Amy's Travels by Lilly Khripko - [Book Review]

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book Details:

Title: Amy's Travels

Author: Lilly Khripko

Genre: Children's Picture Book, Children's Fiction

Publisher: Quick Home Ltd (July 19, 2024)

Print Length: 40 pages

Recommended Age: 6 to 10 yrs

Source: A copy from the author for review

Blurb:

This tale is about a tweenage girl retelling her baby life. When she was young, her family made the decision to leave their native country. They looked long and hard to find another residence somewhere else.

The little family had to suffer without food and a place to stay. Eventually, they found a good shelter to stay at. Just when things starting to look up, the father got offered a job from a different continent, so he had to move away. The girl formed close bonds with a kangaroo, a friend, and even a tuba!

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

This story is about a little girl 4.5 years old, her family, her move to Australia, and making new friends, etc., This is kind of a biography from the perspective of a child.

You get the drift when I say from the perspective of the child. Children at that age say everything they feel without a filter. That's what it feels like reading the book. 

Even though Amy is a little child of 4.5 years of age, she behaves maturely in some places like not crying hard which might make her parents feel bad when they are already sad, and trying to figure out the solution to their problems.

 She behaves like a child in some places like crying immediately after her dad gets into flight, feeling comfortable hugging her mom, and thinking everything will become normal with her reassurance. 

What do I like about the book?

The writing style is spontaneous and sometimes shows her anger and frustration when things don't go as expected. It is written by a kid and definitely it gives you a peek into the kids' emotions. 

The writing feels genuine and honest. There is no sugarcoating of characters and no detailed unnecessary descriptions. This is suitable for kids aged 6 to 10 years.

What might have been better? 

For adults and teen kids, this might not look that appealing. If you want to read something about the perspective of a little child, this seems good though. But, if you are expecting a story with twists and fiction, this is not right for you.

The book cover is great and the title is ok. I thought the title might have been different because based on the title I was expecting Amy to travel to many places or her experience with different cultures/ people. But, the story is not mainly about travel. It is about the family, relationships, struggles, money problems, settling into a new place, etc.,

I thought it might have been categorized /edited well. It is divided into parts, but a few parts are too small and a few are big. This feels like a journal note. 

My Rating: 4/5

PS: I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Until next time,

The Measure by Nikki Erlick - [Book Review]

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book Details:

Title: The Measure

Author: Nikki Erlick

Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow

Print Length: 348  pages

Source: A copy from local library

Blurb:

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

Loved this book.

The concept or theme behind the story is a very interesting point. Everyone above 21 yrs old in the world receives a mysterious package with just a string inside. Later, they all realize that the length of the string is the time left for them on the Earth. That means, short stringers die earlier and the length of the string denotes longevity.

All hell breaks loose. A few Short stringers being disappointed want to end their life and others, whereas a few long stringers become selfish and rob opportunities from short stringers as the latter are going to die soon and a few show humanity and support each other.

 It seems like the author researched the scenario in different aspects of life and connected with readers well. It is interesting to read and think about how humanity reacts to such things. I remember how people reacted to covid. 

I felt, the strength of the book is characterization. The pace of the book seemed slow to me. It felt boring in the middle of the book. The pace of the last part of the book is good though and the ending is fine too. The narrative is good. The book cover is ok.

My Rating: 4/5

About the Author:

Nikki Erlick is a writer and editor whose work has appeared on the websites of New York magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Indagare Travel, BookTrib, and Verge Media. 

As a travel writer, she explored nearly a dozen countries on assignment—from rural villages in France to the arctic fjords of Norway. As a ghostwriter, she has lent her voice to CEOs, academics, and entrepreneurs. She graduated Harvard University summa cum laude and is a former editor of the Harvard Crimson. She earned a master’s degree in global thought from Columbia University. The Measure is her first novel.

Until next time,

Odd Devils by Zwahk Muchoney - [Book Spot Light]

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Here is an interesting book on Occult fiction! This book has a series of unusual short stories with moments of horror. 

