Thriller Thursday Audio: The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Posted on December 15, 2022 15 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Macmillan Audio (January 3, 2023)

Length: 7 hours 57 minutes

Author Information: Website

Narrators: Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Shiromi Arserio

The Villa was a great if flawed thriller—perhaps a little convoluted to start, but then came together in the end in a way that makes me wonder if I might be selling it short. What I do know for certain is that there are multiple layers and meanings to the story, but in terms of how well they are communicated, I’m not so sure.

First, we have to acknowledge the two parts to this book. One focuses on a pair of stepsisters in 1974, while the other follows two best friends in the present. Both timelines are connected by a luxurious Italian villa in sun-soaked Tuscany, but belying its gorgeous façade is a history of violence. In the 1974 timeline, it is revealed how the property was rented by a group of artists that summer, only to wind up with one of them brutally murdered. In the present, the villa has since been converted into a high-end holiday home, and a struggling author has come to stay hoping for inspiration but instead finds its secrets to be much more intriguing.

Back in the early 70s, rock star Noel Gordon was kind of a big deal. So when her stepsister Lara was invited to hang out with him in Villa Rosato for the summer, Mari couldn’t have been more excited to tag along with her boyfriend Pierce Sheldon, who was also a musician who could really use this opportunity to launch his career. In the end though, it was the women whose lives really took off by the end of that summer, which spawned two well-known modern classics. Mari wrote her masterpiece Lilith Rising, regarded to be one of the greatest horror novels of all time, and Lara went on to compose Aestas, her debut album which went platinum. Poor Pierce Sheldon, however, ended up dead. A fifth occupant at the house that summer, Noel’s drug dealer Johnnie, was convicted for killing him, but the case, known throughout the world as the Villa Rosato Horror, has remained a fascination for true crime enthusiasts ever since.

In the present, Emily is a recently divorced novelist stuck on delivering the latest volume of her cozy mystery series which she really needs to finish in order to pay the bills. In contrast, her best friend Chess, a successful self-help author with a massive social media following, doesn’t seem to have any of those problems. To help out Emily, Chess suggests a summer getaway to an Italian villa where both of them can relax and focus on writing. But Emily soon discovers that where they are staying is none other than the site of the Villa Rosato Horror, and that one of its most famous guests, the celebrated horror novelist Mari Godwick, may have left some clues behind as to what really happened that notorious summer.

That’s a lot to unpack in The Villa, but once you realize author Rachel Hawkins was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and even by the fact that the idea for Frankenstein was conceived on a rainy afternoon in an Genevan castle where Mary Shelley was staying with her husband poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friend Lord Byron, then the pieces start falling into place. I also that think for this reason, like many other readers, I prefer the 1970s storyline a lot more, since that’s where most of the inspiration for this novel came into play. Plus, it’s got sex, drugs, and rock and roll—what more could you ask for?

But with this in mind, the present storyline appears to be supportive, with Emily’s main role being to investigate and uncover the truth, while the conflicts involving her writer’s block, her messy divorce, etc. become almost secondary. That said, I liked how Emily’s unusual “frenemy” dynamic cleverly reflected the competitive nature and bitter jealousies between the sisters Mari and Lara, and no doubt Hawkins had intended for readers to draw certain parallels and comparisons to their sibling rivalry.

Was The Villa meant to be more of a creative retelling about Mary Shelley’s writing of Frankenstein? Hawkins even makes allusions to the nightmare to which Shelley attributed her inspiration. But clearly there are also many questions in both the 1970s and present timelines that are floated but don’t seem to have any resolution by the end. Or maybe I’m just missing something? I want to say this is a very clever book, because it’s one made for theorizing and discussing into the night, but at the same time, I’m left feeling like I’m stumbling around in the dark.

