Review: Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

 

Title:  Winter's Orbit

Author: Everina Maxwell

Genre: Sci-fi, Romance

Format/Length: ebook, 384 pages

Publisher: Tor Books, 2021

My Rating:  ★★

I picked up this book with little to no expectations. I read the summary and was interested right away. I didn't pay attention to the blurb comparing this book to two others. It wasn't relevant to me at the time since I haven’t read either of those books. The only thing I wanted from this book was enjoyment. 

Hundreds of pages later I am sad to say that it did not deliver. 

I guess I liked it enough to keep reading. I mean there were so many pages and I held on for so long. But that last 20% was almost painful. 

My problem with this book is that it is just so middle of everything. In every respect this story, this entire book never varies. It doesn’t lean one way or the other, it never swerves. It doesn’t rock the boat. It’s just there. It’s just so.   

It’s set in space, the world is nothing like our own, which could mean a lot of potential for world building. And while we do get some world building, it’s not really a lot. It’s more of a sprinkling. We are given just enough to understand that this world, this society, is not exactly the Earth we live in now. It seems like the sci fi aspect was used to prop up the arranged marriage trope. This makes sense since we are given just enough to understand why this arranged marriage has to happen. 

The romance is okay. Again, we are given just enough to understand why these two people had to get married to one another, and why it had to happen so soon, and what the stakes might be. But again it’s just so okay. 

After all those pages, all those words, I cannot understand why I should care whether or not they stay together. 

For the treaty, sure. For the sake of diplomacy, okay. Maybe because they’re decent people who kinda sorta like one another, sure. 

If the goal of the ending was to demonstrate that the couple chose to give the marriage a chance, see how it goes, date while being legally married as it were, I can see that. An ending like that does seem believable to me because it seems in character for both of them. It’s also hopeful. 

But I take issue with the fact that after so many pages, there wasn’t enough to show us why and how these two people became interested in one another. Aside from the fact that they are bound by marriage and they find each other attractive enough to sleep together, I don’t get why I should care about them.  

The thing is, there was very little interaction between Kiem and Jainan.  If the point was to portray who they are as individuals, okay that was well done. I understand them individually.

But what about as a couple? I don’t get it.

Who are they when they are together? 

These are two people in a high profile marriage. I assumed that would mean a lot of meeting and greeting types of things. Public appearances. Ceremonial nonsense that is going to be followed by the press, which means as a couple Kiem and Jainan have to keep up appearances. 

There could have been something about gossip rags and then having to do damage control. Again, because this is supposedly a high profile marriage, and one of the pair has a reputation for being something like a party boy, that would make sense for the story. It would create a believable tension, give them a chance to work on something together. And while there was something to that effect; they did make appearances, they did have to be wary of the press, it was still so inconsequential. It didn’t give us more of Kiem and Jainan together. It didn’t give them opportunities to learn more about each other. 

It didn’t give us anything fun. 

I guess the mystery surrounding the death of Jainan’s previous partner - what he may or may not have been involved in - was something for Kiem and Jainan to work out together. But even then they did little working it out together. 

The alternating POVs and Jainan’s personality gave them room to work out the mystery individually and presumably they’ll get together later to share data. But then they get thwarted by something or other so that just becomes another point where they did not communicate. 

The best part of this book for me was that in Jaina’s POVs we are given enough foreshadowing to that “twist.” I thought the writing of those small details was successful. In that case, providing just enough detail, and not relying on flashbacks made the reveal later on more impactful. 

I don’t like that the whole book felt like a trope bingo card. I don’t mind tropes. I’m not tired of cliches. But with this book I could not overlook that it seemed as if each story component was added just so a trope could be crossed off. 

Overall, this whole thing was just a little of everything. A trope here plus a trope there, combined together and arranged just enough to please; probably someone like the publisher. But in doing all that and not more, it falls short of being enjoyable or exciting or invigorating or interesting. 

Review: Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title:  Allegedly

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Format/Length: ebook, 400 pages

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books, 2017 

My Rating:  ★★★★

Mary B. Addison has been convicted of killing a three month old baby. Mary was only nine years old at the time of the crime and she barely said a word when she was questioned. It was the public outcry over the death of a baby that sealed Mary’s fate. And for the past six years all she’s ever known is silence, secrets, and adults who judged her and didn’t care about her.

