This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


One might assume from the title that this nonfiction book by the author of the award-winning novel “Bel Canto,” is a memoir of her marriage. She is happily married, but the book is a collection of essays. She writes about all the loves of her life, the ones lost as well as the ones that have stayed, or that she’s kept.

The first two essays, about writing and process, were of interest to a group of avid readers. The rest of the essays, published in magazines from Seventeen to Gourmet to Outside (with a graduation address thrown in), are of general interest. Dogs and family, taking the entrance exam for the Los Angeles Police Academy, lovers and friendships, the dead and the living—most people of a certain age who lived through the 1970s will relate.  Locals will relate to her thrill at the video broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera, live and close-up in a Nashville movie theater. In one of the essays she talks about writers telling only one story, no matter how many books they write.  The human story itself can be seen as one story: life, love, and loss, the theme. Patchett is honest with her truths of the heart and knows her way around building both sentence and story—a reader’s delight.

In retrospect, considering the work it takes to hold on to love and to let love go, the title makes emotional sense. It looks like “Bel Canto” will always be my favorite of her books; sometimes the first book you read by someone retains the gloss of first love. But I am very happy to have read this one.




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More adventures in the Black Forest

From a High Tower by Mercedes Lackey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This Elemental Masters novel reworks the Rapunzel story. Giselle was traded by her father to a witch for food for the family. Giselle’s magical stepmother dies, and Giselle is on her own, trying to find a way to maintain her home and independence. It’s Lackey, so it’s good and all fans will want to read it, but I wouldn’t enter the series here—especially since the heroine of the previous book (Blood Red) shows up midway through. It’s entertaining, placing a Wild West show in Germany. It has a leisurely pace, though. Despite a challenge early on, it seems three-fourths of the book is setup.  In fact, it has the feel the middle book in a trilogy sometimes has, that the next book will be the reward.  Hopefully it will be, for Rosamund the monster hunter (Earth Master) and Giselle the Air Master are well on their way to establishing a kind of partnership. Maybe there is a Sisterhood of Elemental Masters coming up! That would be exciting, and allow a new refreshment to the longrunning series.
You can always count on Lackey to produce a three or four star book, and this is a solid three for me.

I received an EARC for review from the publisher and Netgalley. 




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The Shadow Revolution by Clay Griffith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Shadow Revolution can be likened to "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Parasol Protectorate," leaning more toward horror than comedy. It's interesting and well-written and will appeal to fans of the genre and the authors. The atmosphere of creepy cruelty is so well done, the male aristocratic attitude so perfectly embodied, it definitely brings to mind the infamous Hellfire Club and the reality of the times. The storytelling is great and I recommend it for those fans whose taste runs more to the dark side; it's obvious the other two books will be as good.

I received an EARC for review from Netgalley and the publisher. 



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We Are Not Alone

Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The intriguing thing about this novel is that it places some Hopi/Pueblo lore at the center of a space drama, utilizing the tropes of invaders vs. colonists, advanced science vs. magical powers, tradition, politics, ethics, opposing and complementary worldviews, and first contact to draw the obvious parallels. And turns expectations upside down and crossways.

It was beautiful, violent, and strange, just like my native Southwest. Keyes is respectful of native traditions as he explores love and honor in the cosmos. I have read and enjoyed Keyes' fantasy novels and am happy to report he can handle science fiction also. Particularly recommended for those who enjoy scifi with a Native American twist, or the works of Dan Simmons and Greg Bear (this is short, though).

Though I received an EARC for review from the publisher and Netgalley, I ordered a copy for my "real" bookshelves.



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Worth the Cost

Survivor by Mike Shepherd

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Vicki Peterwald: Survivor is better all around than she was in "Target," edging up from 3 to 3.5 stars. Shepherd hits the right notes in this second entry in the series. Kris Longknife's example lurks in the background, but Vicki is coming into her own. Lots of action (mostly outside the bedroom, this time, yay.) Vicki gains valuable experience, compassion and gumption--and the support of the real Navy. This Peterwald is saving people from hunger, economies from collapse, and working hard for good, for once. Well done! Recommended for Kris fans, and anyone else who enjoys a light space opera.
I received an EARC from Ace and Netgalley for review.



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Well Met on the Path

The Canterbury Sisters by Kim Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Canterbury Sisters

Is a great book for a long weekend read—or an anytime read. The blurb: “Che Milan’s life is falling apart. Not only has her longtime lover abruptly dumped her, but her eccentric, demanding mother has recently died. When an urn of ashes arrives, along with a note reminding Che of a half-forgotten promise to take her mother to Canterbury, Che finds herself reluctantly undertaking a pilgrimage.”

It won me over despite its first person, present tense narrator. Perhaps it was the “outsider” perspective—Che joins a pilgrim group at the last minute. Along the way, in Chaucerian fashion, the eight women tell stories that reveal their hopes and dreams for the journey.  All women will find something to relate to in these stories.

Wright has the perfect balance between tragedy and comedy in the perspective, language, and stories of her pilgrim group. This is a perfect book club book. Highly recommended.
I received an EARC for review from the publisher and Netgalley.


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Plant Yourself and Read

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Miss Em feels the wonder she first felt upon reading Novik’s Temeraire: the joy of finding a new take on old tropes, but even more, the satisfaction of being in the mind of a master wordsmith. Away to another world, where cultural assumptions are terribly and wonderfully suborned. This is a Polish-flavored fairytale for adults, with a wicked forest, a mysterious dragon magician, and an unconventional heroine. Magic, danger, love—and the twist of a sister-friend quest.

Miss Em does dot give five stars lightly. Nor do Robin Hobb and Maggie Stiefvater. And Sherwood Smith gave it an excellent review as well. These are reviews from her peers, not cover blurbs, mind you.  And, there’s closure enough, doesn’t matter if this is a series or not. Miss Em highly recommends. Will she thenceforth read anything Novik writes? Yes, and again, yes.

Miss Em received an EARC of the book from the publisher and Netgalley for review.





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