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12/03/2023

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #266 – Snowy 1. Advent 2023


With the Weekly Book Wrap-Up, I give you a bit of an insight into all the new books that have arrived at my place. No matter if I won a giveaway, got approved for a reviewer´s copy, an ARC, or just bought one myself. Everything that I add to my shelves, in what way ever and read during the past week or am still reading, I will write about it. And maybe I tell you a bit about the upcoming things on Inkvotary, that is if I don´t forget it and have something to share with you *smile*

I am linking up with Caffeinated Reviewer and Reading Reality and hope you´ll have fun reading it and maybe get the one or the other book inspiration.



Stacking The Shelves #266

No new books this week.





Sunday Post #223

The last week I was again busy reading books and getting some medical appointments done. I completed my GR Reading Challenge and achieved with the New Release Challenge the New Release Pro Status. And I finished the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon with two read-and-reviewed books. YAY! After all the shit this year, those are good news.




My Two Ho-Ho-Ho Reads

      
        


And how was your week?



Happy reading







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12/01/2023

A Venom Dark And Sweet-Was Uns Zusammenhält by Judy I. Lin


The cover is a dream. Well, pink is still not my color, but it works great here. And after reading part one, I naturally wanted to know how the story ends. I liked the mystical aspect, even if I often had the impression that I was looking at anime characters.


A Venom Dark And Sweet-Was Uns Zusammenhält*
by Judy I. Lin
The Book Of Tea #2
Translation Michaela Kolodziejcok
Original Title A Venom Dark And Sweet
Publisher Fischer Sauerländer on August 30, 2023
Genre Fantasy
Pages 432
Format Hardcover
Source Fischer Sauerländer
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶

The young tea magician Ning is on the run. Something evil has descended on the Kingdom of Dax, and the Exiled Prince has usurped the Dragon Throne. Together with the rightful princess of the empire, Ning is now looking for the brave and desperate to join them in order to reclaim the throne. But something else, much older than people's petty conflicts, has awakened and haunts Ning in her dreams... (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)
Story
Ning is on the run and wants to help the rightful heir to the throne. To do this, she has to find some items and bring them back to the palace. Not easy when an entire army is chasing you and an ancient force that doesn't mean anything good is spreading through you.

Style
The author has also written this second and final part of The Book of Tea Dilogy in a powerful and opulent manner. Judy I. Lin guides the reader through a wonderful landscape and scenes that are simply beautiful at a quick reading pace. What I particularly enjoyed was the fact that the plot followed seamlessly from the end of the first book and I was quickly back in the action.

Characters
A wide variety of characters are played off against each other here. The author shows fascinating characteristics of the individual characters. Not all successful, but certainly profound.

Ning has to prove her innocence. But she can only do this if she can get certain items and then use them in the palace. The way she does it is nice to watch, even though she always remained a bit strange to me and I did not really get access to her.


Conclusion
An opulent, visually stunning novel that I found almost better than its predecessor. The author takes the reader into a foreign realm and shows a fascinating culture that is delightful to look at and yet somehow remains strange and distant. Just read it for yourself and form your own opinion.



Happy reading

*Fischer Sauerländer kindly provided me this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. 


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Sprachgewaltig und sehr opulent hat die Autorin auch diesen zweiten und letzten Teil der The Book of Tea Dilogie verfasst. Dabei führt Judy I. Lin den Leser im zügigen Lesetempo durch eine herrliche Landschaft und Szenen, die einfach nur wunderschön sind. Was mich besonders erfreute, war die Tatsache, dass die Handlung nahtlos an das Ende vom ersten Buch anknüpfte und ich so wieder schnell im Geschehen war.

Charaktere
Die unterschiedlichsten Figuren werden hier gegeneinander ausgespielt. Dabei zeigt die Autorin faszinierende Eigenschaften der einzelnen Charaktere. Nicht alle gelungen, aber durchaus tiefgründig.

Ning muss ihre Unschuld beweisen. Das kann sie aber nur, wenn sie bestimmte Gegenstände an sich bringen und diese dann im Palast einsetzen kann. Die Art, wie sie das macht, ist schön zu beobachten, auch wenn sie mir immer etwas fremd blieb und ich keinen richtigen Zugang zu ihr bekam.