But Mary’s finally had enough. She wants out of the horrible group home, with its dirt and squalor and horrible people. Coming clean about what really happened that night six year ago might be Mary's salvation.

But who will listen to her? Who could help her reopen her case? And what about her Momma? How can Mary make people understand what it was like to live with her? 

How can Mary make people see her? Does anyone really know the real Mary? 

These are just some of the important questions you will come across while reading Jackson’s debut, Allegedly. Page after page grips you, urging you to stay with Mary, to not miss a single thing she says or does. This story will keep you with Mary on an emotional, gritty, disturbing ride.

It’s easy to feel frustrated about Mary’s plight. Time and again you could ask yourself; why? How could this happen to her? How did it get this far? Did anyone question the physical evidence? Did no one look at Mary’s mother? 

That’s what makes this novel so gripping. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to keep reading and get answers to my questions. 

Another aspect that was done well was the portrayal of the effects of Mary’s six years of incarceration. It’s clear that her imprisonment has deprived Mary of so much. Aside from freedom she has also been deprived of information, and any and all means of obtaining it. 

This is evident in Mary’s ignorance about so many things. From how computers work, the necessity of having an ID so she can take the SATs, and even not knowing that dozens of books have been written about her and her alleged crime. It all makes sense. It fits the narrative of Mary’s life. 

There is also Mary’s voice. While I wouldn’t call her childish, there is a clear difference between Mary and someone else her age. Again it’s unmistakable in the way Jackson writes Mary that she has gone through so much, and that she has essentially grown up in prison.

As for the rest of the cast of characters, each is vivid and very well done. Jackson did not forget these characters, you can tell she did her research and provided a solid story for each of them. I found these characters to be kind of scary in their distinct differences, particularly the other people living in the group home with Mary. 

I won’t spoil the ending. But I will say that I did like it. I thought it was a good ending, in that it made sense for this story. Allegedly hooks you from the beginning and it won’t let you go until the last page. The writing is smart and the dialogues flow. It deftly tackles issues like truth and mental illness. It also doesn't shy away from examining race and the justice system. 

Even though I don’t love any of the characters and nothing that happens in this book is enjoyable, it is a good read. It’s emotional and sometimes that’s what I look for in a book.

Review: The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

cover image from goodreads

Title: The Penelopiad

Author: Margaret Atwood

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

Format/Length: ebook, 193 pages

Publisher: Canongate, 2007

My Rating:  ★★★★

If you’ve read the Homer’s The Odyssey or seen that episode of The Simpson’s in which our favorite family portrays the royal family of Ithaca, then you’ve met Penelope, the Queen.

Born to a royal family in Sparta, cousin to the beautiful Helen, for generations Penelope has been heralded as the ultimate loyal, patient wife. For in The Odyssey, Penelope stays in Ithaca fending off hundreds of suitors using her cleverness as she waits for the return of her famously cunning husband, Odysseus.

In the Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood uses her own cleverness and ingenuity to give Penelope a voice. Penelope gets to tell us about herself, her life, and what she really felt about that husband of hers. And Atwood’s not one to miss a great opportunity; in this book Penelope even lambasts Helen quite a bit.

There’s a chapter hilariously and rightly called “Helen Ruins My Life.”

I mean she did, but so did Paris.

More importantly Atwood gives Penelope the space to tell the reader that they shouldn’t follow her example.

Penelope wants to scream that people shouldn’t just be patient, quiet, or meek. She acknowledges that terrible things have happened around her and in her silence, she has been complicit.

There’s one event she’s especially upset about. Atwood’s Penelope owns the burden and pain of what she did and didn't do when she was alive.

Speaking of alive, this Penelope actually isn’t living anymore. Rather she’s in the afterlife, and it is from there that she shares her story. She has the benefit of hindsight but Penelope doesn’t make excuses. If anything she allows herself to be more forthcoming, as evidenced by her comments about Helen, and of course Odysseus.

Another element of this novel that I enjoyed very much is Atwood’s use of the twelve hanged maids as a Greek Drama Chorus. It was brilliant. Atwood alternates between Penelope’s story and with the Chorus of Maids either singing or performing poetry. It is through this chorus that the maids are given a chance to tell their story. But also to rail at Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus. They demand justice for their cold hearted end.

The twelve maids, who they were, what they did for Penelope for years, and their deaths at the hands of Odysseus and Telemachus, is a vital part of the whole story.

At last, they have the space to speak now too.

