Month: September 2015
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Book review: The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey
The Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. I’ve been a fan of the author’s earlier works (her Valdemar series–especially the early books–was excellent). I’m a bit ambivalent about this one. The author does a vivid and convincing job…
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Book review: The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters
The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters My rating: 4 of 5 stars Below is why I love this series so much: The last lines of the book (no spoilers): “And now, I suppose,” he said, seeing his friend’s face still thoughtful and undismayed, “you will tell me roundly that God’s reach is longer than man’s.”…
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Book review: How to be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport
How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out by Cal Newport My rating: 4 of 5 stars As the parent of two teenagers, this was a really interesting book. The premise is that to get in the college of your choice, a student should focus on…
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Book review: The Adventures of the Bloody Tower by Donald MacLachlan
The Adventure of the Bloody Tower: Dr. John H. Watson’s First Case by Donald MacLachlan My rating: 4 of 5 stars The question of who murdered the Princes in the Tower (Edward V and his younger brother, Richard) has puzzled historians for centuries. Richard III, their uncle, has long been the leading suspect for those…
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Book review: The Scribe’s Daughter by Stephanie Churchill
The Scribe’s Daughter by Stephanie Churchill My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’m a fan of the fantasy genre and picky about my books. This is a very well written book with several interesting plot twists and surprises. The characters are well drawn, and the heroine is especially entertaining with her sarcastic sense of humor…