Book Details:

Title: Odd Devils

Author: Zwahk Muchoney 

Genre: Occult fiction, horror, short stories

Publisher: Independently published (Dec 11, 2023)

Print length: 195 pages

Blurb:

Satan was once a mortal shepherd, but through a tragic series of events he became the icy hearted angel of the damned. Aleister Crowley creates an astral doll in the shape of a child and forces it to live on as a double of himself. A mortal woman falls in love with a demon. A new angel is born in Hell.

Excerpt:

Crowley turned to the creature, and said-


"Now that the festivities have ended, we have work to do." He put on a dark blue silken robe and a peculiar hat, pulled out what appeared to be blueprints, and opened them up on his desk. The creature took a peak, but hadn't the faintest idea what any of the symbols or drawings meant. Its master turned to it and said-


"I believe you are like some kind of astral automata, and that I was the one who created and arranged your clockwork, but I made you far too simple, in large part because I didn't realize what I was doing at the time." Crowley cut out another line of his magical white powder, and said-


"It's no good, going to the trouble of teaching you to read my books if you can't remember them, so I do believe I've figured out how to improve your mechanisms. By my own operations, I will transform you from a wind-up doll to something with a level of complexity akin to a motor car."

 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Author:

Zwahk Muchoney writes all manner of strange occult fiction. A long time resident of Western Washington State, this author is always looking to blend comedy and tragedy in order to create the attempted perfection of book swooning bliss.

To stay current with their upcoming releases on Amazon click the yellow "follow" button and Amazon will send an email every time they release a new book or Amazon has a special deal on their work. 

Until next time,

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - [Book Review]

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Book Details:

Title: The House Across the Lake

Author: Riley Sager

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Print length: 369 pages

Source: A library copy

Blurb:

The New York Times best-selling author of Final Girls and Survive the Night is back with his most unexpected thriller yet.

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of liquor, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple who live in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing—a tech innovator, Tom is rich; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.

One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other—and the longer Casey watches—it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage is not as perfect and placid as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey becomes consumed with finding out what happened to her. In the process, she uncovers eerie, darker truths that turn a tale of voyeurism and suspicion into a story of guilt, obsession and how looks can be very deceiving.

With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense, and gasp-worthy surprises, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake unveils more than one twist that will shock readers until the very last page.

Purchase link:

Amazon

Try Kindle Unlimited to access millions of books. 

My Review:

This book didn't seem great in the beginning. Actually it felt boring as the protagonist Casey who is alcoholic drinks to death every day and passes time observing the house of a model Katherine on the other side of the lake with binoculars just curious. She intervenes when she suspects that Katherine's husband Tom might be trying to kill her. 

So far, the story seemed predictable but it takes many strange and unexpected turns later. The second half of the book deserves all 5 stars. This is my first book of this author but I really liked his narrative and story telling skills.

The first half is slow and second half picks up the pace. A thriller with slow boring pace is a disappointment. The characters are great but mysterious. The book cover is attractive and apt. The title is perfect for the story.

My Rating: 4/5

About the Author:

Riley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, most recently THE HOUSE ACROSS THE LAKE and SURVIVE THE NIGHT. His first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and has been published in more than thirty countries. His latest novel, THE ONLY ONE LEFT, will be published in June.

A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is "Rear Window." Or maybe "Jaws." But probably, if he's being honest, "Mary Poppins."

Website: www.rileysagerbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rileysagerbooks
Twitter: @Riley_Sager.

Until next time,

Sasquatch, Baby! by Bethany Browning - [Book Review]

Book Details:

Title: Sasquatch, Baby! 

Author: Bethany Browning

Genre: Dark thriller, fiction, horror literature

Source: A free review copy from the author

Print length: 162 pages

Publisher: Independently published

Blurb:

After her posh Napa Valley friends cut her off for committing an unspeakable betrayal, Tabitha Eggs retreats to the redwood forests of Del Norte County, California to drink herself to death. But when she stumbles over two decomposing corpses near her new home—among a growing list of other frightening, unexplainable experiences—she believes that walking into a raging wildfire is preferable to whatever waits in the woods. Her plans are foiled when she’s kept alive by a curious Sasquatch (who adores salad dressing and is overjoyed by luxury body wash), and they create a bizarre and everlasting union.

