(Netgalley) ARC Review: Two Across by Jeff Bartsch

Two Across by Jeff Bartsch

Rating: /5

*I received digital ARC of this book from Netgalley*

Pub. Date: August 4th, 2015

Get a copy here!

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY 

Reading the blurb of this book, I was intrigued by the uncommon choice of main characters of the book. And to think that this book is written by male author, it actually makes me think that something about this book might differ itself from other NA books.

I read a lot of NA these past two years and Two Across comes out nothing alike every NA I’ve read before. In fact, I think it’s more like literary fiction ―even if it’s not actually a genre. Two Across covers wide timeline of the whole story. Its main focus is how both main characters with complex characteristics going through some ups and downs in their life together where they learn and discover their true self in the process that at some point changes their perspectives and gives way to a self-introspection in the end. Also, how this book is written is unlike most NA books. To put this book under NA category I think might give away slightly different depiction of the book to the readers.

Two Across is a fiction set in 1960. This is something that the blurb fails to mention about this book. I expected this book would be a contemporary read (what with being shelved as NA) so I was surprised to find out it wasn’t. But I like it! As a historical-fiction enjoyer, I found this time set intriguing and suits the whole plot.

Vera Baxter’s first encounter with Stanley Owens was during National Spelling Bee in NYC on 1960. The two of them competed one on one and ended up winning together in tie. It’s kind of comical how it went on between them. Stanley who at first did not really up to win the competition, felt challenged when he saw the last competitor was the anxious yet eager girl with calm façade; he wanted to win. As words spelled by, Vera began to grow evil mind for the handsome boy who seemed never to fail to spell the given words. Oh boy, it cracked me up when Vera did imagine a car with Stanley on it sailing through a guardrail. That’s when I decided that I like her character. What an interesting-minded girl!

The opening scene of spelling contest is one great way to pull the readers in. The tension and childish mind-battle between two characters make the readers sure that this book would be a one-sitting material alright. I think so, too, and I finished this book in less than a day (which for slow reader like me is actually a big deal).

From there, Vera and Stanley began to meet annually as visiting alumni. They went for a DC trip once and both of them built a good though long distance friendship as Vera’s always on the road following her mom while Stanley’s always in the Hawthorne hotel where his mom seemed permanently fixed there. Until a year after their city trip as the day they would meet again for the third time since the spelling competition, Vera realized that she might develop some special feeling for Stanley. Then the day came and Stanley welcomed her with his usual smile. Unless, this time their annual visit finally became a turning point of their simple relationship into the most complicated relationship ever existed.

For some story, it might always start and end with love. But Vera and Stanley’s story starts and ends with crossword puzzle. Crossword puzzle is the reason Stanley comes up with big reckless idea of fake a marriage with Vera, which Vera agrees to come along and ends up hurting at over and over. But crossword puzzle is also the reason they reunite and reconnect the missing pieces together after such long long years of hide-and-seek. I love this part a lot! It’s really unique, it’s touching, eerily beautiful, and poignant to have such random thing to connect with someone with whom our hearts tied to.

Vera and Stanley are both smart people ―genius, even― yet their lives aren’t as easy as most people would think of them. This book shows that even smart people struggle in life. Unlike not-smart people who know better that not much people want to accept them in a job or a community, but smart people sometimes even have a trouble to accept their self before stepping out to the outside world. Stanley’s having a hard time to accept the fact that he’s academically gifted and might build a really bright career by going through an excellent education system. He wanted something else, something much simpler like being a crossword puzzle creator, though in his case he would definitely be a master of it with ease. I feel so much feeling for both characters. I root for Vera in everything she did to save herself from falling harder. I also sympathize with Stanley for everything he did to save himself from being ‘trapped’ forever. What Stanley did is obviously bad, worst even, but at some parts I guess I could understand his reason. It’s just that his oblivious about Vera’s feeling is damn frustrating. Even after he realized his true feeling, he chose to hold back from saying the truth. But I guess I understand why he chose to do so as well. As for Vera, I never even dislike her for a bit. She might be the one who’s always leaving, but she’s also trying to be the one who want to reconnect the old pieces. I guess that’s what love do to you, not to make you a fool, but to make you a good forgiver. Well, at least that’s how I see it positive way.

