Rosh's Reviews

AUTHOR: Marion Agnew GENRE: Contemporary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2023 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: An indie drama with some quirky characters and a great setting in Lake Superior, Canada. Mellow in tone, genuine in content, thought-provoking in themes. I enjoyed this unusual novel. Plot Preview: Simone, almost 70, is a retired widow who lives an isolated life in her cottage on the banks of Lake Superior and still misses her husband, though he’s been dead for five years. While she is now active in her local church and finds solace in baking for those grieving, she is fiercely protective of her privacy. But when the local reverend asks her to take care of nine-year-old Chen while his widowed mother goes on a much-needed trip, Simone finds it tough to refuse a fellow-mourning widow. Just before Chen arrives, a stranger named Martin knocks at Simone’s door, claiming to be her cousin. Simone is suddenly handling two strangers at once, and she worries that they will dis...

AUTHOR: Emily Barth Isler GENRE: Middle-Grade Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: March 5, 2024 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A middle-grade timeslip story about a girl who wants to be seen for herself than for her prowess with the violin. Interesting themes, nice story. A bit repetitive at times, and too much ‘crush’ talk for my liking, but other than that, a pretty good book. Plot Preview: Twelve-year-old Rosie is a musical prodigy, proficient in the violin since a very young age. Her synaesthesia allows her to see music in colours and she also has an eidetic memory for tunes. All this means that her life revolves around the violin and practices and performances and everything else that can help steer her towards becoming a concert violinist, as per her demanding mother’s wish. But Rosie has had enough, and in protest, she has not played the violin in more than two months. When Rosie is forced to spend summer with her grandparents, she bumps into another girl hanging about their old gar...

AUTHOR: Victor Methos SERIES: We Could be Heroes, #5 GENRE: Short Story PUBLICATION DATE: February 7, 2023 RATING: 3 stars. In a Nutshell: A short story combining a psych thriller and a legal drama. Nicely written, but didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. Still, a decent finish to this Amazon story collection. Plot Preview: Nick Collins has just been handed his first client accused of murder, a welcome change from his typical civil case clientele. As he strives to find the truth, he discovers that the small town in which his client Ryan is imprisoned has its own way of doing things. Unless he finds some concrete proof about Ryan’s innocence, Ryan seems to have already been judged guilty. Can Nick save Ryan? Is Ryan truly innocent? This is the fifth and final standalone story in the 'We Could be Heroes’ series, described on Amazon as “a darkly inquisitive collection of short stories that examines heroic intentions versus their real-life consequences.” I enjoy psych thri...

AUTHOR: Uché Okonkwo GENRE: Short Story Anthology PUBLICATION DATE: April 16, 2024 RATING: 4.1 stars. In a Nutshell: A collection of stories set in contemporary Nigeria, covering various kinds of “madness”, but not necessarily the one you would assume. I enjoyed the setting, the writing, as well as the content. Much recommended! I wouldn’t say that this collection of ten stories took me by surprise. Most OwnVoices African anthologies or story collections I have read have been outstanding, and I am glad that this book continues the positive trend. There is no introductory or author’s note, but the theme of the collection is quite clear from the title and the blurb. The title highlights how a ‘kind of madness’ is the driving force behind these stories. The primary focus is on relationships, whether familial or societal. Expectations lead people to do crazy things, and that’s the kind of crazy we see haunting the pages of this brilliant book. The emotions behind the characters’ actions ...

AUTHOR: D. Holmes ILLUSTRATOR: Bárbara Marques GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: February 28, 2024 RATING: 1 star. In a Nutshell: Lovely illustrations, good intent, silly story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EDITING TO ADD: It has been brought to my notice that the author of this picture book is a young boy of nine, which I was not aware of while reading or reviewing it. As such, I do feel sad that the book didn't click better for me. You may still want to give the book a try to support a budding young author. However, I want to emphasize that my reviews are always about books and never authors. As such, I am not editing my original review, or even my rating, which, as per Goodreads rating policy indicates that I 'did not like' the book. I hope my feedback is taken as constructive criticism and the young writer can enhance his storytelling the next time around. Good luck, and best wishes! Original and unedited review below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sor...