My Review:

This is obviously a fiction but based on a mythical character Big Foot. The story starts with a woman who moves to a remote town from a city after losing her friends and interest in living. 

She encounters something in the forest which changes her life , and her future. The plot is thrilling, and unpredictable. I personally hated the protagonist but that's how real life is. People with their flaws.

I like that the author portrays the emotions from the characters well. The ending seems good and satisfying.

The character of protagonist is dark and feels extreme.

This story is different and well written. The narrative is interesting. The book cover is ok. The title is apt.

I would recommend it to the readers who like dark thrillers and want to read something unique. 

My Rating: 4/5

About the Author:

Bethany Browning is a writer who lives and works in a redwood forest. Her debut horror novella, Sasquatch, Baby!, is available in eBook and paperback. Plus, War of the Wills, a film she co-wrote with George Dondero, is watchable right here on Amazon Prime. For more information and to read her short stories and other published work, visit bethanybrowning.com.

Until next time,

Kaikeyi - A Novel by Vaishnavi Patel - Book Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book Details:

Title: Kaikeyi: A Novel

Author: Vaishnavi Patel

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mythological Fiction

Publisher: Redhook

Print length: 496 pages

Blurb:

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”

So begins Kaikeyi’s story. The only daughter of the kingdom of Kekaya, she is raised on tales about the might and benevolence of the gods: how they churned the vast ocean to obtain the nectar of immortality, how they vanquish evil and ensure the land of Bharat prospers, and how they offer powerful boons to the worthy. Yet she watches as her father unceremoniously banishes her mother, and listens as her own worth is reduced to the marriage alliance she can secure. And when she calls upon the gods for help, they never seem to hear.

Desperate for independence, she turns to the texts she once read with her mother and discovers a magic that is hers alone. With it, Kaikeyi transforms herself from an overlooked princess into a warrior, diplomat, and most favored queen.

But as the evil from her childhood stories threatens the cosmic order, the path she has forged clashes with the destiny the gods have chosen for her family. And Kaikeyi must decide if resistance is worth the destruction it will wreak—and what legacy she intends to leave behind.

The unforgettable tale of a woman determined to leave her mark in a world gods and men dictate the shape of things to come. "Patel's mesmerizing debut shines a brilliant light on the vilified queen from the Ramayana"
(Publishers Weekly, starred review).

My Review:

Kaikeyi is a novel about the character 'Kaikeyi' in Ramayana. Kaikeyi is the third wife of King Dhasaradh, ruler of the Kosala kingdom and the mother of Bharatha. This story is not the representation of Valmiki Ramayana which is popular and widely known by most in India. 

This novel is a fiction/ fantasy and an imaginative interpretation of the author. The story is based on her research of the other versions of the Ramayana.

Being an Indian and having deep respect and belief in the epic Ramayana, it becomes tough for me to read this book. It's disappointing to read the character of Rama in a negative shade. 

Authors can take liberty with their imagination and show us more context and details regarding a certain action of the character but they shouldn't tweak the epics favoring a negative character for a good story. 

This book does exactly the same. It shows Ravana as a good person with good intentions which I cannot imagine. This seems like retelling Ramayana in a completely different way which hurts the readers' feelings. This also talks about Rama as a mortal human with follies. Mind you, I am not talking about minor follies but jealousy, anger, abuse, and so on.

I wanted to stop reading this book many times in the middle but I only completed it as it's not right to opine on the book without reading it fully.

I gave a rating of 3 due to the above tweaking of the Epic in a way hurting readers' sentiments but when it comes to the writing, I will rate it 4/5. It is a really good book with a great narrative. It is interesting to read Ramayana from a woman character's perspective. The book cover is really amazing. The design is eye-catching. Being a debut novel from the author, she proved she is one of the good writers and has a long way to go.

On a final note, if you know Ramayana already, you might not like this book and even you might feel bad completing reading it. If you don't know Ramayana, you might like it as a good mythological fiction.

