THE WINTERS by Lisa Gabriele

Publisher:      Viking

Published:      October 16, 2018

ISBN:      : 978-0525559702

Genre:     Contemporary, Gothic

Format:     Print from Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

THREE HEARTS

 

An unnamed woman works at a boat yard in the Caymans.  Her life hasn’t been all that easy, especially with the death of her father.  He’d worked for Laureen, a woman who owned several charter boats in the marina.  When he died, the woman whose story this is, took his place.  Living day to day, sailing, fixing boats, taking our charters, her life is fairly routine.  Then one day Max Winter arrives.  Recently widowed with a teenaged daughter he is in the Caymans seeking some peace.  When he and the narrator meet there is a connection neither can deny.  In short order he asks her to marry him and she agrees.  They return to his home, on Long Island, Asherley, and there begin their life together.

But all is not easy, Dani, Max’s daughter is troubled.  She smokes, drinks, gets high and generally acts out like a spoiled teen.  At first it seems Dani is attacking the narrator, trying to undermine her relationship with Max.  But then the story of Max’s first wife,  Rebekah, begins to come out leaving the narrator with more questions than answers.  Still, she loves and is in love with Max and will do anything to remain by his side…anything.  But after their wedding things begin to spiral out of control leaving the narrator to wonder just who did she marry.

I’m of two minds about Lisa Gabriele’s THE WINTERS.  Based on, or as the blurb says inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s REBECCA, parts read like a revised REBECCA.  Much like Hollywood, rather than create a new story is redoing original movies, classic movies with modern elements, at times I felt the “original” REBECCA” was a better read.  But then, I am a huge du Maurier fan.  I wondered what would be next – MY COUSIN RACHEL?  FRENCHMAN’S CREEK? 

Then again, Gabriele tells an often page turning story.  There were parts that lagged and I wanted to skim, but I won’t skim a review book-I might miss something.  But the white knuckle-keep you up late a night-just one more chapter sections were wonderful.  It was a little weird not having a name for our heroine—interesting device, but how to refer to her? 

There were times I wanted to swat Dani on the behind because she was such a brat.  Not in a bad way, but in a way that leaves you feeling like you are part of the story…that there is a piece of you in the story.

I struggle with what is to me the needless killing of an animal.  I know there are sick people who do that—I don’t need it in my fiction.  I knew what was coming with the kitten was introduced but read on hoping I was wrong.  Warnings need to be put on books that an animal is brutally killed in a book.  At least be warned.

THE WINTERS was a decent read.  I’ll read Gabriele again.  And there were, as I said, page turning sections…many more of them than mundane or skimable. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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EONA by Alison Goodman

Sequel to Eon

Publisher: Viking Juvenile Publishing

Date published: April 19^th, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-670-06311-6

Paperback ARC

Fantasy Young Adult

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Eona-Alison-Goodman/dp/0670063118/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349552413&sr=1-1&keywords=Alison+Goodman

Eon was forced to reveal that she is actually Eona, one of the very first female dragoneye and now along with two of her friends, she is on the run from the High Lord Sethon and his army. Determined to find the folio that a certain drug addicted Dillon stole to finding young emperor, Kygo; life on the run is more than they thought it would be like. Now Eona must not only deal with her growing dragoneye power but also find a way to deal with betrayal, power mad people and more. For if Eona is to survive along with their friends and allies, she needs to find a way to channel her power before it’s too late.

I have got to admit, I have never read book one, Eon, so I was a little lost in reading this but overall, not reading book one doesn’t detract from this amazing world that Alison Goodman has created. There was a ton of action, fast paced storyline and amazing cast of characters in this world. Lots of drama plays out but it works in EONA perfectly especially with a few twists in there that had me going “Whoa!” and flipping the pages quickly to see what happens next. The characters are the heart of the story here. Well written, engaging and definitely some of the best I have read in a long time, Ms. Goodman doesn’t do things by half. She creates a cast of characters that grow with the story and for me, which is the perfect gem of this book.