Resultat
Ein opulenter, bildgewaltiger Roman, den ich fast besser fand als den Vorgänger. Die Autorin entführt den Leser in ein fremdes Reich und zeigt eine faszinierende Kultur, die reizvoll anzuschauen ist und doch irgendwie fremd und distanziert bleibt. Einfach selbst lesen und eigenes Urteil bilden.



Judy I. Lin
Judy I. Lin ©Aaron Perkins





Judy I. Lin, New York Times bestselling author of the Book Of Tea duology, was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family as a young girl, where she still lives with her husband and daughters. As a child, whenever she could, she stuck her nose in a book and escaped into their imaginary worlds. Today she works as an occupational therapist by day and creates her own fantasy worlds at night.


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11/30/2023

Gameshow-Das Versprechen Von Glück by Franzi Kopka


The final volume was a bit better than expected. The cover is in the style of part one. But this novel didn't really blow me away either. I'm torn, to say it frankly. But one thing is certain. I was happy about the happy ending. Despite all the suffering, the many deaths, and the pathological hunger for more, this brought light to the story.


Gameshow-Das Versprechen Von Glück*
by Franzi Kopka
Gameshow #2
Publisher Fischer Sauerländer on October 11, 2023
Genre Fantasy
Pages 428
Format Hardcover
Source Fischer Sauerländer
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶½


Nobody can win this game.
Cass learned the truth about the game show and decides to fight on the side of the Resistance. But the plan to overthrow the perfidious system of game masters is more than risky. In addition to the constant danger of being discovered, Cass realizes that fatal games are also being played outside the arenas. And soon she has to ask herself whether she trusts the right people. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)
Story
Cass is horrified. At the end of the big party, the winners face not freedom, but death. Nothing is as it seems and yet she has to believe in the good. That the White Zone exists. And that Jax and the others will make it.

Style
The story goes through the story at a quick reading pace. The author describes her scenes in a clear, simple way and the dialogue is quick-witted. The plot is sometimes really brutal. And since Cass is now officially dead, she mostly stays with Flannery in the bunker. The author shows her everyday life there in a lively and varied way. And the end, when the plan is put into action, was quite interesting.

Characters
Everyone's fight against the Gamemasters is in full swing and the author shows how Cass, Jax, and Val, and their friends fight back against the most powerful of them all. Long-held secrets are revealed, and Cass wonders once again why Flannery keeps asking about her health. For a long time, it was not clear to her that she played a central role in his plan and that he had to protect a dangerous past.


Conclusion
Much more gripping and varied than the first part. Anyone who likes the novels by Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth or Kendare Blake will also find themselves well entertained here. With her final tape of the Gameshow, Franzi Kopka delivered a fantastic conclusion with a happy ending factor. Wonderful head cinema included.



Happy reading

*Fischer Sauerländer kindly provided me this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. This book was, at the time this review was published, only available in the German language.


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Im zügigen Lesetempo geht es durch die Handlung. Die Autorin beschreibt auf klare, einfache Weise ihre Szenen und die Dialoge sind schlagfertig. Der Plot ist teilweise richtig brutal. Und da Cass nun offiziell als tot gilt, hält sie sich hauptsächlich bei Flannery im Bunker auf. Die Autorin zeigt ihren Alltag dort auf lebendige und abwechslungsreiche Weise. Und das Ende, als der Plan in die Tat umgesetzt wird, war schon interessant.

Charaktere
Der Kampf aller gegen die Gamemaster ist in vollem Gange und die Autorin zeigt, wie Cass, Jax und Val mit ihren Freunden gegen den mächtigsten von allen zur Wehr setzen. Dabei werden lange gewahrte Geheimnisse aufgedeckt und Cass fragt sich einmal mehr, warum Flannery sich ständig nach ihrem Befinden erkundigt. Dass sie eine zentrale Rolle in seinem Plan spielt und er eine gefährliche Vergangenheit schützen muss, ist ihr lange Zeit nicht klar.