Purchase Link:

My Rating :

3/5

About the Author:

Vaishnavi Patel is a law student focusing on constitutional law and civil rights. She likes to write at the intersection of Indian myth, feminism, and anti-colonialism. Vaishnavi grew up in and around Chicago and, in her spare time, enjoys activities that are almost stereotypically Midwestern: knitting, ice-skating, drinking hot chocolate, and making hotdish. Kaikeyi is her debut novel.

Until next time,

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - [Book Review]

Book Details:

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: War Fiction

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Print length: 372 pages

Source: Copy from the local library

Blurb :

Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, the #1 New York Times bestseller A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

“Just as good, if not better, than Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling first book, The Kite Runner.”—Newsweek

Khaled Hosseini returns with a beautiful, riveting, and haunting novel that confirms his place as one of the most important literary writers today.

Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss, and by fate. As they endure the ever-escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end, it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review :

I got this book from our local library and this is the first book by Khaled Hosseini that I read after listening to many great reviews.

This is a heart-touching story of 2 women in Afghanistan during the period of war with Russia and when the country is occupied by the Taliban later. Mariam who is smart and intelligent raised by her mom had to go through so many difficulties in her life for one bad decision of trusting her father Jalil. 

We feel the problems of Mariam through the story and relate to her helplessness after she is forcibly married to Rasheed at a young age. 

Laila who is the neighbor of Mariam in Kabul is a girl raised by her parents who are educated. Her life turns upside down when their parents die due to the bombing and her friend Tariq leaving with his family to Pakistan due to war. She takes an important decision in her life knowing that it would hurt her forever.

Rasheed's character makes us hate him. He uses the rules of patriarchy the best by manipulating both Mariam and Laila.

The rules set by the Taliban on Afghanistan women seem cruel. It is so sad to read that women didn't have freedom even to walk outside their house without a male companion and that even the police never cared about domestic violence.

It is inspiring to see how women survived without their basic rights in those times. Mariam has to take the difficult decision but she is brave enough to sacrifice her life for the good of Laila who is like her daughter. 

Laila is courageous enough to rebel against Rasheed and even get beatings just to meet her daughter. Mariam and Laila are some of the best women characters I ever read.

The story ends very well, but it makes us shiver thinking of the atrocities against women in those times. 

Usually, war stories are depressing to read. But, this story though heart-wrenching and emotional, it makes us feel positive and hopeful.

What's great?

The way story is written makes it relatable to the readers. The characterization is thorough and deep. The message at the end is great and it is definitely the best read.

My Rating:

5/5

I recommend this book to readers who love historical fiction, and real war stories.

About the Author:

Khaled Hosseini is one of the most widely read and beloved novelists in the world, with over thirty eight million copies of his books sold in more than seventy countries. The Kite Runner was a major film and was a Book of the Decade, chosen by The Times, Daily Telegraph and Guardian. A Thousand Splendid Suns was the Richard & Judy Best Read of the Year in 2008. Hosseini is also a Goodwill Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Refugee Agency and the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. He was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and lives in northern California.

Until next time,

The Winter Song by Saurav Dutt - [Book Review]

Book Details:

Title: The Winter Song

Author: Saurav Dutt

Print Length: 171 pages

Genre: Memoir, Contemporary Literature

Source: A free review copy through Rachel's Random Resources

Blurb:

From the acclaimed Author of 'The Butterfly Room' comes a powerful afterlife drama conveying how great gifts can be hidden in death and how they can bear fruit in our lives if we have the faith to let them unfold.

Somewhere between the mountains and the mist in Simla, India a widower must reconcile himself to the loss and grief that haunts him after the recent death of his wife.

Unhinged by grief, anger, and guilt, John Perera has set off on a journey, a journey to honor the love of his life and to fulfil the promise he made to her to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of their son. It is a journey of extraordinary self-discovery that will take him to the extremities of his soul and question all he believes about life, death, and faith.