AUTHOR: Jess Kidd GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: July 12, 2022 RATING: 2 stars In a Nutshell: I enjoy historical fiction. I enjoy fantastical elements. I enjoy stories with strong child characters. I enjoy dual timelines. I enjoy fiction based on facts. BUT I did NOT enjoy this book. Go figure! Plot Preview: 1629. Nine-year-old Mayken, newly orphaned, is sailing along with her nurse maid to the Dutch East Indies. Their vessel is the magnificent Batavia, one of the greatest ships of the Dutch trading fleet. Mayken is unlike typical girls of her era, with her unbridled curiosity and her propensity for misadventure. She spends her time roaming the ship’s underdecks and searching for a mythical monster, not realising that there is no monster worse than humankind. 1989. Nine-year-old Gil, newly orphaned, is sent off to live with his grandfather off the coast of Western Australia, on a small fishing island. When he discovers the story of a shipwreck and hears of a young girl’...

AUTHOR: Ada Loewe GENRE: Middle-Grade Superhero Mystery. PUBLICATION DATE: March 22, 2024 RATING: 2.5 stars In a Nutshell: A middle-grade mystery-fantasy about a girl who has an “embarrassing superpower”. The mystery part gets greater focus, so don’t expect a typical superhero story. I liked the idea more than the implementation, but looks like I am the only one so far who has outlier feelings. This might work better for younger middle-graders. Plot Preview: Ten-year-old Lili Gray is struggling to deal with an embarrassing new development in her life. ( No spoilers! Sssh! ) To add to her worries, her dad has gone missing, and she is sure that her stepmother Bella is behind his disappearance. Other than her friend Alejandro (aka Ale), she has no one to turn to for support. Then she discovers a long-lost uncle. Can she seek his aid to find out where her father is? Can she also figure out how to deal with her mortifying ability? The story comes to us in Lili’s first person perspective. ...

AUTHOR: Eli Burnstein ILLUSTRATOR: Liana Finck GENRE: Language Nonfiction PUBLICATION DATE: April 9, 2024 RATING: 3 stars. In a Nutshell: The term ‘dictionary’ led my expectations askew. The book contains distinctions, but not just limited to common words. It covers too many topic areas and hence feels needlessly complicated. I did have fun with it and learnt much, but I wish it had stuck to more practical distinctions. Confusables ( words/phrases that are easily confused with another in meaning or usage ) are common in every language, but English is possibly the champion when it comes to having the maximum number of confusables, courtesy its eclectic composition. Whether homonyms or homophones or homographs, English does its best to muddle up not just newbies but also native speakers. As such, a book that clarifies confusables is always welcome to teachers as well as students. Except that this one does not exactly fit the above requirement. I must begin by appreciating the efforts ...

AUTHOR: Jane Davis SERIES: The Chiswell Street Chronicles, #1 GENRE: Historical Literary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: March 13, 2024 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A good literary fiction, but might not work for everyone. I love the research, the storyline and the main character, but certain small factors prevented this from being a top star read for me. Still, recommended to historical fiction readers who like character-oriented plotlines and a grounded setting. Plot Preview: 1775. London. Twenty-five-year-old Dorcas Turton once belonged to a wealthy and reputed family. But due to her father’s gambling problem, worsened after her mother’s death, she now resides in a small house, taking up sewing jobs and running a class for young ladies to make ends meet. Books are her only solace. With no improvement in their financial situation, Dorcas leases out a room. The new tenants, James and Nancy Lackington, rejuvenate the house with their spirit and friendliness. Dorcas finds their suppor...