There is plenty to love and appreciate about this book. Not least of which is Atwood’s writing, which has been consistently enjoyable to me.

Compliments aside I wanted more of Penelope. I wanted to read everything about her. I wanted more details about her early life in Sparta. About her family. 

How did she spend her childhood? What kind of people were around her? What influences did she have growing up? I was looking forward to all of that and more. Give me the smaller details of this person's life. I would love it.

Maybe someone else out there would have a different take on Penelope's story. Atwood's take is worth a look.

At less than 200 pages, The Penelopiad is a short book, easily consumable and fantastic. It is for everyone of any age and reading preference.

Penelope’s story is timeless. And with Atwood’s skillful hands it is beautifully told.

Review: Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀

cover image from Goodreads

Title:  Stay with Me

Author: Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀

Genre: Fiction

Format/Length: audiobook, 8 hours 

Publisher: Random House Audio, 2017 

My Rating:  ★★★★★

This is the story of Yejide and Akin, who have been married for years. All in all, they have a pretty good life. Yejide has a thriving business, while things seem to be looking up for Akin at work. They have a house and they're not lacking for any material comforts.

Yejide’s and Akin’s marriage is supportive, caring, and loving. But there is something missing. For years, they have been trying to get pregnant without any success. Enter Akin’s family who foist a new bride onto him. Much to Yejide’s devastation, Akin agrees to have a second wife. And so begins the disruption to their peace.

Of course that’s not all that happens in this book. So much of this story is not what it seems. Adébáyọ̀ takes the readers on a wonderfully twisty, absorbing, reading journey.

Told in alternating perspectives, Yejide’s and Akin’s, Adébáyọ̀ explores the ups and downs of life. Focusing not only on the relationship of two married people but also the impact of external forces; in-laws, society, tradition, and in their case, an unwanted wife.

Adébáyọ̀’s novel asks what happens to two people when life throws them a curveball one after another? 

What would someone do to get what they want? 

How much are they willing to give up? Will they give up peace of mind? As well as themselves? 

And when it’s all said and done, how can a marriage survive? 

Is forgiveness out of the question?

Adébáyọ̀’s writing is strong and moving. I just couldn’t put this story aside. I desperately wanted to know what happens next. I think the alternating voices were very effective in showing the reader different sides of the story. It added a lot of emotional impact. After all, there are two people in this relationship.

Simply put, every wonderful thing you've ever heard about this book has been well deserved. Stay with Me is powerful, interesting, and evocative from start to finish. I won't be able to stop thinking about this book for a while.

Review: Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Title:  Genuine Fraud

Author: E. Lockhart

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller

Format/Length: ebook, 288 pages

Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2017

My Rating:  ★★★

Genuine Fraud has been marketed as a thriller. There’s a mystery at the heart of the story. There’s suspense. It will be "edgy and inventive."

Or so they say.

The book begins at the end. At the start the reader learns that Jule is on the run, and might have been evading authorities for quite a while. This moves on to carefully building up to the what and why.

Through that careful build up it became clear that I’ve read this story. I’ve seen these characters before. They even acted and did the same things. Some scenes are only slightly different.

So there goes the mystery. I already know this story. In fact, I loved it once. But who knows I might love it again. After all, this one has troubled women and this writer is known to excel at portraying those. There might also be a different twist at some point.

Sadly, if there was one it was not significant enough to distinguish this book from an old favorite.

Essentially Genuine Fraud is the modern reimagining of a book I read a few years ago.

Unfortunately I didn’t know that starting out and I found myself slowly getting disappointed.

Even with the "homage to a classic" in mind, I wanted so much more out of this book. I wanted to be wowed. I wanted to be impressed. I wanted excitement. I wanted a twist so different and separate from the other that it would make my head spin.

In the end I give this book 3 stars because while the plot was a letdown it is not a complete loss for me. I did finish it. I also appreciate it for the Lockhart’s writing - which I admit is engaging and well paced.

The themes and the questions this book presented were also something I enjoyed.

Such questions about identity. About truth. About relationships; what’s healthy, what’s definitely not. Self presentation, self-esteem, self preservation. Lies, secrets, boundaries, envy, morals.

There’s also the big question of what a person is willing to do to get what they want. How far will someone go to live the life they believe they are supposed to have.

Considering these things and choosing to look at this book as a retelling makes Genuine Fraud more enjoyable, even if not memorable.