The first 70 pages the characters were stilted and I could not get interested in the story. It is only when Greer arrives that the characters come alive and there is hints of mystery about each of them. Then this book became interesting and I wanted to know more. The awful feel of being a woman divorcee with no rights in the early 1950's was captured well.

From the 1st to last page, King of the Armadillos entranced me. A key part of this book is the experience of living with and healing from Hansen's Disease - something I knew little about. Wendy Chin-Tanner introduced all the characters in interesting ways making me care about each one. The ribbons of the challenges of youth, being Chinese or Jewish, immigration, the different ways of loving, the impact of having money or not, and the magic of music are deftly intertwined. And Hansen's disease is clearly explained. I could not put this book down because I cared about these people. I hated to have it end, I hoped for a different ending yet - this ending is real. I truly enjoyed this book and will add this author to my favorite list.

Through 2/3rds of this book, I struggled to keep the 4 main characters straight and to care about them. If I had not requested this book to review, I would not have finished it. The last third of the book was better written and more enjoyable to read. 'The Gifts' never captured my imagination and Parts of it were repetitious and boring.

I enjoyed this book very much - finding it difficult to do anything else but keep reading. I was unaware of young children being evacuated for their safety in England - the cost of that to the children and families involved was deftly drawn. I cared about the characters and their challenges. I ended feeling a great empathy and new understanding of that time. I received a free copy to review - thank you. I will recommend this book to my book club when published.

I found the 3 women characters wooden and could not care about them. The premise of the book did not grab me or interest me. At page 200 I gave up.

I was into this book about 75 pages when the author's story caught me and I couldn't stop reading. I cared about each character - and there are many - and the feel of being an African woman permeates this book. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. This is not an easy read - and it is worth it. A rich and compelling story.

The Big Finish provides chuckles, empathy, and humans at their best and worst at any age. I sure hope assisted care homes have caring, flexible, best human staff like these. The first 80 pages were slow to pull me into the characters and story. Once in, I enjoyed this book immensely. Though bodies fail, key human characteristics of humor, caring, anger, love of adventure remain. The author reveals much about what it feels like to be an alcoholic and conquer the addiction. Also revealed is the abhorrence of going to a nursing home. These characters have life and the story is a good one. Definitely a good read.

After reading the last page, I thought Wow! Great writing! Incredible characters. Full of life philosophy. The best description of inner racism and entitlement I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put this book down. Others told me this book went back and forth between years and was confusing. I did not find that hard to follow and it enriched the story. As I read I could feel the story building like a huge wave to come crashing in at the end. How does Ms. Blake do that? Highly recommend that you read this book,

A book that has layers and where the "wonderful things" seem like they will never happen. It begins slowly and becomes Riveting, heart rending, educational in a way I hope I never need -- well written. Bryn Greenwood had to have lived this. It is too real. A story of lives, child and adult, torn apart by addiction, lack of love, abuse, anger, and full of everything downright ugly. Where salvation for one child comes from someone negatively labeled for heritage and looks,that is the only one that acts with love and honor. Where love lasts through the "impossible" for years and is finally right and "a wonderful thing." Much more to tell and I don't have the skill to convince you this book is hard to put down and even harder to forget. Brilliant!

I struggled to get into this book. The characters and situations were a mish mash. I found myself back tracking often to figure out what was going on. I would have guessed this was an inexperienced writer. The middle was better but no "thrill and chill" for me. And then, the non ending -- what is that? There were many over used descriptors, the characters were flat, the situations not linked well. I would not have wasted my time if not for the responsibility of this review. I love good mysteries - this one was not for me.

With refugees and migrants struggling to escape misery and death, this book captures the reality of what that means in a way that gets under your skin and into your heart. Nadia Hashimi's book starts out a bit slow but soon becomes one you won't put down until the end. It has aspects that keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happens next. It has heart, describing the life and limits of an afghan woman and barely teenage boy bringing alive the terror, brutality and unjust actions of politics, war and sometimes religion. The unbelievable love, courage and tenacity of being a refugee as well as the smell of fear is all in this book. Yet, it is somehow hopeful. I learned a great deal about so much and enjoyed this book immensely. Somehow every nation must find a way to welcome and support refugees -- they are leaving a hell we can't imagine.