AUTHOR: Elizabeth Pich & Jonathan Kunz GENRE: Graphic Novel, Poetry. PUBLICATION DATE: April 2, 2024 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: Not exactly as I had expected, which is actually my fault as I should have read the blurb. This is a picture book for adults, containing six poems covering various adult/workplace-related issues. Some motivational, some humorous. Most were not my cup of tea, though. I had grabbed this only by a look at the cover. ( I know, I know!!! ) What corporate professional wouldn’t resonate with the expression on that mouse’s face, as he stares at his comp? I assumed this to be a collection of funny comics related to the workplace, maybe something on the lines of Dilbert. While this is still an illustrated book, the content isn’t a collection of comics but six poems. This was the first hurdle for me. I am NOT a poem person, and I had not anticipated this book to be written entirely in rhyming verse. Moreover, the poems are in AABB pattern, which, to be frank,...

AUTHOR: Jennifer Ryan GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: March 12, 2024 RATING: 4 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction based on true events, focussing on the functioning of the Bethnal Green Library from the local underground station during the WWII Blitz. The ending was a bit too smooth for my liking, but the rest of the plot was worth it. I learnt a few new facts as well, which isn’t something I expected. Recommended! Plot Preview: 1940, Bethnal Green, London. Juliet Lansdown, 26, has just been appointed the new deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green library, but when she takes over, she realises that the head librarian refuses to adopt new ideas to imbue fresh life into the library. Juliet is determined to prove to him that women librarians can handle the job adeptly. Katie Upwood, 18, loves her job at the library though it is only for the short term before she heads off to university. But after the death of her boyfriend on the front line and some big personal uphea...

AUTHOR: Geneva Price GENRE: Historical Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: November 17, 2023 RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: An ambitious debut historical fantasy that wanders through many paths not taken before. The ending (a bit too wild for my liking), the length and the pacing could have been better, but kudos to the author’s imagination for keeping the fantasy part rock-solid. Plot Preview: Faith’s stepfather Colonel Trumbull, a renowned artist, has categorically told her that the art world is no place for a woman, and her only purpose is to get married and breed children. While Faith has learnt to curb her true nature in his presence, she can’t stifle her longing for art, especially when she seems to have a wild imagination and a talent for sketching. When Faith learns about a mysterious Ink used by the Colonel, her curiosity surges, and she soon discovers how magical and powerful the Ink is. Will Faith give access to her inner artist and be able to use the Ink against the explicit inst...

AUTHOR: J.T. Ellison SERIES: We Could be Heroes, #4 GENRE: Short Story. PUBLICATION DATE: February 7, 2023 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A standalone short story that is somewhat predictable but still delivers a wallop of an impact. This series is making me shatter all my assumptions about heroes! Plot Preview: After a life-altering tragedy ten years ago, Addison Blake left her hometown and never returned, even though she is still haunted by the ghosts of the past. But when a video showing a stranger rescuing an old man becomes viral, Addison, a freelance reporter, knows that she has to go back to interview the man she recognised as her old classmate. After all, this interview could mark the beginning of a new phase in her career. But has the trauma of the past really healed? Will this ‘breaking news’ finally save her, personally and professionally? The story comes to us in Addison’s first person perspective. PSA: Go in blind! This is the fourth standalone story in the 'We C...

AUTHOR: Lola Jaye GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: April 28, 2022 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A dual timeline historical fiction covering the shared trauma of two children in an attic, separated by almost a century. Compelling plot, excellent writing, powerful themes and research. Definitely recommended. (Just in case you thought this is a slave narrative, it is not so. Rather, not a typical one anyway.) Plot Preview: 1907. Twelve-year-old Dikembe assumes that he is being sent by his mother along with the white man named Sir Richard Babbington for a month-long educational trip to England. Little does he know that he is to be renamed Celestine, and because of a change in circumstances, he will soon become an unpaid servant. Locked in the attic when he is not working, Celestine can only dream about his family while wondering how he can return to them. 1970s. Lowra, a young orphan whose familial wealth and privilege doesn’t save her from being banished to the same atti...