January, 2025

“White Mulberry” by Kwon Easton

Miyoung’s sister is sent to Japan to marry.  A few years later, Miyoung is given the opportunity to move in with her sister in order to continue her education.  In Japan, Miyoung faces ostracism due to her Korean heritage.  She quickly realizes that to survive, she must pass as Japanese.  She finds some peace with a Korean church group, and quickly falls in love with a Korean activist.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Miyoung’s story was interesting, and she was a well-developed character.  However, Christianity seemed to be thrown in at the oddest and most random times.  As Miyoung grew older, it became harder to like and sympathize with her decisions.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“A Tiny Piece of Blue” by Charlotte Whitney 

After a house fire, Silstice is abandoned by her parents and left to fend for herself.  Her younger siblings are sent to other relatives, and her older sister moves in with a friend.  With no options, Solstice appeals to her FFA teacher, Edna.  Vernon, Edna’s husband, is reluctant to have anyone else in the house, and harps on Silstice using the electricity, water, and eating food.  Solstice strikes a deal, where she pays $1 a week to stay.  Initially, Edna secretly gives her the money, but the money has run out.

I thought this was a good young adult novel.  For me, an adult, the characters felt a bit stereotypical and the plot line was a bit basic.  I also thought the novel needed an epilogue.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Immigrant Queen” by Peter Taylor-Gooby

The book opens with Aspasia’s purchases of Limander, a bard enslaved by the Greek’s.  As he plays for her he observes her falling in love with Pericles, the leading politician in Athens.  He slowly learns more about his mistress and her story.  Outside of their home, the locals are upset that outsiders have penetrated their society and begin rioting and attacking.

I would have preferred a story told from Aspasia’s point of view.  Limander was a pretty bland character, and his interactions were limited.  Perhaps a story alternating from different points of view would have been more dynamic and interesting.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Midnight on the Scottish Shore” by Sarah Sundin 

In order to escape the Nazi’s, Cilla van der Zee agrees to spy for them.  Trained as an undercover agent she is sent to the shores of Scotland.  She is immediately captured by Lt. Mackenzie, who does not buy her story.  She is arrested, and reluctantly agrees to work as a double agent.  She is stationed in a lighthouse, where she sends carefully crafted messages back to the Nazi’s.

This was a very predictable book.  The characters immediately despised each other, slowly fell in love, and by the end could not do without one another.  I found the double agent aspect of the story extremely intriguing.  This kept me reading despite the predictability and stereotypical characters.  Fans of romance will love this story, it just wasn’t for me.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Daughters of Palatine Hill” by Phylis T. Smith

During the reign of Emperor Augustus Caesar, he is surrounded by women.  Livia, his wife, Julia, his daughter, and Cleopatra Selene, the daughter of his enemy.  After the death of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Selene came to live with his sister, and then under his roof.  With the succession in question, Augustus marries his daughter to one man, then another, then another.  His wife struggles to maintain balance in the household, while Selene quietly watches, her fate up in the air.

This was a well written and engaging novel.  I enjoyed the alternating points of view.   The points of view helped move the plot along and gave multiple perspectives on events.  I was particularly fascinated by Cleopatra Selene.  I think multiple novels could be written about her life.  Overall, highly recommended!

“I Am Livia” by Phyllis T. Smith

Livia Drussila, the daughter of a Roman senator, finds herself on the wrong side of history.  Her father is opposed to Julius Caesar, and marries her to a military officer.   She gives birth to a child amidst war, and sieges.  She flees into the countryside, finds herself at the mercy of others, and fights for her life.  A chance meeting with Octavianus, the future Caesar Augustus, leaves them both intrigued.  Can her fortune change?  Can she change allegiance?  This is a novel of her early life.

This book was well written, engaging, and fast paced.  I found myself reading late into the night.  The characters were well developed and flushed out.  I really felt like I knew Livia and the other characters in the novel.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

“Secrets of a Thousand Beauties” by Mingmei Yip

A ghost bride, Spring Swallow is forced to marry a spirit.  On her wedding day, she engineers her escape, fleeing to Soochow.  There, she meets Aunty Peony, and a variety of embroidery apprentices.  She swears herself to Aunt Peony, and begins learning the art.  

Although this was an interesting story, I struggled through the book.  The characters were a bit one-dimensional and stereotypical.  I found it hard to relate to and even like the characters.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Ashes in the Snow’ by Ruta Sepetys

At the age of 15, Lina and her family are taken by Soviet’s and forced on a crowded train.  Her father is separated, leaving Lina, her Mom and brother.  Sent to a Siberian work camp, they fight for survival.   This was both a touching and heartbreaking novel.  The characters were well developed and the plot moved at a nice pace.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“The Rebel Romanov” by Helen Rappaport 

When Catherine the Great is searching for a bride for her grandson Constantine, she turns to Germany.  She solicits three sisters, from the Saxe-Coburg line, to visit Russia.  There, the girls are inspected and judged.  Julie is chosen to be the bride.  As soon as her family leaves, Constantine turns into a temperamental monster, treating her horribly.  When the emperor dies, Constantine’s brother becomes emperor, and Julie flees back to her homeland.

This book was a bit dry and slow moving.  The characters were flat and a bit boring.  The story was not brought to life, it was just words on a page.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.