The Meandering Reader

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

With This Ring by Amanda Quick

Beatrice Poole's uncle, who was supposed to provide a dowry for her cousin but he died in a brothel right after supposedly purchasing a pair of mythic rings. She appeals for help from Leo Drake, who knows a few things about myths since his family has always been known as the "Mad Earls of Monkton." Together they look through the slums and brothels of London whilst falling in love. Not my favorite Amanda Quick but one of the better ones.

Three stars

This book came out in 1998

Vanza #1

Followed by I Thee Wed

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station by Dorothy Gilman

Mrs. Pollifax is on the road again. This time she's joining a tour group in China. Someone on that tour is a CIA agent and she is to help that agent find a labor camp. In that labor camp is someone who is going to be able to help them with more information. All Mrs. Pollifax needs to do is find a barber who can help her get to the camp. Of course, that is not all she does.
She is going to be going by herself since new husband Cyrus is in Africa but she is ready to go. In addition to her studies into various religions, she also did a report on China in grade school so she knows quite a bit about the country.
We get a bit more into psychic abilities in this book. It makes sense based on Gilman's other series and the fact that the CIA really was looking into psychic abilities around this time. Maybe a little more jaundice view from more recent times (depending on what you believe).

Three stars

This book came out in 1983

Follows Mrs. Pollifax on Safari

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Monday, July 8, 2024

How the Multiverse Got Its Revenge by K. Eason

The fairies are messing with Rory's life again. It's been two years since the last book closed and Rory Thorne is happy being a space pirate with Thorsdottir, Zhang, and Jaed. She hasn't seen either Gritt nor Rupert nor Ivor. But that's who the fairy has appeared to. Specifically to Ivor. Specifically fairy #3. They are warning of impending war and telling them

that the Multiverse will fall if they don't take action soon.

Before Rupert and Gritt can catch up with Rory and team, they encounter a ship that is dead, something that is nearly impossible. And in that ship is something that could kill a world and keep it dead.

I would not read this book without having read the first in the series. But this is a fun series and worth reading both books. Eason has a way of handwaving and saying things like: and there was a big battle but we don't need to talk about that as though this is a historical story that took place long, long ago.

Four stars

This book came out October 27, 2020

Follows How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage lost her mother and brother in a tragic accident so now the only ones left are she, her younger sister, and their ailing father. When she loses her job, it could be catastrophic for their family. But she does find employment again quickly. Too bad it's with The Villain. But as she works with him more and more, she starts to wonder, really, what makes him so villainous?

There are also a cast of other characters working there and, while Evie establishes herself as orderly and imperious, she makes friends as well as enemies at work.

It took me awhile to get into this book but the characters grew on me, the plot was fun, and now I can't wait for the next book.

Four stars
This book came out August 29, 2023

Assistant to the Villain #1

Followed by Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Friday, July 5, 2024

The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo , Chi-Young Kim (Translator)

The NPR Best Books of 2022 made this book sound so intriguing. It took me a long time to get into the story and I quit it several times but, it was short, so I powered through.

The idea of the story is certainly an interesting one. We never learn the old woman's name but the story opens with her on the subway. Then we follow her through her days and her memories. As more and more of her story unfolds, her character develops. It is a rich story and her character is really well-developed which is finally what kept me reading.

An interesting premise and way of writing but ultimately, not my favorite.

Three stars
This book came out July 19, 2013

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris has three kids, a dead mother, and has just gone through a divorce. She is depressed but still talking to her mother. And her mother (at least in Ali's mind) is still responding. Ali is finally starting to come out of the haze (and wear "real clothes" which is so dumb to me, sweats are real clothes and who likes wearing hard pants) when her dog pees on a man's foot. And, oh, what a man. She meets Ethan who turns out to be not only handsome, but smart and caring as well. There are definitely some issues between them and the third act interruption in their HEA was expected. I would have given this three stars but the scene with her neighbor and the coming to terms of grief over her mother's death were beautifully written.