Review: The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France

The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An examination of the last trial by combat "duel" in France, it details the story of Jacques Le Gris and Jean de Carrouges and their duel to the death in order to determine who was lying and who was being truthful when Jean and his wife, Marguerite, accused Jacques of rape. The book goes through a bit of background of what was going on in France at the time, the history duels, the French judicial system, and Jean and Jacques themselves. The reader learns about the two men, their lives, and their relationship with each other. In setting up all of this information, it would be easy to get lost and bogged down in dry information, but the author relates just the perfect amount of detail while still keeping the story interesting and moving along at an engaging pace. As much as he is able, hundreds of years later, he uncovers some of the personality of each of the three main individuals in this case, and the reader feels that he or she really understands a bit of Jean, Marguerite, and Jacques. And as the event in question occurs, then the trial, and then the actual combat comes to pass, the reader is caught up in a fascinating tale. What exactly happened, and why did it happen? The reader desperately wants to know.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys medieval history, or even true crime. It is an event worth knowing more about, and the author does a wonderful job relating the events.

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Review: Nanny Dearest

Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book.
I tried with this book, but I just did not like it. It was very slow, the characters were all unlikable, and by the end I just got to the point where I didn't care what happened to any of them. There were some things that were described in completely unnecessary, almost gory, detail, while other things that should have been important to the plot were left just hanging. I guess the reader is supposed to draw his or her own conclusions, but that only works if the reader cares enough about the characters and the story to spend time thinking about them once he or she is finished reading. And sadly, I did not. If a book is going to be "slow-moving," it needs to create the kind of atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged despite the lack of action. This book did not have that.
Annelise was fascinating, but completely unsympathetic. I tried to root for Suzy, but by the end I was just fed up with her. Every time I put the book down, I had no real feeling of urgency to return to the book. And I did not like the ending at all. I would not recommend this book.

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Review: Dark Things I Adore

Dark Things I Adore by Katie Lattari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book through Early Reads.
I am rounding up my review on this book just a bit, but I did really enjoy it. This story of Audra, an Art Student who seems to be playing some sort of cat-and-mouse game with her advising professor, was atmospheric, griping, and suspenseful. Trying to decipher just exactly what Audra had planned for Max, her professor, was compelling, as was the earlier timeline following a group of artists at a camp in rural Maine. While I attempted to deduce who was who in the earlier timeline and how it related to Audra and Max I was completely drawn into the setting of the woodlands of Maine and its scenery, sights, smells, and textures. The author did a great job of creating a slow-burning yet intense feeling of impending doom, and it was obvious action in both the timelines would move to a powerful climax.
Audra, while perhaps not exactly a sympathetic character to every reader, was relatable; the reader could understand her motivations. Max was well-drawn as well, and Juniper--from the earlier timeline--served as a sort of witness to events that the reader could identify with.
My only issue with the book, and why I would give it 3.5 stars, is the Mantis part of the storyline. He ended up being very important to the story but I felt he was not quite fleshed-out enough--especially at the very end. I personally needed a little bit more there. 
Despite that, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great autumn read, or anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers, or slow-burning mysteries with twisty plots and perhaps unreliable points-of-view.

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Review: The Chalk Man

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was in interesting book. It was a mystery, and there were some suspenseful aspects, but it was more slow-moving than I expected. I think the blurb led me to believe this book would be more of a thriller, with perhaps creepy elements involving the chalk drawings. That's not what this book was, however. But that did not take away my enjoyment of the story, and Eddie was a compelling character (although I had a hard time really connecting with him). The mystery of what happened during a handful of months during the childhood of Eddie and his friends did draw me in and I wanted to see how he would find answers and perhaps closure. But the book was not "gripping" or engrossing. Elements and threads from different events and various characters were woven into the fabric of the tale, but it did not feel like there was a solid and clear plot line that was moving toward a climactic ending--and I really wanted one. The ending was a bit of a twist, but I suspected it from about 2/3 of the way through the book.
So I am rounding this up from 3.5 stars. It was as good read, but not quite what I wanted or was expecting. And maybe that's my fault for coming into it with unfounded expectations. If you want a slow-burn mystery with twists that unfolds at its own pace, then this is for you.

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Review: A Rush of Wings

A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received and ARC of this book.
I enjoyed this book. It was a lush and lyrical retelling of the Six Swans fairy tale. I was transported to a magical Scotland of several centuries ago. The descriptions were immersive and the story was compelling. If you enjoy YA Fantasy, fairy tale retellings, or stories set in Scotland, I would definitely recommend this book.

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