Overall, I can’t help but wonder if the author actually had a plan or I’m just overthinking it, and in the end, The Villa is just another one of your typical murder mystery thrillers featuring a creepy old mansion but dressed up in a different package. Certainly the present timeline had some of these vibes, especially since the ending ultimately felt tacked on, with many loose threads and a conclusion that left me unconvinced of the characters’ motives or reasoning. However, I just can’t say enough good things about the 1970s timeline, which was definitely the novel’s foundation and highlight. This is one of those reviews where I wish I could write about everything I thought without having to worry about spoilers because I have many ideas and theories I want to share, and if you end up reading The Villa, I would love to discuss!

Waiting on Wednesday 12/14/22

Posted on December 14, 2022 10 Comments

Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy’s Pick

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 18, 2023 by Del Rey)

“From the New York Times bestselling author of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau and Mexican Gothic comes a fabulous meld of Mexican horror movies and Nazi occultism: a dark thriller about the curse that haunts a legendary lost film–and awakens one woman’s hidden powers.

Montserrat has always been overlooked. She’s a talented sound editor, but she’s left out of the boys’ club running the film industry in ’90s Mexico City. And she’s all but invisible to her best friend, Tristán, a charming if faded soap opera star, though she’s been in love with him since childhood.

Then Tristán discovers his new neighbor is the cult horror director Abel Urueta, and the legendary auteur claims he can change their lives—even if his tale of a Nazi occultist imbuing magic into highly volatile silver nitrate stock sounds like sheer fantasy. The magic film was never finished, which is why, Urueta swears, his career vanished overnight. He is cursed.

Now the director wants Montserrat and Tristán to help him shoot the missing scene and lift the curse . . . but Montserrat soon notices a dark presence following her, and Tristán begins seeing the ghost of his ex-girlfriend.

As they work together to unravel the mystery of the film and the obscure occultist who once roamed their city, Montserrat and Tristán may find that sorcerers and magic are not only the stuff of movies.”

Audiobook Review: Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse

Posted on December 13, 2022 15 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1/Stand Alone

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (November 15, 2022)

Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: Dion Graham

While I didn’t love Tread of Angels, it was definitely better than I thought it would be. Having come to this from Rebecca Roanhorse’s novels and her more epic works, I obviously wasn’t expecting something on the same level or scale from this bite-sized novella, but for its purposes—providing a quick and entertaining tale of mystery set in a Western-inspired fantasy world of angels and demons—it was enough.

Our story begins in Goetia, a once quiet mountain town which has seen a boom of visitors traveling in from far and wide ever since word has spread that its mines are filled with Divinity, a powerful element used as fuel for the latest technologies. But because the source of Divinity is the body of a fallen angel who fell to Earth during the Heaven’s War, only those descended from his rebels, called the Fallen, have the ability to detect the precious element. For this reason, the Fallen find themselves tolerated in society but they occupy the lowest rungs of socioeconomic ladder which is dominated by the ruling class made up of Virtues (from the powerful Order of the Archangels) and the Elect (those of angelic descent).

Our protagonist Celeste is a Fallen. As children though, she and her blood sister Mariel were raised apart in two very different worlds. While Celeste was raised by her father among the Elect, Mariel remained with their mother and grew up in the slums of Goetia. They reunited as adults, working at a local gaming house where Celeste deals cards at the tables and Mariel headlines as a singer bringing in the customers with her beautiful voice. But one day, the two women’s lives are turned upside down when Mariel is accused of murdering a Virtue. Determined to prove her sister’s innocence, Celeste must take on the role of Advocatus Dioboli (Devil’s Advocate) to gather the evidence required to clear Mariel’s name and save her from execution.

There’s so much to love here, not least of it being the world-building. The novella format doesn’t do it justice. You’re meant to soak in this setting, immerse yourself in it, savor all its descriptions and details. But because Tread of Angels is so story-driven, story developments and character interactions set the pace, leaving readers inadequate time to fully appreciate the sheer scope of the world Roanhorse has created.

