was a professor or librarian I believe). I wanted to smack the Scientist. >_> Playing around with people's brains is not cool - I totally get WHY and I'd be tempted, but still....

I think there were some translation issues from time-to-time. I would love to read this in the original language.

Oddly enough, I really did like the ending. I felt bad for the shadow and I anticipated it was going to happen (once I understood the correlation between the real world and the fantasy world), but I was hoping it wasn't going to happen. The ending, also made me understand the title of the book and especially my wanting to call this "Hard-boiled eggs". haha. The book club chuckled at me calling it that, but it makes sense. People call smart people or people stuck in their heads egg heads. And *SPOILER ALERT* the fantasy is in the main guys head. It's his own world. The "end of the world" is because one of the worlds is going to end; reality or the fantasy world. What happens to an egg when you boil it or crack it? Its the end of the life inside the egg - thus the end of the world for one of the lives in the main guy's head. It all makes sense! *END OF SPOILER* Thus my nickname for the title. 

In the end, this was good. Not the best from the author's previous works I've read. I can't wait to read more! I highly encourage to start with "After Dark". The ending was good, sad, but good. There were a lot of slow spots, some translation issues, and some confusion until about halfway. Out of five stars, I shall stamp this with 3 stars. More like 2.5 but since I do not give decimals, I rounded. 

Joint Book Review: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

This month Blodeuedd and I will be reading 'The Snow Child' by Eowyn Ivey! :D 






Author: Eowyn Ivey
Title: The Snow Child
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, & fantasy
Pages: 386
First Published: Janurary 2011
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart—he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season’s first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone—but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.

This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place, things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

B: Ok, how should we start today?

C: Mmmmm, first I want to ask the question: do you believe the girl was the snow maiden or just a regular girl?

B: I liked how the book felt like magical realism, and I did wonder in the beginning. But then after the dad was found, it still felt like magical realism, and I loved it. But no, I did not think she was the snow maiden. She was a regular girl.

C: Agreed. Like Mabel I wanted her to be the snow maiden. However, I like how the author leaves it up to reader. There sure is evidence that she IS and that she ISN’T.

B: Yes, she did that well. Magical realism, and still no magical realism cos there is no magic. Ohhh, I like. But then I adore books like this. Where magic can be felt and they just feel so special. I had high hopes for this book and it turned out to be awesome :D

C: It was nice! I was worried that it was going to be too fantastical, but the Magical realism was nice. I was also worried that I failed and picked a stinker, because the first 25 pages were super slow. I could barely keep going, but once I hit page 26 I was good and I read it within 24 hours! :D That is rare for me ;)

B: Really? I am glad you read on. I knew from page 1 that I loved it :) I can like slow if the words are just sweet poetry to me. Ok so not poetry. But it flowed, steady and nice. I felt the story, the sadness, yes it is pretty obvious that I liked this one. Not only for the story, but for the excellent writing.

C: I loved her writing style! It was beautiful. However, it was the story at first I was worried about and Mabel. I did not care for Mabel at first (in those 25 pages), but then I understood her more as the story went along and I liked her. What did you think of Mabel and Jack?

B: I understood how she wanted to be out there all alone, no people. No one asking about them and all that. A fresh start. But you need people, and I liked how she slowly understood that. Jack, oh he was working himself to death wasn’t he? It just made me sad for them. They need something in their life, and they received that.

C: Poor Jack. He was working himself to death and get why he didn’t want Mabel to help, but honestly….she should have just went out and started doing stuff. But yes, they certainly received that something!

B: Yes, she should have helped more, baking pies to sell is not all she could do. But then he should have asked. She did ask  him, but he was all I am a man. I can do this stuff. And yes it was a hard life, but there is always something to do.

C: Of course he is going to say that! He is a 20th century man. lol. That is why she should have just put on some pants and went out there. So….the ending….what did you think?

B: Ok, the ending, how not to spoil things. It fit. It made me sad. It made me hopeful. It made me believe. It made me question things. It was sadly a great ending. I could not have seen another ending.

C: Yes. It was the perfect ending for Fania and the whole story. It was sad and it made me mad for a hair, but then I realized that it was meant to happen. The author threw in so many foreshadows throughout the book. Especially with the one part with Fania’s dad…...I wish I could say, but yeah.

B: But there is always hope, and yes I admit, I held on to that hope you know. If you catch my meaning ;) No spoilers.

C: I get the hope and I see it! However, I am a negative person, so I am assuming the worse ;).

B: No, no negativity! Hope is alive. Nothing was found. Everyone lived happily ever after :) Sort of.

C: Poor Garrett...even though he knew what he was in for. hahaha Okay….okay….I will pretend that everything was happy and full of rainbows ;)

B: Rainbows :D And lots of potatoes, moose and strawberries to eat for them.

C: Hahaha and blueberries. Now...do you think you’ll read more by this author? I know I am curious to see what else she has up her sleeve!

B: I checked at once and saw that she only has this short story :/ That made me really sad. I loved her style, and I would love to read more by her. She must write more!!!!! I would love for her to mix in another fairytale too.

C: WHAT?! Now I AM UPSET! Maybe she is working on something while we are speaking????? SHE MUST! I would love another fairytale!

B: Reading her blog at the moment. In December she talked about her manuscript being ready so there is hope, there is always hope!!!

C: HOPE!!!!!!

Do you have anything else to add? Any questions?

B: Not really. I only want to add that everyone EVERYONE must read this book. It was fantastic, fantastical. Great writing, great story. A must read for every fiction lover

C: I totally agree! I may pick this book for my book club when it is my choice of book! :D It’s really good.

B: I found a name, Shadows on the wolverine. We should totally review it when it is out...like in 2016 *sigh*

C: Ooooooooo. I am game! I am even willing to pay for it...maybe….haha.

B: LOL. I did get this one from the library. Thank you library for being awesome!

C: Same here! Thank you library! It is beaten up and has been loved a lot it seems. :)

B: Let’s call this the end then, and your turn to pick a book right?

C: Ok! Good job buddy! I picked this one remember? LOL YOUR TURN! Mwuahahahahahahahahahaha *munches on carrot*

B: But I gave you a list of books my library has ;)

C: LOL and I happen to have wanted to read this book for a wee bit. ;) FINE…..I will pick again! WAH!

B: or shall I give you a few my library has suggestions? *jumps up and down*

C: I will take your list and contemplate...haha….

So...the end?

B: The end :)

**MORE FROM CAROLE:
In conclusion, I really liked this book. It was a quick read and I got it done within 24 hours. As you know, that is rare for me. haha. I did love the characters even though Mabel annoyed me in the beginning, but I grew to understand her more. The ending was bittersweet and it was sad, but there was some hope. The only issue I had with the book was the beginning 25 pages....I was worried the story was going to be a let down, but it certainly got better! The writing style was simple beautiful! No other words can describe it! Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars. 
   

Favorite Character(s): Jack, Ester, George, & Faina
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Ummmm...no one in particular.