EONA is a woman who finds herself hunted and who is the hunter. Always trying to be one step ahead of High Lord Sethon’s army and determined to find the young emperor so he can end this madness that surrounds her, she finds her power is growing daily and it takes all her strength to harness it, to use and understand it. I found Eona to be a flawed character-she lies, manipulates and loves/hates with abandon but I have a feeling that is how this author wanted her to be. Perfect characters are boring and here we have a character that is just as flawed as humans are. It was brilliantly done and I alternated between liking and hating her a few times through this book.

Overall, EONA is a madcap ride from start to finish and you will either love it or hate it. If you enjoy a fantasy that has imperfect characters, a gripping storyline and a fast pace, then I highly recommend EONA though I recommend reading book one, Eon, first to understand how the story got started. I can’t wait to read Eon then EONA again to see what happened to Eona in the beginning. Truly a marvelous story and one that is sure to be read again by me.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY by Marian Keyes

Publisher: Viking Adult
Date published: January 2010
ISBN: 978-0670021406
Contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


A spirit is roaming Dublin, looking for a special house. Finally, it arrives at 66 Star Street. Someone’s life is about to be changed, but the spirit is uncertain about who this person will be. Various people live in this house and their lives are viewed by this spirit. Katie has just reached 40 and her boyfriend, Conall, is a workaholic and not ready for a commitment. A married couple, Maeve and Matt, seem to have a good marriage, but something is very wrong with them. Lydia is a young, sassy taxi driver who shares an apartment with two polish boys. She worries about her aging mother and a strong desire for one of her roomies. Then there is Jemima, an elderly woman who is a bit psychic. She has her adopted son Fionn staying with her. The spirit looks into each of their lives, learning all it can about each one. Each one of these characters will find their lives interlocking with each other as the spirit finds the one it needs.

I haven’t read a book by Marian Keyes before and this one has made up my mind that I must read more of her work. This is a fascinating mixture of light comedy with dark threads running through it. I particularly liked the viewpoint of the spirit. Throughout the whole story you are not sure what this spirit is and why it is there and this alone had me propelling through the book to find out. Was it an angel of death? Or an angel of love? I cannot tell you as this will spoil a mighty fine story.

Ms Keyes delves deep into her characters lives and brings out every nuance of their character. There some real tragic moments, but also some very laugh out loud moments too. I was fascinated by these people’s lives and was amazed at how different they all were. I felt like I was like the spirit that was watching real live people. I can highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read another by this very talented author.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

ANGELOLOGY by Danielle Trussoni

Publisher: Viking
Date published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0670021475
Mythical, contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


After her mother had been murdered, Evangeline’s father brought her to America and left her with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in New York. Now she’s twenty-three and after a young man asks to visit the archives of the convent, she discovers some correspondence between the mother superior and Abigail Rockefeller. Abigail, the young man, her grandmother and the sisters of the convent are thrown into an age old battle between human and the Nephilim. The Nephilim are the descendants of angels and humans and are now in top key places around the world, orchestrating their own agenda. The angelologists are those keeping a track on these creatures and insuring they never get the upper hand. Evangeline has a whole lot of learning to do when she finds out that her parents and her grandmother are angelologists. Soon they are running from the evil Percival, a Nephilim who is sick and needs what they are hiding to be healed again. But poor Evangeline also has to find out what her destiny is and on what side she belongs.