Still, I can never resist a fantasy Western setting. The references to the goldrush and the ye olde frontier town are obvious, but I also enjoyed the dash of steampunk which breathed some fresh air into the world. That said, Goetia can also be grim place, especially if you’re a Fallen. No matter how or where you’re raised, the burden of your ancestry stays with wherever you go, as Celeste learns once she sets out on her mission to defend her sister and witnesses the class disparity and discrimination for herself.

Then there’s the mystery plot. While it’s a fairly standard one, I was still surprised around midway through when things took an unexpected turn towards an ending I hadn’t predicted. But since it’s such a short book, Celeste’s investigation is rather quick, involving some digging around for clues and interviewing people here and there. We also take a few detours to visit Abraxas, a former general for the rebels in the Heaven’s War and also Celeste’s ex-lover whom I still have mixed feelings about because I’m not entirely sure his character was all that good or necessary. In a longer novel I think he would feel less out of place, but right now I just get the sense Roanhorse might have just thrown Abraxas in for the sake of having some sexy times.

And then we come to Celeste herself, who isn’t the easiest protagonist to sympathize with, but I also understand that it’s likely by design. Of course, it’s possible to get past her brashness, her impulsiveness, and her stubbornness to enjoy the story, but again, I have a feeling it would be a lot easier if this hadn’t been so short.

Bottom line, Roanhorse absolutely does her best work when she’s given more room to develop her characters, and honestly, I think the same can also be said of her storytelling and worldbuilding. Tread of Angels was a good read, but I can’t help but wonder how much better it could have been as a longer book.

Audiobook Comments: I very much enjoyed the narration by Dion Graham, who really nailed Celeste’s personality with her reading style and voice. The length also meant it wasn’t a huge time commitment, and the audiobook made for quick and easy listen.

Bookshelf Roundup 12/11/22: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on December 11, 2022 21 Comments

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.

black line

Received for Review

My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

Another quick update this week as we barrel towards the holidays and things are looking a little quiet in the old inbox. With thanks to Forge Books for sending along an ARC of The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton which is set in a near-future world where bees have gone extinct, looking at the far-reaching consequence on a society’s agriculture, environment, economy, and politics.

Courtesy of Orbit, I also received an ARC of Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the third book in the Children of Time series. I loved the first two books, which I think are some of the author’s finest work, so I’m really looking forward to read this one.

Thank you also to the kind folks at Wunderkind PR and 47North for a review copy of The Union by Leah Vernon. This was a new one to me; a quick search on Goodreads shows it’s a sci-fi dystopian unique for its reverse racism themes and that it was originally self-published under the title Impure before being revised and re-released under its current title.

Only one new audiobook in the digital review haul this week. Thank you to Hachette Audio for an early listening copy of The Stolen Heir by Holly Black, the start of a new duology set in the same world as the author’s Elfhame series.

Reviews

The Hollows by Daniel Church (4 of 5 stars)
A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor (3 of 5 stars)
Raven Unveiled by Grace Draven (3 of 5 stars)

What I’ve Been Reading

Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!

Audiobook Review: A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor

Posted on December 9, 2022 11 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Short Stories, Horror

Series: Collection

Publisher: Random House Audio (November 8, 2022)

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrators: C. J. Tudor, Richie Campbell, Dakota Blue Richards, Roy McMillan, Richard Armitage, Adam Sims

After reading her four novels, I’ve become quite the fan of C.J. Tudor, so when she released her first short story collection, I decided to throw caution to the wind and check out the audiobook edition of A Sliver of Darkness.

In the interest of full disclosure though, I’m not really a big reader of short fiction, and unfortunately, this collection reminded me why. I’m the type of reader who prefers to settle in with a book where the plot, setting, and characters are given plenty of time to develop, which in turn gives me the time to feel more connected to them. I can’t say I got that with most of the stories here, though it wasn’t a complete loss, as there were a few gems that stood out. All together there are eleven tales in this collection, but I will only comment on a handful in this review—mainly those that stood out to me, for better or worse.