Each character in this book is unique in their own way. The characterizations for each of them are done very well. Vera and Stanley are such complex characters whose every action lead the story all the way to the end. I love how thing ends up eventually. Every lies is admitted, every mistakes is forgiven, and every lost is found again. Some people might not like how things end for Vera and Stanley but I’m satisfied enough with them. Really satisfied, even, because I personally think it’s beautiful.

Two Across is beautifully written. Even though I had to go again and again highlighting each rare word to find its definition, I think it’s worth it. This book was a little off at chapter 6 where I felt it’s hard to relate with the circumstance happening to Vera and Stanley but it picks its charm back up on next chapter. The pace is a little slow and there are repetitive scenes at some point but I enjoyed it thoroughly. For a debut novel, this book creates a really good start to introduce the author’s writing style to the readers. Some people might see this book differently than what I write here on my review but all in all, I love it!

Love, read, and review,

Cynthia D.

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ARC Review: Five Wounds by Katharine Edgar

Five Wounds by Katharine Edgar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received a digital ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Get a copy here!
AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Historical fiction is a genre that takes a special place in my heart. Reading a historical fiction for me is like ‘traveling’ with a time warp all the way to a whole different dimension in the past. Getting to know the life of people in places that used to exist somewhere around us ―or might be just right where we are right now― centuries ago through a story, gives me wonderful experiences that I could never get from another genre. I always loved history when I was still attending school. While reading historical literature is focusing on certain important events, historical fiction book gives more casual description about people living at the time, how they talked, how they interacted and behave among a strict conventional society. It’s like studying in a fun way, as long as we understand the line between real events and the fictional ones.

Five Wounds took place during Tudor era and was told with Pilgrimage of Grace as the background event. I know almost nothing about both things. That made me more excited to read the book because I’d get to add something more to my knowledge about England history after I finished it. And I did!

Nan Ellerton was the daughter of Sir Thomas. Unlike her sister, May, who seemed to always please their father just by being born pretty, Nan was always the black sheep in her family. She wasn’t as pretty as her sister but at least she was the brighter one. But that too, no longer mattered since the accident 10 years ago that brought shame to her family and made her forever remembered as a disgrace in their family history. She was sent to the convent ever since until she was not able to see her mother’s face for the last time. Once she’s back home, Nan lived under worse treatment from her father. Good thing she still had her sister and her grandmother who could make her life more bearable.

If that hadn’t enough as a life test for Nan, now she was faced with the worst one. One fine afternoon turned into a nightmare when her father said she was to betroth to a baron from the next dale named Lord Middleham. An older ―way much older than her 15 years old age― and had-married-three-times Lord Middleham. She had no other choice but to obey the arranged-marriage because of two things. First, if she didn’t make it, it’d be May who’d take her place at betrothal. May herself had betrothed to her sweetheart so there was no way Nan would have a heart to do that to her. Second, it would do good to erase her dark history as a disgrace if she married to a baron.

Nan dreaded her future where she kept imagining would be more awful than her life now. She would live in a strange castle, married to an older man with unknown personality, and there would be no May or her grandma to make everything bearable. What she didn’t expect was for her life line to changed 180 degrees as the rising made a move against King Henry VIII’s break with Catholic church in 1534. Not only she was tangled in sinful feeling with Middleham’s son, Francis, but she also had to dodge around from the anti-rebellion as the result of her fearless support to the rebels. She met a lot of people during the process including a blacksmith with interesting personality. In a flash, Nan found her life turned upside-down as her own belief wavered by the heart-wrenching violence happened around her.