This is an intriguing story on many levels. I particularly enjoyed all the Biblical and mythological references made. This author has very cleverly drawn all these references to give her readers a believable story which may seem out of this world. The suspense is well written and all your emotions will be pulled tight as you read. Although I was fascinated by what I was reading, I was also a little disappointed. I found a few things confusing and some ‘whys’ left out. I was wondering if the Nephilim were not as clever as the author said and relied on watching the angelologists for their information, why didn’t the angelologists just leave the artifact hidden so that the Nephilim wouldn’t find it? I am also not that sure about the ending. It certainly wasn’t what I expected and I’m not so sure that I am happy about it. The only person I really liked in this story was Evangeline’s grandmother and her whole story. It was also a shame that the evil Nephilim Percival wasn’t somehow more so. On the whole a story that is ok to read, but don’t expect too much literary greatness.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

HELEN OF TROY by Margaret George

Publisher Viking – The Penguin Group
Date published August 2006
ISBN 067003778-8
Historical Fiction
Hardcover
Reviewed by Gina





Who does not know the tale of Helen, the woman whose face launched a thousand ships and the great love she shared with Paris of Troy? Or how bravely Achilles fought for the Greeks? Or how the Greeks gave the Trojans the spectacular horse, forever known as The Trojan Horse and thus brought about the end of the war?

Helen of Sparta married Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon, both of Mycenae. The marriage was not a love match. Rather, for Helen who would pass the crown of Sparta unto her husband, it was a marriage to a kind and gentle man. One who she could feel comfort with. One who would do anything for her, anything but let her go. Theirs is a marriage of comfort, however not one blessed by the passion of Aphrodite.

When Paris of Troy visits Sparta, Helen cannot stay away from him. So drawn to Paris Helen leaves all she has, including her beloved daughter, to be with Paris. Together they flee for Troy. Envoys are sent from Greece—“give us back our Queen.” All are unheeded which leads to the Trojan War. For ten long years the Greeks attack, lay siege and one by one kill off the Trojan royal family. Hector of Troy kills Patrocles, beloved friend of Achilles. In turn, Achilles kills Hector. Paris then kills Achilles. At long last the Greeks send in their deadly wooden horse and Troy is decimated. It exists no more.

Helen is forced to return to Sparta with Menelaus who has vowed he will kill her. While Odysseys begins his odyssey and Agamemnon returns to Mycenae to be killed by his wife for the murder of their child, a storm drives Menelaus and Helen to Egypt where they find a companionable peace over their seven years there. At long last they return to Sparta to live out their days in peace before they recede, but never forgotten, into history.

The story of Paris and Helen has been told over and over through the years. Generally the tale involves Helen running off with her true love Paris. The couple are hunted down, the Trojan War ensues and finally the Greeks send in their famed Trojan Horse. It is a wonderful love story, filled with drama, bravery, adventure and one of the world’s greatest romances. Margaret George retells the story in a breathtakingly richly told tale. Told through Helen’s eyes, the story begins at her beginning—as a child. We feel through Helen’s words what it was like to grow up never seeing her face because to look upon it would bring the prophecy of her future into motion. Ms George brings Helen’s family to life as Helen tells of her adventures with them.

While movies may entertain and other books on Helen of Troy give a glimpse into the woman, Ms. George takes readers to a deeper level. Combining myth, history and talent to weave a story that will live the reader’s mind long after the final page is read, Ms. George shows another side of the tale. Ms. George’s Paris and Achilles are teenagers—as they would have been in the era of Helen. They are mature for their time, yet they are still teenage boys with all the emotion and needs of their age.

The realities of war: death, destruction, families torn apart, warriors far from home are all woven through the threads of Helen’s tale. The mysteries of who is committing black mail, who is cooking the books and the machinations of mergers flesh out a story that doesn’t end in the reader’s mind just because the last page has been read.

Most stories about Helen and Paris end with the wooden horse being brought into Troy. Ms. George invites her readers to accompany Helen and Menelaus back to Sparta and visit with them as they grow old and mend their family. The ending is heart wrenchingly beautiful. It is the one this reviewer wished for and did not believe would happen when Menelaus forces Helen back to Sparta. I sat for several minutes, a smile on my face, with a tear in my eye as I read those last lines.

HELEN OF TROY is the first of Ms. George’s books this reviewer has read. I intend to read them all.