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winter-Song-Saurav-Dutt-ebook/dp/B08NFD2ZNS

US - https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Song-Saurav-Dutt-ebook/dp/B08NFD2ZNS

My Review:

The Winter Song is about how death impacts loved ones. It is a poignant story of John who embarks on a journey to fulfill a promise given to her dead wife Asima. On this journey, he realizes the mistakes he made in his life. He also thinks of the opportunities he missed to change some circumstances.

This is the story of grief and guilt. The message is clear - we love our family a lot but we don't show it enough to the family members when they are alive. Of course, the guilt remains when they are no more to express our love and care.

What's great?

The writing is beautiful. A great literary work. But, it is emotionally wrenching and it is a sad read around the death. So, if you are mourning for someone, you will immediately connect to it. If not, it will definitely give you an emotional ride.

The book cover is beautiful and well done. The title is apt too.

The emotions are well expressed - grief, guilt, and love.

What might have been better?

The sequence of events seems abrupt. It would have been good if they had a smooth and clear transition when the narrative goes between current and past. This part is a bit confusing at some times.

It is a slow read and it will take time to get into us (if that's a concern to you as a reader).

My Rating: 3.5/5

PS: I am thankful to Rachel's Random Resources for a free review copy and this is my honest opinion on the book.

About the Author:

Saurav Dutt is an Author, Political Columnist and Human Rights Campaigner. A journalist in three continents, his acclaimed debut novel 'The Butterfly Room' explored issues of domestic violence and homophobia within South Asian communities and has been showcased alongside leading political figures and human rights campaigners. His work for human rights and charity campaign work has taken Dutt to speaking engagements at the WEF, IKWRO, IWN, Houses of Parliament and TEDx.

After exploring the issue of psychological abuse and domestic violence in 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' Dutt was commissioned by a major Hollywood production house to pen the official novelization of the major motion picture 'Tiger' (starring Golden Globe winning and Academy Award nominated actor Mickey Rourke) and he commemorated the centenary of the infamous Amritsar Massacre in India with 'Garden of Bullets: Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh' which was featured in TIME magazine. TIGER is the biographical account of Parminder Singh Nagra, a trailblazing Sikh boxer who fought successfully for the right to compete in the ring with his beard, an essential part of his faith.

A syndicated political columnist, Dutt writes for the International Business Times, The Times of Israel, Human Events, and American Herald Tribune. He has featured on CNN, GQ, Huffington Post, Business Insider, BBC television and radio, RT (Russia Today), Press TV, Sky News, and more. He has been shortlisted several times for the Asian Achievers Awards and Asian Media Awards. He resides in the United Kingdom, Los Angeles, and India.

Social Media Links – @sd_saurav on Twitter

Until next time,

Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag - [Book Review]

 Book Details:

Title: Ghachar Ghochar 

Author: Vivek Shanbhag

Translator: Srinath Perur

Publisher: HarperPerennial

Genre: Fiction, Family drama

Print length: 130 pages

Blurb:

A young man's close-knit family is nearly destitute when his uncle finds a successful spice company, changing their fortunes overnight. As they move from a cramped, ant-infested shack to a larger house on the other side of Bangalore, and try to adjust to a new way of life, the family dynamic begins to shift. 

Allegiances realign; marriages are arranged and begin to falter, and conflict brews ominously in the background. Things become “ghachar ghochar”—a nonsense phrase uttered by one meaning something tangled beyond repair, a knot that can't be untied.

Elegantly written and punctuated by moments of unexpected warmth and humor, Ghachar Ghochar is a quietly enthralling, deeply unsettling novel about the shifting meanings—and consequences—of financial gain in contemporary India.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

It is the shortest novel that I read recently. This can be considered as a family drama with mystery.

The story is a reflection of how people change with a sudden source of income. The author imbibes the culture, local traditions, and the everyday problems of a lower-middle-class family in the story. 

This author has a unique writing style. He seems to tell the story in a simple way while leaving clues making us guess how those clues are relevant. The climax is a bit confusing until you read the first chapter again after the ending. 

The author doesn't end the story in a very clear way and leaves the reader to join all the clues as puzzle pieces to understand the ending. 