We’ll begin with the stories that impressed me, and by far my favorite was “Runaway Blues”. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also a favorite for many others as this one felt meatier and more substantial than a lot of the other stories in here. The author took the time to build up the creepy atmosphere so that when the ending revelation was finally revealed, she stuck a perfect landing. Huge props also to the narrator of this story, whose nailed the 1930s blues bar vibes and accents.

Another standout to me was “End of the Liner”. Imagine it’s the apocalypse and you’ve survived by spending last fifty years living in a dystopian society board a Disney-like cruise ship sailing endlessly around the world. Once a passenger reaches their 75th birthday though, they are forcibly “retired” in a macabre ceremony that involves the entire ship. This one was a great opener that set the tone for the rest of the offerings in this book, letting the reader know to expect the eerie, the twisted, and the uncanny.

I also really enjoyed “Completion” which was a surprise, since the main character in it was so thoroughly unlikeable! What I loved about it was so how unabashedly over-the-top it was, and the ending was so unexpectedly bizarre and steeped in dark humor that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Butterfly Island” was a fun read too. No pretenses or anything too complicated about this one, which had B-horror movie vibes and could have been something more if it hadn’t ended so quickly and abruptly. But then, that was my one complaint about pretty much all of these.

In the end, I also didn’t find too many stories that were as memorable. I wouldn’t say any of them were bad, just too short to register as more than a blip and to be forgotten as soon as they were finished. Most of them fell into this category, like the “The Block”, “Dust”, or “Final Course”. All had great concepts, but like I said, a great concept alone won’t carry a story for me.

And finally, there were a couple stories that read more like thought experiments, and these simply did not do anything for me at all. “I’m Not Ted” immediately comes to mind, and in a way, so did “The Lion at the Gate.” Again, neat concept, but nope on the execution.

That said, one thing I do want to highlight about this collection, and what I thought was an amazing addition, was the author’s notes that preceded each story. In some cases, I enjoyed learning about the inspiration and process that went into writing the story more so than the story itself. Tudor is such a talented writer, and it was fascinating for me to see where she gets some of her ideas. As an extra bonus, Tudor narrated these forewords herself, which made them feel more personal, especially as some of her commentary included details of her family life. I’m still a big fan of her work, but I think I’ve had my fill of her short stories for now, and I’m much more excited about the fact that her next project will be another novel.

Book Review: The Hollows by Daniel Church

Posted on December 8, 2022 16 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Hollows by Daniel Church

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Angry Robot (November 8, 2022)

Length: 460 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I went into The Hollows without knowing much about the book beyond that it was a horror set in a remote English village in the middle of a snowstorm. What I expected was something more in line with a psychological suspense, but instead what I got reminded me very much of 30 Days of Night with a dash of Midnight Mass—a claustrophobic pulse-pounding thriller with a paranormal component and featuring religious themes of good versus evil in a war as old as time.

In the sleepy town of Barsall, it isn’t too uncommon to find a few bodies frozen in the snow every winter, usually of lost travelers who wandered too far from the trail or underestimated the dangers of the bitter cold. But the latest one Constable Ellie Cheetham is called in to investigate is something of a mystery. For one thing, the victim is a local named Tony Harper, a member of the village’s most notorious family of troublemakers. He also died close to home, clutching a knife in one hand as if he’d spent his final moments trying to fend off an attacker. And finally, Ellie finds a strange symbol etched in charcoal near his corpse, possibly a ritualistic marking.

Instead of answers, a visit to the Harper household only leads to more questions. Tony’s mother, the matriarch Liz Harper, was predictably angry and grief stricken when informed of her favorite son’s death, but in the older woman’s eyes, Ellie also thought she saw a flash of terror. Liz Harper appears to know more than she lets on about what killed Tony, and of the strange charcoal marking and what it means.