Resultat
Viel packender und abwechslungsreicher als der erste Teil. Wer die Romane von Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth oder Kendare Blake mag, der wird sich hier ebenfalls gut unterhalten fühlen. Franzi Kopka hat mit ihrem finalen Band der Gameshow einen grandiosen Abschluss mit Happy End Faktor geliefert. Herrliches Kopfkino inklusive.



Franzi Kopka
Franzi Kopka ©Michelle Maessen





Franzi Kopka was born in 1990 as the daughter of a bookseller. Thanks to the numerous novels in the house, she grew up wondering »what if« and started making up stories for her three younger siblings at an early age. She finds most of her inspiration when she travels, especially in London, which is her true love, and which is the setting of her debut »Gameshow – The Price of Greed«.


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11/27/2023

Ein Geheimnis Im Schnee by Viola Shipman


It's always a good idea to read a Viola Shipman novel. The books are always about family, feelings, and nature. And this time it was a very moving and particularly touching story. I read my way through pages where I shed some tears, others where I smiled at the situation Amberrose found herself in, and others where I savored the beauty of the moment. Never let anyone tell you again that a man cannot write emotional novels. Because Wade Rouse aka Viola Shipman can. The Secret Of Snow proves it!


Ein Geheimnis Im Schnee*
by Viola Shipman
Translation Anita Nirschl
Original Title The Secret Of Snow
Publisher Fischer TB on September 27, 2023
Genre Novel
Pages 403
Format Paperback
Source Fischer TB
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶✶


Reluctantly, Southern California meteorologist Sonny Dunes returns to the long, cold, snowy winter of northern Michigan... with the added humiliation of moving back in with her mother. Sonny is no longer an outsider like she used to be, but she's not a local either, and her past catches up with her everywhere: from the school friends she alienated, to the former journalist colleague who is now her boss, to the tragic reason for her departure from home. If Sonny ever wants to be here at home again, she needs to make peace with her former self and listen to her heart. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)
Story
Sonny moves back to Michigan. Her new job takes her back to her beginnings, and she has to do a lot of humiliating things. But she pulls through and starts standing up for herself again. To rediscover life. Does she also have time for Mason? Or the courage to admit her feelings?

Style
Viola Shipman writes in a very poignant and moving way about Amberrose and her little sister Joncee. I could literally hear the little girl giggling happily at some points, even if the author didn't write about it in one scene. Together with all the memories and experiences that Amberrose experiences every day at work, whether in the office or in the great outdoors, a completely successful, touching story is told here. The pain of all those who are still left of a family and live with it as best as possible was sensitively portrayed and yet clearly noticeable.

Characters
Sonny is used to being stared at by strangers. But I found the fact that strangers were looking through the hedge at her just to watch her sunbathing by the pool a bit irritating. In general, Amberrose, as Sonny's real name is, is an unusual woman. She doesn't mince her words, offends, is great at her job and otherwise prefers to hide away. Sonny is terrified of losing control. So, she doesn't give herself or others a chance right from the start. The more I got to know her, the more compassion I felt for her. And the constant shaking of her legs – God, it annoyed me after a while! A lovingly meant tic from her mother that had the complete opposite effect on me. Sorry.


Conclusion
One of the most beautiful winter novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The story still resonates with me. Viola Shipman writes very sensitively, and her words have a very special magic to them. I was moved to tears and very moved and thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredibly personal story.



Happy reading







*Fischer TB kindly provided me this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Viola Shipman schreibt auf sehr ergreifende und bewegende Weise über Amberrose und deren kleine Schwester Joncee. Ich konnte an so mancher Stelle das kleine Mädchen buchstäblich fröhlich kichern hören, selbst wenn die Autorin in einer Szene darüber nicht geschrieben hat. Zusammen mit den ganzen Erinnerungen und Erlebnissen die Amberrose tagtäglich auf der Arbeit, ob im Büro oder in der freien Natur erlebt, wird hier eine rundherum gelungene rührende Geschichte erzählt. Der Schmerz all derjenigen, die von einer Familie noch übrig sind und so gut wie möglich damit leben, war feinfühlig dargestellt und dennoch deutlich spürbar.

