Category: Reviews

Book Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

On By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews, Science Fiction5 Comments

After not enjoying The Invisible Man, it may seem a little odd that I went on to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I think I’m determined to find some piece of classic sci-fi/horror that I can like!  And it’s the right time of year, with R.I.P. going on.  Jekyll and Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson, and I always have trouble keeping that in mind—it feels like such a completely different book than Treasure Island. It feels much more like it ought to be part of the canon of H. G. Wells. Unfortunately, that includes some of Wells’ issues!

Jekyll and Hyde is fascinating to read from a historical perspective–because I think it’s a book that’s been ruined by its own success. Do I even have to say “spoiler alert” before mentioning that Jekyll and Hyde are one person? Everyone knows that—and unfortunately that’s the one big mystery of the book! Continue reading “Book Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” →

Classic Review: Bloody Jack

On By cherylmahoneyIn Historical Fiction, Reviews, Young Adult2 Comments

I’ve been reading the Bloody Jack series since high school, and recently completed a re”read” of the series by audiobook (highly recommended!)  The final (twelfth!) book in the series will be out next week.  I can’t wait to find out what finally happens to Jacky Faber–and today I’m re-sharing my review of the series!

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The Bloody Jack series follows the adventures of Jacky Faber…sailor, soldier, pirate, fine lady, spy…oh, and Lily of the West.  Among other things.  Set around 1800, it all starts in Bloody Jack, when orphan Mary Faber decides that the way out of the gutter is to sign onto a Royal Navy ship as a Ship’s Boy.  Obviously that second word presents complications, so Mary becomes Jacky and disguises herself as a boy.

Jacky is an incredibly fun character.  She’s endlessly creative with her schemes and ideas, wildly emotive, rarely depressed no matter what life throws at her, fiercely loyal to her friends and endlessly ambitious to better her life and the lives of the people she cares about.  She has dreams of creating a worldwide shipping industry, and despite usually being only one step ahead of a vast number of people chasing her, she also manages to keep chasing those dreams.  Honestly, she’s like a cork–the world keeps trying to push her down, and she just keeps bobbing merrily up again. Continue reading “Classic Review: Bloody Jack” →

Book Review: Sherlock Holmes – The Sign of Four

On By cherylmahoneyIn Historical Fiction, Reviews3 Comments

I always like to get some Sherlock Holmes in during the R. I. P. Challenge–by which I mean Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, though I’ve enjoyed some adaptations too.  This year I read The Sign of Four, which I’ve been meaning to read ever since I went on the Sherlock Holmes walking tour in London (in 2012, so it’s been a while).  The guide talked about the plot, and I realized I didn’t remember a story about a one-legged man and a chest of jewels.  I bought a Complete Holmes years ago, and have now completely lost track of which parts of it I’ve read…

Now that I’ve read The Sign of Four, I’m pretty sure I hadn’t read it before.  I might have forgotten the one-legged man, but I would have remembered the novel that introduced Watson’s wife!  She comes to 221B Baker Street because of a mysterious letter relating to her father’s disappearance.  The disappearance is quickly solved, but in the process, Holmes and Watson are set on the trail of a murder, a vanished treasure, and a one-legged man. Continue reading “Book Review: Sherlock Holmes – The Sign of Four” →

Book Review: The Opal Crown

On By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews, Young Adult12 Comments

theopalcrown BannerLast year I was approached with a review copy of Princess in the Opal Mask by Jenny Lundquist–and this year I made good and sure I got hold of a copy of the sequel, The Opal Crown!  As I said about the first one: a fairy tale retelling with gorgeous masks and strong heroines?  Could a book be designed any more brilliantly to capture my interest?  🙂  This second book stems directly from the events of the first, so there will be spoilers for the first one…

PrintI offer the official book description:

In the year since she was betrothed to the crown prince of Kyrenica, no one has suspected that the Masked Princess has been a decoy. That Elara, the secret twin sister, has been pretending to be Princess Wilha all along. The royal family has kept Elara’s identity hidden from the world, and for the girls, swapping lives has not been easy. Galandra is quickly declining, and the sisters continue to be a pawn in the Guardian’s ever-changing endgames.

But the stakes rise when Elara and Wilha’s younger brother, Andrei, takes the Galandrian throne after their father’s death, and he reveals the girls’ deception to Kyrenica’s royal family. Viewed as traitors, Elara and Wilha realize they are now fighting for their lives—and for their country. However, with only one crown and one throne to overthrow, Elara and Wilha must decide who will become queen. Or rather, the next savior for their people.

In the first book we met Wilha, who grew up in the Opal Palace, forced without any explanation to always wear a mask; and Elara, who grew up in a Cinderella-like life that has made her wary of trusting others.  The first book ended with both girls embarking on new lives they had each chosen.  As the second book opens, it quickly becomes apparent that those new lives are unraveling around them. Continue reading “Book Review: The Opal Crown” →

Classic Review: Song of the Lioness Quartet

On By cherylmahoneyIn Fantasy, Juvenile, Reviews, Young Adult2 Comments

I feel like I talk about Tamora Pierce and her wonderful Song of the Lioness Quartet fairly often…but it was a long time ago that I actually reviewed the books!  Since I’m a little occupied this week with releasing my new novel (which happens to be about a strong heroine in a magical world), it seems like an appropriate time to dust off this review about one my favorite strong fantasy heroines!

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I’m going to try–I really am–not to wax too enthusiastic today.  But it’s hard when I’m talking about a favorite series–when it would actually not be inaccurate to use phrases like “changed my life” and “favorite character ever.”

Am I talking about some great inspirational work?  Well…not a traditional one.  I’m talking about the Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce.

The first book is Alanna: The First Adventure.  Alanna is a girl who wants to become a knight, except that girls aren’t allowed to become knights.  So she disguises herself as a boy and sets out to become one anyway.  Alanna is an incredible character.  When I was younger, I basically wanted to be her when I grew up.  She’s stubborn, determined, and incredibly brave, but also human–she makes mistakes, she has struggles, and she’s not always sure of herself.  She was my favorite character when I was a kid, out of any book I’d read. Continue reading “Classic Review: Song of the Lioness Quartet” →