Book Review: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

Considering how long we had to wait for this book, the title is rather appropriate.

When I saw how thick this volume was, I immediately stuck it on my shelf. Well, first I let my grandfather read it because he's read the entire series and I wanted him to be able to get through it without having to wait on me. Then I let it sit on my shelf for nine months.

But since I've read over 60 books this year, I wanted to see if I could tackle it before the end of the year.

So here are my thoughts.

Firstly, I read the last book at least four years ago, so do I remember what happened in the last book? NO. Only the very end. So I really needed Gabaldon to ground me in what the heck was going on because there are so many little details that I'd forgotten. I can say that she did a pretty good job of it in the first 100 pages, with the exception of the Willie plotline. I can't remember much of anything about him finding out the truth about Jamie being his dad and Fanny... who is Fanny?

Secondly... are we trying to make this like a high fantasy historical fiction novel? Look, I get it, Gabaldon doesn't believe this story is a romance (*eye roll*), but there's actual magic? At least part of the stones and time traveling could be tied a little more to science, but physical healing with blue light? Wtf?

In all honesty, it took me about three weeks to get through this book. While there were some great moments, I found myself constantly questioning what the point was to all of the ridiculous detail. This novel was good, not great. It coudld have easily been about half the length and still been able to get the story's point across.

Don't get me wrong, I love getting to see Jamie and Claire again, Bree and Roger have my heart, and we really got to see more of William, but it felt like... a waste of my time. I hate that I feel like this. I wanted to be completely enmeshed in the story but I just wasn't.

Spoiler alert, click away now.

There's a scene toward the end where we think Jamie dies. I got choked up for half a second before Gabaldon brought back this "blue light" magic stuff that Claire has. I had to roll my eyes.

The novel ended on a happy note, with a bit of a cliffhanger. Not a bad one, but still.

My understanding is that there are ten novels planned in this series, so I fully anticipate Claire and Jamie dying in the next (and last) one. I'll read it cimply because I've invested so much time in the series, but can't say I'm dying to get my hands on it.

Abbie

Book Review: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Spells for Forgetting was recommended by a friend. I pre-ordered my copy, not knowing that I'd be receiving a copy through my Fairyloot subscription box! This special edition is beautiful!

That said, stick around to the end. I'm giving away my regular edition to one of my followers!

I have discovered that I am a total wh*re for second chance romances.

That's it. That's the review.

Nah, but really, this book had just about everything that I wanted. Witches. Autumn. Long lost lovers reuniting. Murder mystery. Small town.

I've read Adrienne Young's Fable and absolutely loved it, even though I'd wished it was Adult and not YA. I'm finding I have this problem a lot with YA these days.

When we first meet August, he's returning to Saoirse Island, his hometown, and a place he never thought he'd return to. On his mother's last wishes, August returns to the island to bury his her ashes. But what happened on the island 14 years ago haunts him to this day: the murder of his close friend Lily, and the burning of his family's orchard, the island's lifeblood.

Emery had big plans. Plans to leave the island and avoid becoming her parents. But when her best friend was murdered and August, the love of her life, disappeared without a trace, all her plans went up in smoke.

The moment August returns, small town gossip ensues, and everyone knows he's returned.

What follows is a beautiful story of reconnecting with the past, rediscovering a love so deep not even magic can sever it, and the truth of what happened to Lily and the orchard that fateful night fourteen years ago.

I loved this book so much that when I got to the end, I needed more. I can only hope that Adrienne Young will write more stories in this vein, because this was fantastic!

GIVEAWAY!

To win a copy of Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young, enter my rafflecopter giveaway! US only!

Abbie ;)

Book Review: Eidolon by Grace Draven

Last year, I read Radiance by Grace Draven and absolutely LOVED it! I knew there was a sequel, but I wanted to wait a while before I read it.

There is an epilogue at the end of Radiance, where Brishen's mother unleashes a darkness. I didn't realize immediately that there was a sequel, because I felt like Radiance was wrapped up so well that it didn't need one.

However, there was one, and I am so glad that I read it.

Eidolon picks up pretty much where Radiance left off: Brishen and Ildiko are living in their castle which is quite a bit away from the capital, so they haven't learned just yet what Brishen's mother has done.

When they do, however, all hell breaks loose. Brishen, the only remaining member of the royal family, is tasked with not only taking the crown, but saving the realm from a darkness that will devour everyone in its path.

One thing I really liked in this one was that we got perspectives other than Ildiko and Brishen. One of Ildiko's maids from the first book was charged as the nursemaid for the youngest of the crown prince's children. We get to see the fallout from what the queen has done from the perspective of someone in the capital. We get to see their flight from the castle as they have to keep the baby's identity secret until she can be reunited with her only living family member.

Conversely, we get so much romance and love between Ildiko and Brishen that my heart was fit to bursting by the end. I truly love the unexpected romance between them. It is so well done and I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a romance that makes their heart squeeze in happiness.

Abbie