Unique Setting Archives

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021

Those I Have Lost (Maas)-BoT-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I feel like I have started reviews like this several times, but it bears repeating.

I love learning new things, especially from historical novels. WWII is a popular time setting, and it is very easy to find any number of books featuring some aspect of that particular war. This book is one of them.

It’s easy to get tunnel vision about WWII as well because we tend to think of mainly of England, America, Germany, and France (for the most part) – and again, there are certainly several books that cover the numerous stories from those countries.

However, the setting in this one is truly unique, as I don’t think I have ever read about WWII from the perspective of people in India/Sri Lanka (Ceylon). That alone makes this book worth your time. There’s more to like and discover, though.

The author has a knack for creating strong heroines who face unusual struggles (see Her Darkest Hour). That is definitely the case for Rosie.

When her mother dies unexpectedly, she is thrust into a position that is totally strange to her. Add in WWII and the impact it has on her new home, and it’s a compelling story.

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It did take me a while to get into the book. There was a long setup to establish Rosie’s perspective, including much detail about the how and why she ends up where she does. And it takes a very long time for the author to get back to tying in the prologue.

But once WWII begins, the story really takes off. There is excitement, dread, fear, romance…everything you could want from a historical novel.

I will say that if you’re looking for a happy ending, you won’t exactly find it here. But you will find realistic relationships and resolutions. I do like that about this author. She understands that war does not necessarily make for happy or heartwarming endings – but there is a sense of hope.

What stood out most for me were the descriptions. The author gives vivid details of clothing, places, and customs. For me, that almost made it like two novels combined – life in Ceylon in the 1930s and 40s, but with the war added in.

I love the richness of the details in this author’s stories. Her unique settings and perspectives make her favorite, and I highly recommend this book.

Twitter: @sharon_maas
https://www.sharonmaas.com/

Author Bio:

Sharon Maas was born into a prominent political family in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. After leaving school, she worked as a trainee reporter with the Guyana Graphic in Georgetown and later wrote feature articles for the Sunday Chronicle as a staff journalist.

Her first novel, Of Marriageable Age, is set in Guyana and India and was published by HarperCollins in 1999. In 2014 she moved to Bookouture, and now has ten novels under her belt. Her books span continents, cultures, and eras. From the sugar plantations of colonial British Guiana in South America, to the French battlefields of World War Two, to the present-day brothels of Mumbai and the rice-fields and villages of South India, Sharon never runs out of stories for the armchair traveller.

July 9, 2020July 8, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The Ringmaster’s Daughter by Carly Schabowski

I started this book expecting one thing and I was pleasantly surprised with what I took away from it.

A lot of historical fiction set in World War II is set in the midst of the war. This book was unique because it starts before the Germans invade and occupy Paris. Right there I knew I was in for something different. The opening scenes of Michel trying to leave Paris were harrowing, and perfectly captured the panic and urgency of the situation.

I found Michel to be a complicated lead character. On the one hand, he seemed like a drifter and someone who had no particular attributes that made a reader want to root for him. I couldn’t quite get a grasp on who he really was. I think perhaps that was purposeful because it allowed him to fit in with the group he ended up with ultimately.

That group is the reason this book is good. The main thrust of the plot is the woebegone circus trying to find places to perform in the face of impending war. The juxtaposition of the horrors of war and the magic of a circus is clever and made the emotions around each much stronger. For each bit of news or encounter with the Nazis, I wanted the joy of the circus to hang on a little bit longer.

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Not that the circus doesn’t have its problems, but it’s up to the reader to find out what those are (I am definitely not going to give away plot points here). I will say that I suspected a major one and was not surprised by it. But I loved reading about the backgrounds of the various circus performers and felt that they really came alive from the pages.

I did think that there was a big but slow build up, as most of the book covers just over a year or so. But then the last 10% of the book covers years and we get the wrap-up of all of the characters briefly and almost as an afterthought, not to mention the end of Michel’s story is very abrupt. I felt like there had been so much invested in these characters’ stories that they deserved a better ending.

