Reviews by John W. (Saint Louis, MO)

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The Adversary
The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
Disturbing Tale about Sibling Rivalry (1/4/2024)
This was my first but not last book written by Michael Crummey. I plan to read The Innocents next to determine whether it will give me further insights into The Adversary. If you want a book where one or more of the main characters are likeable, you won't find it in this …more
Pieces of Blue
Pieces of Blue
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Emotional Roller Coaster (2/22/2023)
Lindsay's and her children's lives take a dramatic twist from enjoying life wealthy without financial worry due to the success of her husband's tech start-up when he losses everything in illegal scams. If their lives weren't traumatic enough Lindsay's husband dies in a …more
Sisters of the Lost Nation
Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina
Less about Mythological Legends of Native American Horror than Promoted (11/9/2022)
Nick Medina addresses the plight of missing and murdered Native American women in more of an adult way versus young adult horror as some critics have portrayed the book. There are elements of Takoda folklore interwoven into the storyline, but it's more of a story of a …more
The Immortal King Rao
The Immortal King Rao: A Novel
by Vauhini Vara
Liked Station Eleven then You'll Love This Book! (4/13/2022)
The Immortal King Rao is a very intriguing and well written story that is extremely appropriate for the time we are living where big tech dominates our lives in more ways than ever envisioned. It tells a story of a dystopian society of an Indian man who invents a computer …more
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
The Dirty War of The Argentine Dictatorship (2/9/2022)
Many readers of this book are probably unaware of Argentina's Dirty War – the period of state terrorism from 1976 – 1983 when state security forces, military, and right-wing death squads hunted down political dissidents and anyone believed to be associated with socialism. …more
The Family Chao
The Family Chao: A Novel
by Lan Samantha Chang
Modern Version of The Brothers Karamazov (12/11/2021)
One of my favorite books of all time is Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and its lessons that people should not judge one another and should forgive another's sins. Like the Brothers Karamazov, the plot is fueled by the relationship of a father with his adult sons.

The …more
Never Saw Me Coming
Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel
by Vera Kurian
Unusual Who Dunit Novel (7/13/2021)
The main character Chloe is an 18 year-old that changed her name from Michelle and identity after being raped and videotaped when 12. Chloe has been labelled a psychopath — empathy and a conscience, and part of a program studying psychopaths at a university in Washington, D. …more
At the Edge of the Haight
At the Edge of the Haight
by Katherine Seligman
Life on the Street - A Young Girl's Perspective (10/18/2020)
As a previous foster parent this story brought back sad memories of true stories foster children have shared. Maddy experiences the horror of some children when she is part of the system designed to protect children - food rationed, children locked in their rooms, etc. by …more
Remembrance
Remembrance
by Rita Woods
Can't Wait for the Sequel (10/23/2019)
I really enjoyed the book and found it well written. The author has that unique gift of describing the location and events where the reader can visually imagine themselves part of the story. While I greatly enjoyed the book, I found the description of the book a little …more
When We Left Cuba
When We Left Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton
Amazing Follow-up to Next Year in Havana (1/10/2019)
If you enjoyed Next Year in Havana you'll want to check this one out. If not, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but the first book is so good that you really don't want to miss it. Unlike many other readers of both books, I'm not big into romance novels, but loved the …more
My Lovely Wife
My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing
Strap Yourself in for a Wild Ride (10/10/2018)
It is hard to believe this is Samantha Downing's debut novel - its insanely (LOL) twisted and unpredictable! She does a great job of character development and you'll quickly develop a love/hate view of them. While no family is perfect - this takes it to a whole new level. …more
The Twelve-Mile Straight
The Twelve-Mile Straight: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson
Excellent Fictional Account of Dark Time in Our History (6/13/2018)
Warning: Many readers may find this book too dark, sad and brutal - unfortunately it is probably a very accurate of life at the time (1930's) and place (Georgia). As difficult as it was to read I was also compelled to finish the book to learn the fate of the "Gemini Twins". …more
Next Year in Havana
Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton
Swept Away by Next Year in Havana (10/19/2017)
Not my usual novel genre, but I am pleasantly surprised that I chose to read this book. Its one of those rare books that captures you in the opening pages and doesn't ever let you go. You could feel the author's passion for the subject matter.

I enjoyed how the author …more
The Heart's Invisible Furies
The Heart's Invisible Furies: A Novel
by John Boyne
My Vote for Best Book of 2017 (6/14/2017)
As an American Irish Catholic man, I was drawn to the book after reading the publisher's summary and wasn't disappointed! The story covers 40-years in the 70-year life of the narrator - Cyril Avery spanning from Dublin / West Cork, Amsterdam and New York. Contained in the …more
If We Were Villains
If We Were Villains
by M. L. Rio
Shakespeare in the Modern Age (3/8/2017)
If We Were Villains is an incredible read even if you are not a Shakespeare fan. When the novel opens, Oliver Marks, one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite college in Illinois, finishing up a ten-year sentence in prison for the murder of one of his …more
Castle of Water
Castle of Water: A Novel
by Dane Huckelbridge
Castle of Water (11/30/2016)
Loved this book – it captures you from the beginning and never let's go! Friedrich Nietzsche said it best, "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger" – in this case it applies to Sophie and Barry's survival after their small plane crashes in the middle of the South …more
Caught in the Revolution
Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 - A World on the Edge
by Helen Rappaport
Feel Like You Are Present During the 1917 Russian Revolution (10/12/2016)
Rappaport has written an amazing account of what happened in 1917 Russia. The book begins with Russia at war and flooded with refugees. Despite a war and the challenges that it brought life for the Russian citizens, the Petrograd large foreign community as well as …more
Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson
5 Stars (7/19/2016)
One of the best books I read in the last several years!

Normally I stay away from books about the Holocaust – I've read many and while I hope mankind never forgets this tragic chapter in history, I find that afterwards my belief in man suffers when I reflect on how most of …more
Miss Jane
Miss Jane
by Brad Watson
Inspirational (4/5/2016)
Loved, cried and cheered for Miss Jane! Brad Watson has written an incredible novel that offers readers a view into pre and post depression South, the struggles of a woman born with a defect (lack of a vagina) that prevents her from bearing children or effectively control …more
The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
by Antonia Hodgson
Top Book for 2016? It will be on my short-list! (1/6/2016)
The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins is a wonderful historical fiction piece set in London during the Georgian period (18th century). I liked The Devil in the Marshalsea, but totally fell in love with the sequel! Although a sequel, you don't need to have read The …more
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