Ms. Edgard as the author did a great job with the vivid details and all. Not only she had an excellent understanding about this historical event, she also succeeded in describing people’s daily life during Tudor era aside the rebellion and the situation of the dale very well. As people like me who knew nothing about the historical event, this was really helpful. Not only did she ‘play’ with rich details of the event, she also used lots of foreign terms along with conventional conversations ancient-like and she paired them all out there in a way that was easy to digest without I even needed to find the meaning of each terms. Like I said, this was such a great experience of studying history in a fun way. Ms. Edgard provided historical note in the end stating the clear line between reality and fictional ones from the book so I could easily identify them.

All the fictional characters on the book had subtle characteristics each except the main character, Nan, who was described as one realistic girl existed at the time. Unlike her sister, she’d tasted the bitter parts of life ever since she was 5. Nan seemed having a strong character at first. I was mesmerized by her determination in joining the rising. How she always based her demeanor on what she believed was true under her religious view until myriad of awful things taking turns coming to her life making everything she’d been believed faltered away. Sometimes I forgot that she’s only 15.

Lord Middleham and Francis both had difficult characteristics to read. I found myself feeling cautious at each of them back and forth. And close to the end, things unraveled in a surprising way. And there was also another character that started to get involved actively halfway through the book but apparently held on an important role for the ending. Ms. Edgard didn’t provide enough description to each character’s personality, instead we were led to judge them on our own based on the way they interacted with each other and how they talked to Nan as the narrator of the story.

I was totally immersed into the story. The vivid description of the situation at the time was enough to convince me that I was indeed ‘travelling’ with time warp all the way into Tudor England. Despite how wrong Nan had strayed from her original belief, I ached for her. She was faced with lots of misery ever since she was still an innocent kid. Sent away from home caused her to lack of motherly love. Then her father forced her to marry someone she didn’t love. And in the end the rising happened, followed by merciless punishment after the failure act of rebellion. I personally thought it was about time Nan snapped off. After all she was only 15 turning 16.

That was why I was so glad with how Ms. Edgard wrapped the story up. Nan deserved a happy ending for her long excruciating life on the past 10 years. Even though it was only a glimpse, I loved to believe that happiness would stay on Nan’s path from there onward.

Love, read, and review,

Cynthia D.

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ARC Review: A New Day at Midnight by Michelle Hiscox

A New Day at Midnight by Michelle Hiscox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

*I received a digital ARC of this book from Bookkus Publishing in exchange for an honest review*

Get a copy here!

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

“You are not a monster. I believe you are lost.”

(Hannah Marie; Chapter XV, A New Day at Midnight)

What a beautiful story!

I dove right in the book without any expectations other than the romance vibes. When I read the blurb, I could say that this book contain enough level of romance I always want in a book. And… damn if this book didn’t captivate me!

I had a hard time getting myself into the story at the first five chapters but found myself can’t stop flipping the next pages from chapter 6 to the end. A New Day at Midnight is a historical paranormal (thriller, if I may add) story that could make you craving for more!

Hannah Marie Worthington had been fighting the urge to giving up her life since ages ago. No, it was not because she’s one weak creature. Since her mother passed away, she practically took over the role as a mother for her baby sister, Kat. The irresponsible mean person called her father did nothing but adding the ugly parts on her already rough life. Hannah was always the one who had to work hard every single day yet she was the one who always got hit day and night by the drunken father. Hannah had no idea why. Her father might be already that mean to her ever since she was born to the world but ever since her mother passed away, it was just getting worse and worse. Only Kat, only Kat could brought her composure to keep going and keep living. 

One fine day, the appearance of a mysterious boy to Marion County along with the Romani carriages seemed like an oasis in her never-ending desert-like life. The smile, the beautiful flowers he gave her that day was nothing like she’d ever seen before. But then one night changed it all. The hope swelling in her heart cruelly crushed when people of Marion knew her secret meet-up with the Romani boy. It only took one night, seemingly, for her heart to bloom only to die again before the sun rose up. 