My only other complaint is that the title gives away a major plot point (well, two, kind of). I couldn’t get behind Michel’s worries as he joined the circus because of the title. That was a shame, because his concern did add to the tension of the plot. But it ultimately meant nothing to me because I knew the truth.

It was magically lyrical at times and was a nice departure from the usual historical fiction settings. I would recommend this book.

Author Bio
Carly Schabowski worked as a journalist in both North Cyprus and Australia before returning to Oxford, where she studied for an MA and then a PhD in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University. Carly now teaches at Oxford Brookes University as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing for first and second-year English literature students.

June 27, 2020July 2, 2020

Blog Tour (Review): The Black Swan of Paris

I’ll be honest: this book had me at the theater. I always like finding unique settings in historical fiction novels, and this one certainly qualifies.

I loved how the author set everything up. The connections between characters were tenuous and not easily discernable, adding a bit of mystery. The backstory unfolds slowly, which adds to the tension that is already felt through the setting.

I think that there must have been copious amounts of research because the author captured the essence of theater. Having been in theater myself, I could picture the costumes and stage area, and I could practically smell the aroma that all backstage areas seem to share. Sweat, makeup, perfume, and grease (among others) all combine into a scent that is uniquely “theater.”

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Not only was the general theatrical atmosphere accurate, but the author also managed to balance the ominous presence of the Nazis against the magic of the theater. It was an interesting juxtaposition that gave those scenes depth.

As to the plot itself, has everything a good read should have. There’s intrigue, espionage, romance, and…oh yeah, don’t forget the Nazis. A stunning singer with a hidden past and her dashing manager (who is not what he seems) are the stars, but the secondary characters have just as much depth. And everyone has secrets.

I did think that the plot sagged a bit after the initial introductions and set-up. There were still important points, but the drive forward slowed. Fortunately, it sped up quickly, and the last third of the book was nonstop action. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but let’s just say that it was all very movie-worthy.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s attention to detail. She really created theatrical Paris in the last stages of the Nazi occupation, and made me care what happened to the characters.

AUTHOR BIO

Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards.

Author Website: http://karenrobards.com/
TWITTER: @TheKarenRobards
FB: @AuthorKarenRobards

Thanks for stopping by for the second entry in the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Check back in later this month for The Woman Before Wallis.

June 3, 2020May 31, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey

Hands down, one of the most unique settings for a crime thriller that I have ever read, this book had me enthralled from beginning to end.

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I’m always excited to find a new crime series. Clara Jefferies is a detective to root for, not only because she is an intelligent investigator, but because she escaped a life that would have sent her in a completely different direction.

I thought the choice of a polygamist town was bold and fascinating. Making Elijah’s People a fundamentalist Mormon sect allowed the author to explore the nature of polygamy and all of the restrictions and rules that go along with it.

I found the perspective to be thought-provoking. On the one hand, there are aspects to that type of living that go against what is acceptable in society. On the other hand, there were times that they were quite sympathetic.

One such example is how the women and sister wives were left practically destitute when some of the men were arrested in previous years. It was a stark illustration not only of the rules they lived by but also how deep-rooted the beliefs were. Either the author has first-hand experience or did extensive research because the level of detail was incredible.

The author also did a great job of keeping the action moving even in times where not a lot was happening; the dialogue was crisp, and the interactions kept everything the investigation moving forward. I also thought that the chapters from Delilah’s point of view added to the mystery while also answering some questions.

I especially appreciated that the author kept me guessing until the very end. The clues weren’t exactly red herrings, but they were enough to keep me off-balance as to who the perpetrator was. Even beyond that, I liked how it ended. We have to wait for the next book to see what Clara’s final decision was, and I think that’s brilliant.

I look forward to reading Clara Jefferies’ investigations in many books to come!

Author Bio
A novelist and award-winning journalist, Kathryn Casey is the author of eleven highly acclaimed true crime books and the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. Library Journal picked THE KILLING STORM as one of the best mysteries of 2010. Her latest true crime, IN PLAIN SIGHT, investigates the Kaufman County prosecutor murders, a case that made worldwide headlines.

Casey has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, the Biography Channel, Reelz, The Travel Network, Investigation Discovery, and many other venues. Ann Rule called Casey “one of the best in the true crime genre.”