Tag Archives: amreading

Book Review The Oracle of Stamboul

The way the author goes inside the mind of a little girl is impressive. I could feel her emotions and yet remain an outside observer. The way the author weaves the language is poetic without being stuffy. Beautiful, beautiful language! I love historical fiction when it makes an era alive for you, and this book certainly did that – presenting the high and mighty along with ordinary people so that together they made you see into the times that have passed. The description of the physical surroundings only added to the poetry of this book. And the end result was quite surprising, yet I understood the motivations of the little Eleonora Cohen so well.

Thank you for writing this beautiful story – this will be one of those books I will be reading again and again. Bravo!

Book Review: The Witch of Napoli

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A fascinating story. The details of the seances were well written. The characters were interesting, though perhaps remained a little distant at times in my mind (slightly more telling instead of showing), which is the only reason I did not give this story five stars. But the characters were well researched and there were certainly moments in the story when I could relate to their emotions.

I enjoyed reading about old Naples and the other locations. The author was skilled in painting the scenery with words – I could imagine the sights, sounds and smells easily.

I would have given this 4,5 stars it that had been possible. WIll read this author’s next book for certain.

Book Review: Purrs and Peril

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If you are looking for a cozy mystery, this is just about as cozy as it can get. Which is exactly what I needed when I downloaded this ebook. I was stressed out (birthing two books before the end of the month when my MA Egyptology studies start). It turned out to be a good choice to calm down my mind – despite being a murder mystery.

There is nothing too scary about Purrs and Peril. it has just the right amount of wondering who-did-it in the midst of cozy baking and knitting (the protagonist has inherited a small café and runs it with the help of her cousin and a Norwegian forest cat.) There is a touch of budding romance – of course there has to be a handsome detective… Cute story. I was kinda waiting for the cat to have her own thoughts and maybe “say” things. She did not, but had an endearing presence nevertheless. I could almost hear in my ears the “brrt” she said when discussing with her human, and while leading the cafeteria customers to their seats – which the cat chose for them.

if I had not been so stressed, I probably would have needed a little bit more action, but as it was, it was the perfect thing to read. I give the book four stars.