Ten years went by. Hannah had become one strong-willed beautiful woman. She was no longer the sixteen years old pathetic girl who couldn’t stop weeping over her first love, the midnight stranger. Yes, she could still feel her heart ache every time the memory of that night passed by on her mind: how the boy smiled at her, how warm his embrace… how he died right in front of her. But Hannah now had a plan lay in front of her eyes. Less than a year, she and Kat would be able to leave the devastating place called home and their awful father behind. They could go anywhere, live anywhere, do anywhere, just the two of them. But again, life had a habit of directing her life in unexpected path. She came home one day only to find out her father sold her to be a bride. To a stranger. She’d even never met. A dark devil, if she might add. Gone now the plan she had with Kat. With the dreading she felt for the coming future, she could only let Merik Hearne take her away from home ―from Kat in exchange for several coins to keep her sister’s life good. What left now? Her life was in the hand of the dark King with marred face who later revealed different purpose of taking her away from Marion. Was there ‘happiness’ written on her book of fate somewhere? Hannah had no idea, really. But one thing, though. The more she knew Merik, the more she saw someone who stole her heart in his presence. It was surely a silly thought, right? Only the world she faced now was not the simple one like she had back in Marion with Kat. This one filled with so many untold mysteries and so many unrevealed truths as well. And when revelations came hitting her from every direction, Hannah found out that she was standing in front of choices ―something she never had in life. Could she make the right one? When trusting someone became harder and her heart at stake; could she make the right choice?

Well, such a long synopsis I wrote but I can guarantee there are no spoilers there.

I actually have very little experience with historical books and read only a few of paranormal books. And when I first found out that A New Day at Midnight was the combination of these two genre, I was surprised ‘cause I really enjoyed every single scene of this book. I had a hard time getting my mind into the story at first because of the unfamiliar setting (being a historical book and such…), but when I finally immersed into the book completely I found it really hard to stop reading.

I love both main characters, Hannah and Merik. Hannah is the type of heroine that with no doubt became my favorite right away. Her strong wit, rational stubbornness, and yet very lady-like manner were only few of characteristics that make her outstanding than any other heroines I ever met. I love it that even though she went so much already in her life, she could still manage to be the personality her mother wanted her to be. I felt so touched by her strong adoration for her mother and sister, Kat.

“Where is home, Hannah?”
“What a ridiculous question. Home was my mother. Home is my sister.… Home is the place I choose to call so.”

(Chapter XVII, A New Day at Midnight)

And God, Hannah is so loyal to those who she loved. I swear, my heart swelled a bit every time I witnessed her stubbornness and never-ending loyalty to Merik Hearne.

“Whatever fears I may hold, know I do not fear you. Not you.”

(Hannah Marie; Chapter XVII, A New Day at Midnight)

No matter how cold Merik’s demeanor towards her, no matter how many times he pushed her buttons, no matter how dark the real Merik could ever be. Still, her love for Merik never changed after everything.

Merik Hearne might not be your favorite type of hero. He’s not mindblowingly gorgeous in appearance like most heroes. He has a very cold personality and a bit heartless it seems. But knowing his background, I hardly felt any hatred for him. Instead, when he’s around Hannah, he seemed to indicate bit and pieces of gentlemanly behavior. I could feel how Merik struggled a lot with wanting Hannah, resenting her, yet at the same time didn’t want to hurt her. People might feared him, see him as heartless King and all, but really, he was still an insecure boy inside. And who doesn’t love insecure hero?

Oh God, just how much I LOVE their banters!!!!!!! Hannah might not mind showing Merik what she felt in her heart, but she refused to just accept Merik’s cold treatment towards her. She could snap replies to just everything Merik had said to her to the point that even Merik found her amusing. Omg omg omg, I could never get enough of these two exchanging ‘smart-ass’ replies to each other!

Even though romance seemed to dominate major parts of the book, Ms. Hiscox had done a fascinating job slipping the thriller parts as well as putting the paranormal related scenes to the frame. Despite the similar characterization of ‘paranormal being’ that was featured here, the author bravely threw a new term to frame: Vetala. I thought it was just the same as vampire. Then I did a research on Wikipedia and found out that no, it’s not the same (a bit scarier, anyway). This is the first, I think. But I wish this new term was described more detail on the book so people wouldn’t make the same mistake as me (or maybe it was just me because I’m gonna admit it that I didn’t really pay much attention to the history of Merik’s ancestor… Not because it was boring or what, really. I just hate history).