Charaktere
Sonny ist es gewohnt, von Fremden angestarrt zu werden. Das Fremde ihr aber durch die Hecke gucken, nur um sie beim Sonnenbaden am Pool zu beobachten, das fand ich dann doch etwas irritierend. Überhaupt ist Amberrose, wie Sonny eigentlich heißt, eine ungewöhnliche Frau. Sie nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund, eckt an, ist spitze in ihrem Job und möchte sich ansonsten aber am liebsten verkriechen. Sonny hat Angst vorm Leben davor, die Kontrolle zu verlieren. Also gibt sie sich und anderen schon von Anfang an keine Chance. Je mehr ich sie kennenlernen durfte, umso mehr Mitleid hatte ich mit ihr. Und dieses ewige Schütteln ihrer Beine – Himmel hat mich das nach einiger Zeit genervt! Ein liebevoll gemeinter Tick ihrer Mutter, der bei mir das glatte Gegenteil bewirkt hat. Sorry.


Resultat
Einer der schönsten winterlichen Romane, die ich je das Vergnügen hatte, lesen zu dürfen. Die Geschichte klingt noch immer in mir nach. Viola Shipman schreibt sehr gefühlvoll und ihren Worten liegt ein ganz besonderer Zauber inne. Ich war zu Tränen gerührt und sehr bewegt und bedanke mich von Herzen für diese unglaublich persönliche Geschichte.











*This book was published in the English language by Graydon House on October 26, 2021



Wade Rouse
Wade Rouse ©John Quiri


Viola Shipman is a pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular, award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, to honor the woman whose charm bracelet and family stories inspired him to write his debut novel, which is a tribute to all of our elders. Rouse lives in Michigan and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other places, and is a contributor to All Things Considered.


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11/26/2023

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #265 – Still Busy Reading Books


With the Weekly Book Wrap-Up, I give you a bit of an insight into all the new books that have arrived at my place. No matter if I won a giveaway, got approved for a reviewer´s copy, an ARC, or just bought one myself. Everything that I add to my shelves, in what way ever and read during the past week or am still reading, I will write about it. And maybe I tell you a bit about the upcoming things on Inkvotary, that is if I don´t forget it and have something to share with you *smile*

I am linking up with Caffeinated Reviewer and Reading Reality and hope you´ll have fun reading it and maybe get the one or the other book inspiration.



Stacking The Shelves #265

No new books this week.





Sunday Post #222

The last week I was busy reading books. Wherever I go, a book is with me. I got into a heavy rain shower while walking on Black Friday to a shoe shop, but I got my winter boots for half the price. In the evening I watched for the last time Wetten, dass. A show I grew up with. It was very emotional. And to see Cher sitting on the couch listening to one of her songs sung by a German actor and accompanied by guitar was very moving. And today, yes, I am doing this a bit briefly, I linked up a HoHoHoRAT review and the jigsaws I solved a few days ago over at Maureen´s Book Blog.




Current Ho-Ho-Ho Read




And how was your week?



Happy reading

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11/22/2023

Winterglücksträume by Sue Moorcroft


Sue Moorcroft, YOU ROCK! Well, the cover is way too pink and tacky for my taste, but the novel between the book covers is simply phenomenally good! I'm excited. I laughed and cried so many tears. I could have slapped a certain person left and right while I would have liked to see more of the Pup quiz. The rest of the novel presented one great scene after the other and at the end, it was one big happy Christmas. Thank you for the fantastic reading pleasure.


Winterglücksträume*
by Sue Moorcroft
Translation Tanja Hamer
Original Title A White Christmas On Winter Street
Publisher Fischer TB on September 27, 2023
Genre Novel
Pages 456
Format Paperback
Source Fischer TB
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶✶


When Sky quits her job, she buys a house in Middledip. She had her best Christmas in the village. She wants to rearrange her life and is looking forward to a quiet celebration. But the residents are in the middle of preparing for the Christmas lights competition. Sky also has to make her house and garden shine in a brilliant sea of lights. She gets help from the attractive Daz, who she soon sees as more than a neighbor. As the two get closer, Daz's ex-girlfriend shows up. Will a Christmas fairy tale come true for Sky in the snowy Middledip? (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)
Story
The moment Sky sits in the auction house and the corner house is auctioned off; Sky knows that she absolutely has to have the house. All of her positive memories lie there, and her foster mother, Nan Heather, is the epitome of what a loving mother is to her. When she can finally call it her own, she moves in and begins to live her dream of owning her own home.

