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laurieb755's reviews
751 reviews
Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef
4.0
Kiyash Monsef (https://www.kiyash.com/) has written a thoroughly engrossing fantasy that draws from his Iranian background, his childhood interests and the place where he both grew up and made his home as an adult with a family. His name sounded familiar to me and then I saw his dedication: To Jane McGonigal. Bingo, it all clicked! Years and years ago (2012) I discovered Jane McGonigal thanks to her TED Talk about the game she created to help deal with her concussion. One web search led to another and connections were made.
Searching for connections is not unlike Marjan’s journey to find out what, exactly, happened to her father; what, exactly, is it that he really and truly did as a veterinarian; what, exactly, is the connection between the stories he used to tell her (weren’t they just tales?) and the mysterious life he led; and what, exactly, is the ‘thing’ that is causing her to feel that she is missing something within her. That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with as she tries to cope with the sudden death of her father after losing her mother a number of years earlier.
Marjan will have to trust herself, think on her feet, and open her eyes to the wonder of the magical creatures that need her help. It turns out that taking over her father’s veterinary practice isn’t quite as straight forward and simple as one might expect. Throughout her journey of discovery (which includes learning about herself), Marjan will find her friendships with Grace and Carrie tested, meet a self-described white witch, Malloryn, who becomes a friend, and have an adventure with Sebastian.
Once was, once wasn’t. So begins each tale shared by Marjan’s Dad. I could have read a book just of these legends, they were intriguing! Kiyash Monsef brings these worlds to life (the story and the legends within) with his beautiful writing, using just the right amount of words to paint pictures of a place that, if you are willing to suspend belief in the known, brings to life a fantastic world of the unknown. I’ve already placed his next book on reserve at my local Library.
Searching for connections is not unlike Marjan’s journey to find out what, exactly, happened to her father; what, exactly, is it that he really and truly did as a veterinarian; what, exactly, is the connection between the stories he used to tell her (weren’t they just tales?) and the mysterious life he led; and what, exactly, is the ‘thing’ that is causing her to feel that she is missing something within her. That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with as she tries to cope with the sudden death of her father after losing her mother a number of years earlier.
Marjan will have to trust herself, think on her feet, and open her eyes to the wonder of the magical creatures that need her help. It turns out that taking over her father’s veterinary practice isn’t quite as straight forward and simple as one might expect. Throughout her journey of discovery (which includes learning about herself), Marjan will find her friendships with Grace and Carrie tested, meet a self-described white witch, Malloryn, who becomes a friend, and have an adventure with Sebastian.
Once was, once wasn’t. So begins each tale shared by Marjan’s Dad. I could have read a book just of these legends, they were intriguing! Kiyash Monsef brings these worlds to life (the story and the legends within) with his beautiful writing, using just the right amount of words to paint pictures of a place that, if you are willing to suspend belief in the known, brings to life a fantastic world of the unknown. I’ve already placed his next book on reserve at my local Library.
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was delighted that it wasn’t till almost the very end that the solution presented itself to me, indeed, it was at the same time that Harbinder, a Detective Sergeant, found the evidence that confirmed her suspicion of the culprit.
This was mostly Clare’s story, she being an attractive divorced English teacher with a teenage daughter, Georgia, who lives with her during the week and usually - but not always - spends weekends with her Dad (who remarried and has two young children.) In addition to teaching English (and the assorted extra responsibilities that come with the territory) Clare is working on a book about R.M. Holland. Holland not only wrote one of Clare’s favorite stories, The Stranger, but also happened to live in the building that forms one part of the school where Clare teaches. Holland is long-since dead but his attic office was kept intact and often receives tours. There were rumors that Holland’s wife, Alice, died by jumping from the upstairs to the floor below, as well as questions about whether or not Holland had a daughter. Apparently, given the right opportunity, one just might run into Alice’s ghost haunting the upstairs hall…
The story unfolds through four narrators – Clare, Harbinder, Georgia and The Stranger. As a reader we are treated to two stories, the “real” one and the short story by R.M. Holland (who, as far as research shows, is completely fictitious, as is his/this short story). The Stranger is by far and away the more gothic, spine tingling of the two tales. However, should you read this book, the question may arise in your mind as to whether or not you are reading one or two gothic tales…
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Elly Griffiths has written a wonderfully suspenseful murder mystery dressed as a modern day gothic tale. After arriving home from the Library with the book in hand I noticed that one of my favorite authors, Louise Penny, has a blurb on the back cover. She succinctly and accurately sums up my sense of the book so here are her words instead of mine (because why reinvent the wheel. ;-))
My heart is still pounding after finishing The Stranger Diaries…Fiercely intelligent, warm, human, and, at times, funny…It is goose-bump spooky, smart, and haunting in every sense. I loved this book! And you will too. Louise Penny
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was delighted that it wasn’t till almost the very end that the solution presented itself to me, indeed, it was at the same time that Harbinder, a Detective Sergeant, found the evidence that confirmed her suspicion of the culprit.
This was mostly Clare’s story, she being an attractive divorced English teacher with a teenage daughter, Georgia, who lives with her during the week and usually - but not always - spends weekends with her Dad (who remarried and has two young children.) In addition to teaching English (and the assorted extra responsibilities that come with the territory) Clare is working on a book about R.M. Holland. Holland not only wrote one of Clare’s favorite stories, The Stranger, but also happened to live in the building that forms one part of the school where Clare teaches. Holland is long-since dead but his attic office was kept intact and often receives tours. There were rumors that Holland’s wife, Alice, died by jumping from the upstairs to the floor below, as well as questions about whether or not Holland had a daughter. Apparently, given the right opportunity, one just might run into Alice’s ghost haunting the upstairs hall…
The story unfolds through four narrators – Clare, Harbinder, Georgia and The Stranger. As a reader we are treated to two stories, the “real” one and the short story by R.M. Holland (who, as far as research shows, is completely fictitious, as is his/this short story). The Stranger is by far and away the more gothic, spine tingling of the two tales. However, should you read this book, the question may arise in your mind as to whether or not you are reading one or two gothic tales…
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore and Blood