As you can imagine, because I went into The Hollows blind, I was thrown for a loop at how things turned out. It was definitely the best way to experience this book, to be surprised and thrown off guard by the revelations of what was plaguing Barsall. Cosmic horror combined with demonic forces made this one a more unique and intriguing experience than I was expecting.

The setting also did not disappoint. I love tales of terror of suspense set in cold remote places cut off from civilization or any chance of rescue when the shit hits the fan. It’s the main reason I jumped at the chance to read this book with nary a clue of its plot or premise. I’m happy to say author Daniel Church nailed the homely atmosphere of Barstall, where everyone knows each other’s business and barely any secrets can be kept. Despite the mundane nature of life there, it’s a down-to-earth and cozy existence, making the horror that befalls its citizens later in the book feel so much worse.

Speaking of which, most of the characters are stereotypical figures you’d find in a small-town story, but they’re well-written and memorable. Ellie is the no-nonsense, capable cop on the job, who takes her duties to serve and protect rather seriously. Keeping her on her toes is the Harper family out at the Barrowman Farm, led by the vile Liz Harper and her older sons who are little more than her thuggish henchmen. As horrible as they were, the Harpers hold the key to the story’s mystery, and I was fascinated to learn of the role they played in the overall conflict.

The writing was also impressive, if no literary masterpiece. Church’s prose is a good match for the genre and tone of the story, written in a cinematic style that proved effective especially in the final chapters. With action happening in several places all at once and the perspectives moving between all the different POV characters in quick succession, I could imagine the words on the page playing out like a movie in my mind. Some of the sequences were so lengthy and intense, in fact, that it was almost mentally exhausting.

If you’re looking for a snowbound horror that’s equal parts thrilling and entertaining though, The Hollows has got you covered. A gripping chiller for the winter season, it’s even better when you don’t know what’s coming.

Waiting on Wednesday 12/07/22

Posted on December 7, 2022 11 Comments

Mogsy’s Pick

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart (April 20, 2023 by Orbit Books)

“The Bone Shard Daughter was hailed as “one of the best debut fantasy novels of the year” (BuzzFeed News). Now, Andrea Stewart brings us the final book in this unmissable, action-packed, magic-laced epic fantasy trilogy, The Bone Shard War.

Lin Sukai has won her first victory as Emperor, but the future of the Phoenix Empire hangs in the balance – and Lin is dangerously short of allies.

As her own governors plot treason, the Shardless Few renew hostilities. Worse still, Lin discovers her old nemesis Nisong has joined forces with the rogue Alanga, Ragan. Both seek her death.

Yet hopes lies in history. Legend tells of seven mythic swords, forged in centuries past. If Lin can find them before her enemies, she may yet be able to turn the tide.

If she fails, the Sukai dynasty – and the entire empire – will fall.”

Book Review: Raven Unveiled by Grace Draven

Posted on December 5, 2022 15 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Raven Unveiled by Grace Draven

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Series: Book 3 of Fallen Empire

Publisher: Ace Books (November 8, 2022)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Raven Unveiled is the third book set in the Fallen Empire series by Grace Draven which takes place in the same world as Phoenix Unbound and Dragon Unleashed but follows a new set of characters and can be read as a standalone. Like the previous novels, this one is also a fantasy romance, this time focusing on Siora and Gharek. The former used to work in the latter’s household, caring for his young daughter Estred. Then Siora betrayed Gharek, forcing her to go on the run while he pursues her across the Kraelian empire. When the mad empress was still alive, Gharek was her cat’s-paw and right-hand man, but now he is a fugitive left with nothing but a burning vengeance to see Siora captured and punished for what she did to him.