This book brought me to a really enjoyable roller-coaster ride. It made me weep over the hard life Hannah and Kat had been leading for years, made my heart ache for the fierce loyalty Hannah showed to Merik, made me go aww for the chemistry between them both, and… made me laugh most of the time! Especially during the banters (where Hannah seemed to always forget her lady-like manner) and the scenes where Merik’s mischievous siblings were involved. I really liked Stephan, Anya, and even Nicolai. Perhaps, we could see these siblings having their own stories one day…*wink*

So, yes, five stars for A New Day at Midnight! Michelle Hiscox is new author for me but I have to say I’m really really satisfied with this one. Thanks for letting me read such a beautiful story! :)

Love, read, and review,

Cynthia D.

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Book Review: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Get a copy here!

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Stones are just stones and rain is just rain and misfortune is just bad luck.

Truthfully I don't know what to write in my review here for this book. I've never met a book like this ㅡthat telling a story set on long time ago during World War II; that telling every details of the war, the cities, the grief, the mess, the survivors; that telling a lot of agonies but didn't bothering; that telling very little romance yet I could sense the feeling about it is so strong. I'd hesitated several times before I decided to give this book a try. I'd read the blurb over and over again to convince myself that this book had nothing I ever wanted to read on a book. But the minute I'd met Marie-Laure, I'd fallen in love with this book. I'd become so obsessed over this book. On the first day of reading, I had to stop myself on chapter 48 because if I kept going I might skip my sleep. And today ㅡwhich is the day I finished the rest of the book in one sittingㅡ I skipped breakfast and lunch and only stopped five times to drink water because I was so eager to find the ending, yet in the same time I didn't want it to end soon.

All the Light We Cannot See is a really beautiful read. When the story began, it began with a simple background of each roles but somewhere raised a curiosity for the readers. In the middle, the feelings were all mixed up that several times I had to remind myself to exhale and the next time I felt grief, pity, and even smiled on certain parts. But when the story came to an end, it felt like the curtain closed as I turned the last page of the book, leaving me with a content feeling and mind full of imagination and yet it all seemed far and settled more as memories than a feeling. The ending not only concluded the story, but my feelings as well. And I'm glad for that because sometimes it felt uncomfy when the gloomy feeling caused by reading a book haunting you to sleep. But this book did a different thing. It offered a story full of complex situations, driving emotions up and down and in the end it settled down slowly and steady to a calm end, just like a cooling session. And now that I finished the book, I don't really feel sad or happy but more like feeling content in mind.
It is really genius to bring up the focus on these two main character, Marie-Laure and Werner in the middle of the war. How two people with different nations and a very short encounter yet had formed a very tight bound and... damn if it's not touching for anyone who reads this!
The words that Mr. Anthony had chosen were all so simple yet formed very beautiful and meaningful sentences. The metaphors and analogies he made are brilliance. And because I am a romance-freak, I noticed these several sentences which was formed ordinarily yet damn touching and heart-melting:

A shell screams over the house. He thinks: I only want to sit here with her for a thousand hours.

The window glows. The slow sandy light of dawn permeates the room. Everything transient and aching; everything tentative. To be here, in this room, high in this house, out of the cellar, with her: it is like medicine.

Her voice like a bright, clear window of sky. Her face a field of freckles. He thinks: I don’t want to let you go.

It was so simple and the farthest that a boy could think of about a girl who he just met less than a day yet it showed enough what his heart felt to her. Good God...

Well, I guess it will be a while until I will start reading a book again (because my poor eyes really need to rest right now as I write this review right after I finished the book) but as I said it before, I feel content to have read this deeply moving and beautiful book :)

Love, read, and review,

Cynthia D.

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