At the end of the story, we wonder what happened to Anitha and why the whole family behaves as if nothing happened. Every small scene in the story has some significance. For example- when the narrator watches a couple fighting in the cafe, he breaks the glass which he is holding tight. Maybe, he is thinking, he is not good enough for Anitha or it's an indication that Anitha might have decided to leave him. 

While the narrative is interesting, I hated most of the characters except Anitha and the narrator's dad. I couldn't understand the situation of the narrator who doesn't want to earn on his own and will do anything to support the earners of the family, even it means injustice to someone else. 

My Rating: 4/5

About the Author:

Vivek Shanbhag writes in Kannada. He has published five short story collections, three novels, and two plays, and has edited two anthologies, one of them in English. For 7 years from 2005 to 2012, he published and edited the literary journal Desha Kaala. Vivek’s books are translated into many other Indian languages. His acclaimed novel Ghachar Ghochar was published in India in English translation in 2015.

Vivek's writing has appeared in Granta, Seminar, Indian Literature, and Out of Print.

Until next time,

Dream Cottage by Harriet J Kent - [Book Review]

 

Summary:

Newly married Greta Berkley's dream is to return to live on her beloved Isle of Wight, her birthplace.

During a weekend visit to her parents' house on the Island, Greta and her husband Max, discover a remote, rundown cottage. Having tracked down its owner, Rev. Oliphant, who agrees to show them around, Greta falls in love with the place. She persuades Max it's their dream home. The Reverend agrees a price and the sale is arranged.

Greenacres is in need of complete refurbishment. During the renovations, Greta accidentally falls through a hole in the kitchen floor, which she assumes to be an old well. It harbors a passageway and an underground room where Greta finds an old wooden box. She also discovers that Greenacres has an unwelcome occupant of the spiritual world. With the help of struggling celebrity medium, Nonie Spangler, Greta tries desperately to protect her home and combat the supernatural happenings.

Set against the Isle of Wight's rolling, breath-taking countryside, Dream Cottage charts the dissolution of a dream into a nightmare, as Greta Berkley battles with the unknown, with startling consequences. 

Information about the Book

Title: Dream Cottage

Author: Harriet J Kent

Release Date: 4th March 2015

Genre: Thriller

Page Count: 240

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25027041-dream-cottage 

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Cottage-Harriet-J-Kent-ebook/dp/B00SQLLGNU 

My Review

Dream Cottage is a different type of horror. There is some comedy and suspense combined with horror. 

The storyline is quite unique. The story starts with the wedding of Max and Greta. Greta sure makes her wedding fun by making the guests and groom search for the Spider due to her phobia and at last faints. After marriage, Greta is impressed with the cottage that she finds during dinner with the family and asks Max if they can buy that cottage and live in the countryside of the beautiful island.

When they buy their dream cottage from Reverend Oli and start renovations, they experience paranormal activity inside the house and some mysterious incidents. What happens next is the remaining story.

I love Greta and Max, and their chemistry. Jeanne is an interesting character. The book cover is perfect. The narrative is fun and easy to follow. The climax is fantastic. Enjoyed reading this book!

My Rating: 5/5

I recommend this as an interesting read during this holiday season. A mix of mystery, horror, and fun.

PS: I have received this book for free from @Authoright in exchange for a review and this is my honest opinion of the book.

12 Days of Clink Street

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Tuesday 1st December

Tea Party Princess

Jazzy Book Reviews

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Book, Blog and Candle

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Pen and Paper

Echoes in an Empty Room

Saturday 5th December

Bookworm and Theatre Mouse

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Sunday 6th December

Fantastic Feathers

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Marie’s Book Boutique

Rambling Mads

Tuesday 8th December

Stuck in the Book

Pen and Paper

Echoes in an Empty Room

Wednesday 9th December

Novel Kicks

Jazzy Book Reviews

Julz Reads

Thursday 10th December

Stuck in the Book

Donna’s Book Blog

Julz Reads

Friday 11th December

Echoes in an Empty Room

Julz Reads

Saturday 12th December

Novel Kicks

My Bookworm Life

Marie’s Book Boutique

Kraftireader

Until next time,