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Reviews by Roberta R. (West Bloomfield, MI)

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On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
A Stunning Book (2/14/2022)
"On a Night of a Thousand Stars" is a stunning book with numerous twists and turns up to the very last pages of the book. The author uses very short chapters to alternate between the brutality of the Argentine political system of the 1970's and the more current lat 1990's which is set mostly in Buenos Aires. It was a book I couldn't put down. The Author made the stars of the Southern Hemisphere come alive with the characters and the plot. "On a Night of a Thousand Stars" is a real "Star".
Housebreaking
by Colleen Hubbard
Fast and Fun Read, But a Little Unbelievable (10/21/2021)
Housebreaking by Colleen Hubbard was a very fast and fun read for a debut novel about brokenness in early life and putting that life back together. However, I had a difficult time viewing this story line in the "believable" category for a totally inexperienced twenty plus female to accomplish what Del did. The thing that holds the book together for me (and thus my "good" rating) is the exceptionally strong character the author develops in Del, as well as developing her relationships with a few supporting characters.

The author follows Del from being a drop out high school and her job to job "loser", somewhat thoughtless person to a stubborn, focused and surprising young lady who is somehow able to overcome all obstacles in moving her entire old family house across a pond, mostly by herself, and finds how to somehow go on with life from the brokenness of her early roots.
The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West
by Carrot Quinn
Unbelievable Story (8/6/2021)
The first thing I noticed about the book was the unusual first name of the author ('Carrot") to find out later in the book it was a "handle" adopted by the author at registration for a demonstration (and apparently legally later formally adopted). The next thing I noticed before I even started reading the book was the cover art on the dust jacket, a lone hiker with backpack silhouetted under a train trestle, very lonesome in appearance, the cover art clearly reflective of the book's content.
The Sunset Route is a "memoir" but almost sounds like a fiction or fantasy book. Great Writing, draws you in from the beginning. That one woman could have such an adventuresome life, and yet so sad of an upbringing and life. Maybe dragged a bit at the end.
Ariadne
by Jennifer Saint
A Page Turner (4/3/2021)
Ariadne is a wonderful retelling of this Greek Myth. It was certainly a page turner for a first novel by Jennifer Saint. I am looking forward to her second novel which I understand will revolve around Clytemnestra and her daughter, Electra.
It was a delight to read Ariadne and to be reacquainted with Greek Mythology in a very fun way. Great interaction between the gods, goddesses, demigods and mortals. The book has everything, lies, deceits, love, passion action and hate. Ariadne would be a good book for a book club discussion.
Piranesi
by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi (8/26/2020)
I loved the book, I couldn't put it down. The author's prose was beautiful, you could visualize yourself as being right with the protagonist in the caves, particularly in the first one third of the book. The pace was quick. The only criticism I might have is that the ending was a bit of a "letdown" from the rest of the book.

I would consider that the book would be a good read for a variety of readers; book clubs, adults and young adults. I don't read a lot of magical fantasy books, so I think that even non-fantasy readers would enjoy.
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Women Before Wallis (7/24/2020)
I did enjoy reading the book, but I have some historical background regarding Gloria Vanderbilt (Little Gloria) so much of the storyline was familiar. The book was an "easy" read, and while it might be good for some fiction book clubs, it would probably not be very discussable for a more serious literature book club.
The book would be suitable for anyone who would just like a recreational type read. The storyline is very interesting (as was the actual historical event). The book is probably not suitable for anyone under age of 18, because of reference to drug use, infidelity and the like.
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