Siora had her own reasons for betrayal, but she also is no stranger to being hunted. A shade speaker, she was born with the ability to commune with the dead and lately her spirits have been restless, warning her of a spectral predator that has been feeding on souls. With the ongoing war having claimed an untold number of lives, this monster has been gorging itself, growing stronger the more it consumes, threatening the very framework of both the mortal and ghostly realms. With all this hanging over Siora’s head, Gharek is the least of her troubles, though when the former assassin eventually catches up with her, the two find they have a common enemy and a common goal.

While I absolutely adored the first two installments in the series, sadly I can’t say I felt the same love for Raven Unveiled. To be fair, this wasn’t a bad book, but I know exactly why this one failed to enthuse me like the others did, and it comes down to the complete lack of chemistry between Siora and Gharek. Not gonna lie, it was a bit of a surprise for me, since Draven is usually pretty dependable when it comes to her romance writing. It could be as simple as being burned out by her “enemies to lovers” stories, as that’s generally the foundation for her books. Siora and Gharek’s relationship offered nothing truly exciting or surprising, and all the tension that was built up from him trying to kill her at the beginning was dispelled rather quickly whey they just decided to work together with hardly any pushback.

The story was also very dark, which you won’t normally find me complaining about. In this case, however, it does come at the expense of the romance. More plot-heavy than the other books, Raven Unveiled tells a good story, with characters who have interesting backgrounds, strong motivations, and very real problems to deal with. Neither Siora and Gharek can really catch a break with so much on their plates, yet we’re to believe the two of them still have the mental strength and energy to pursue a romance? It’s no wonder the interaction between them seemed strained, which overall made their relationship feel unconvincing to me.

That being said, the storytelling was strong, as I alluded to before. The world-building was also superb, introducing the element of Siora’s shade speaking abilities and the magic involved with it. And while reading the first two volumes isn’t a requirement, there are benefits for readers who have. Since all the books share the same world, we get to watch as it evolves and changes around the different protagonists—effects which are more often than not from the consequences of their predecessors’ actions.

Bottom line, Dragon Unveiled wasn’t the strongest of the books in Fallen Empire, not by a long shot. Still, I’d recommend it if you’ve become invested in the overall series or the setting and are curious to see how the wider story arc is developing. I’m mostly in this camp myself, though I’m also a big fan of Grace Draven’s work, and if she writes more in this series, I just hope the next romance will be more in line with my expectations.

More on The BiblioSantum:
Review of Phoenix Unbound (Book 1)
Review of Dragon Unleashed (Book 2)

Bookshelf Roundup 12/04/22: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on December 4, 2022 19 Comments

black line

Received for Review

My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

A quick update this week! Big thanks to Orbit Books for review copies of The Cuckoo by Leo Carew and The Ivory Tomb by Melissa Caruso. Both are third books of their respective series, which I’m excited to continue.

With thanks to Penguin Workshop, I also received a review copy of Deadly Hearts by Michael Burgan, a middle grade nonfiction book featuring sixteen biographies of history’s most dangerous people. My daughter snatched this one up as soon as it arrived and read it in a single evening. In case you missed it, here’s her review!

Thank you also to Tordotcom for sending me an ARC of Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh. I’ve read and enjoyed her The Greenhollow Duology, so I’m looking forward to see what this one has in store.

It’s the first week of the month so I also picked up a few new listening copies. Courtesy of Hachette Audio, I received an ALC of Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the third installment of the Children of Time series. I loved the first two books, so here’s hoping this one will also be awesome. From Macmillan Audio, I also received All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham. I adored her book A Flicker in the Dark so I am beyond excited for this! And finally, thank you to Simon & Schuster Audio for a listening copy of A History of Fear by Luke Dumas, which sounds like an intense horror thriller.

Reviews

Deadly Hearts by Michael Burgan (5 of 5 stars) (Guest Review)
Flight Risk by Cherie Priest (4 of 5 stars)
Reckoning by W. Michael Gear (4 of 5 stars)

Roundup Hightlights:

What I’ve Been Reading

Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!

