Book Review: Peony in Love

Peony in Love

Author: Lisa See

Published: Random House, 2007

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Rating: 5/5

This novel came into my possession while I was finishing up my graduate residency on Star Island. My room had no plug and I had only come with my kindle for reading material. Not a smart choice. I should have known better since it was my third time on the isle. Of course, I found myself in the small bookstore in the Oceanic hotel looking for a book or two to buy. Having enjoyed Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I decided to purchase another novel by her. I was not disappointed.

Peony lives a sheltered life in her family's elaborate house in seventeenth-century China. She will do everything her parents tell her to do, as is the tradition, including marrying a stranger. One night she sees a man and is overcome with a strong emotion: love. Unable to bear the the thought of marrying anyone but the man she meets in secret she plunges herself into despair. In both the world of the living and the dead, Peony's journey of love will bring desire, sorrow, pain and happiness. The words she wrote while she still breathed will become the last tangible part of her in the living world. 

See's ability to recreate China through her prose and setting is one of her greatest attributes as a writer. Readers will find themselves temporarily in China as they read this novel. They will learn about many cultural elements and beliefs as they find themselves crossing over from the world of the living to the dead with Peony. I would recommend this novel to anybody with an interest in Chinese culture who enjoys historical fantasy.

(#13 of the 100 Book Challenge)

Book Review: Something Like Normal

Something Like Normal

Author: Trish Doller

Published: Bloomsbury, 2012

Genre: Young Adult ( PTSD)

Rating: 4.5/5

I received this book for free at my final residency for my MFA degree in a workshop presented by Katherine Nagler of Bloomsbury. The workshop was about the young adult market in publishing which I found interesting and informing. However, I was more excited at the end when she said students could take the advanced readers copies. Naturally, I ran up and grabbed one, not caring which title it was. I felt like I was a child again in elementary school. My school had a program where students each got a free book to promote the love of learning and literacy in young readers. I lived for those days. 

Travis returns home from Afghanistan. Not only is his best friend dead, but his home life is in shambles. He is haunted by the death of his friend and comrade. There is no peace for him except for when he is with Harper. Harper is a girl whom he wounded as a young teenager but as their relationship deepens Travis begins to look beyond his own hurt. Perhaps, in his shattered life, there is still a chance for a new kind of "normal". 

What I loved best about Doller's writing was the voice she created for Travis. Written in the first POV readers will be in Travis' head from the minute they read the first sentence to the last. I actually could not put this book down and finished it the same day I received it. For those looking for an emotionl, and raw voice of a young narrator this book is a must read. 

(#12 of the 100 Book Challenge)

Book Review: Hushed

Hushed
Author: Kelley York
Published: Entangled Publishing, November 2011
Genre: Romance, 244 pages
Rating: 4/5

I picked up this psychologically intense novel on the recommendation of my friend Kimberly. I don't normally read romantic thrillers but I thought I would give this one a try. This novel certainly did deserve a chance because I enjoyed it from first to last page!

Archer loves his best friend Vivian and he would do anything to make her happy. Anything to set her free even if it means murdering all those who have hurt her. Vivian is self-centered but she is also broken. Nobody knows how broken. Evan is a new student at their university and befriends Archer with his shy, awkward ways. Soon the delicate balance Archer has in his world is rocketed by an earthquake of emotions, thoughts, and choices as he comes to know tenderness for the first time in his life. How will this triangle collapse?

What I loved best about York's writing was her ability to portray what a great influence Evan and Archer had on each other throughout the novel. From their first interaction the reader can sense the subtle change that starts to take place in Archer. Each meeting between these two characters only intensifies the emotion of the novel like a growing fire. Soon she has a forest fire and the reader will not be able to put down this novel!

(#11 of the 100 Book Challenge)