Guest Review: Deadly Hearts by Michael Burgan

Posted on December 3, 2022 21 Comments

A review copy was provided by the publisher. This does not affect the contents of this review, and all opinions belong to the reviewer.

Today we have another guest review by my daughter Alexis, a fifth grader who would like to share with you her thoughts on Deadly Hearts: History’s Most Dangerous People by Michael Burgan with illustrations by Karl James Mountford. The following is her review, edited only for grammar and clarity, with my own notes added at the end.

Deadly Hearts by Michael Burgan, illustrated by Karl James Mountford

Alexis’ Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Genre: Middle Grade, History, Biography

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Penguin Workshop (December 27, 2022)

Length: 144 pages

Author Information: Website

Deadly Hearts by Michael Burgan is a history book about the world’s most dangerous people. Some are conquerors and some are mass murderers, but basically to be in this book, you have to have caused the deaths of many people. I’m usually into fiction, but when my mom asked if I wanted to read this, I said yes because it looked very interesting and gory, and I like history and dark stuff.

It didn’t turn out like I expected. It was better. The book had a lot more dangerous people in it than I thought, and there was more information than I thought. I learned a lot about history. There were sixteen biographies, some of them I’ve heard of before, others I haven’t.

For the people that were new to me, I was most fascinated by Elizabeth Bathory, who captured young girls, tortured them, and then bathed in their blood because she thought it would keep her young forever. I also liked learning about Attila the Hun, who ruled a whole empire by burning and killing his way across the continent. Before I read this book, I had also never heard of Pol Pot, who caused the deaths of millions of his own people.

I also found out a lot more about the people that I’ve already heard of, like Vlad the Impaler. I didn’t know he inspired Dracula. I’ve also heard of Alexander the Great and knew that he was a great conqueror but didn’t know that his father helped him a lot with his education and his army. My favorite historical subject is World War II, so I was also not surprised to see that Adolf Hitler was included in this book.

One thing I wish is that the biographies were a little longer. Many of them were only five or six pages long, and I wish it told you more details on how the person died. When I got curious, I had to ask my mom or look it up on my own. Did you know Robespierre was killed by guillotine which was the same way he executed others? Or that Tomas de Torquemada was one of the few people in this book who died of old age? Or that Atilla the Hun died on his wedding night by choking on his own nosebleed? This all would have been good to have in the book.

I really liked the illustrations. They were very detailed and gave me a better vision of the people and what was being described in their biographies. I don’t scare easily, or this book would have disturbed me more, but I think the level of detail was just right. It talked about the deadly things the people did, but these were mostly just a few paragraphs or so. Most of it was focused on their backgrounds and families and how they grew up and not really on gore. But I would still recommend this for more mature middle schoolers.

I liked this book so much, when I finished it I gave it to my reading and writing teacher, because I know she likes history. I give Deadly Hearts five stars.

Alexis

Note: When I showed my daughter this book, she promptly snatched it from my hands and started reading, and did not stop until she was finished which was merely a few hours later. While I’d suspected Deadly Hearts would be right up her alley, it still surprised me how much she took to this book, considering how these days she’s reading mostly fiction.

For those curious, the full list of dangerous people featured in this book is as follows: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Tomas de Torquemada, Vlad the Impaler, Hernan Cortes, Queen Mary I of England, Ivan the Terrible, Elizabeth Bathory, Maximilien Robespierre, Queen Ranavalona I of Madagascar, King Leopold II of Belgium, Adolf Hitler, Idi Amin Dada, and Pol Pot.

All the biographies were written in a style that was objective, factually driven, and meant to inform. But as you can imagine, some of the details in them can be quite dark. My daughter has always been a more mature reader, both in her personality and her reading level, so I knew she’d process the information just fine, but just be aware that although the publisher/Amazon lists the reading level of Deadly Hearts at ages 8-12, I would probably recommend this for the higher end of that range.