Style
The writing style is simple and simple. The feelings between the lines are highly emotional, disturbing and sometimes very desperate. And the moment when the main character finally sits in the auction house and buys a house that her boss actually wanted was the best moment for me up to that point. I couldn't help but laugh at that. From then on, the author fires off fireworks not only of emotions, but also of delicious scenes and dialogues that have it all. I didn't know Sue Moorcroft could write like that!

Characters
From a fraudster to a complaining old woman to a clever eleven-year-old boy, there is everything the character box has to offer. And Sky, the main character, tops everything.

Sky didn't have an easy childhood. Her mother was an alcoholic and so Sky quickly learned about the negative sides of life. At sixteen she left home and was placed in foster care. One of them was Nan Heather and it was there that Sky experienced something like a normal family life for the first time in her life. Including a nice Christmas. Sky remembered all of this when she bought the corner house at auction. I was impressed by the way she approached the renovation sustainably and with enthusiasm. How she lives her principles and starts making friends.


Conclusion
Great Christmas novel! I am absolutely thrilled. Depending on the situation, I suffered along with the characters, cheered along or laughed along with them. The author conjures up scenes and images on the paper, just great. For me, this is the author's best novel to date. Both in terms of rating and content.



Happy reading

*Fischer TB kindly provided me this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Der Schreibstil ist einfach und simple. Die Gefühle zwischen den Zeilen sind hochemotional, aufwühlend und manchmal auch sehr verzweifelt. Und der Moment, als die Hauptfigur endlich im Auktionshaus sitzt, und ein Haus ersteigert, dass eigentlich ihr Chef haben wollte, war für mich der bis dahin beste Augenblick. Da konnte ich mir ein Lachen nicht verkneifen. Ab da feuert die Autorin ein Feuerwerk nicht nur an Emotionen ab, sondern auch an köstlichen Szenen und Dialogen, dass es in sich hat. Ich wusste gar nicht, dass Sue Moorcroft so schreiben kann!

Charaktere
Da gibt es vom Betrüger über eine meckernde alte Frau bis hin zum pfiffigen elfjährigen Jungen an Figuren alles, was die Charakterkiste zu bieten hat. Und Sky, die Hauptfigur, toppt alles.

Sky hatte keine leichte Kindheit. Ihre Mutter war Alkoholikerin und so lernte Sky schnell die negativen Seiten des Lebens kennen. Mit sechzehn zog sie von daheim weg und kam zu Pflegefamilien. Eine davon war Nan Heather und dort lernte Sky zum ersten Mal in ihrem Leben so etwas wie ein normales Familienleben kennen. Inklusive eines schönen Weihnachtsfests. All das hat Sky in Erinnerung, als sie das Eckhaus ersteigert. Mich hat die Art begeistert, wie sie nachhaltig und mit Elan an die Renovierung herangeht. Wie sie ihre Prinzipien lebt und dabei anfängt, sich Freunde zuzulegen.


Resultat
Großartiger Weihnachtsroman! Ich bin absolut begeistert. Je nach Situation hab ich mit den Figuren mitgelitten, mitgefiebert oder mitgelacht. Die Autorin zaubert Szenen und Bilder auf das Papier, einfach nur klasse. Für mich der bislang beste Roman der Autorin. Sowohl vom Rating her als auch inhaltlich.

 









*This book was published in the English language by Avon on October 27, 2022 



Sue Moorcroft
Sue Moorcroft ©private


Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times and internationally bestselling author of contemporary fiction and reached the coveted Number 1 spot on Amazon Kindle UK with THE CHRISTMAS PROMISE. She's won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Readers Best Romantic Read Award, and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She writes contemporary fiction of life and love and is a past Vice-Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and editor of its short story anthologies. Her novels, short stories, serials, and columns have appeared around the world. She has created writing courses for the London School of Journalism and DigitalSea and is the author of a writing guide. An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta, and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a typesetter, but is pleased to have wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.


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2023 New Release Challenge, A White Christmas on Winter Street, Avon, Christmas novel, Fischer TB, Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon 2023, Novel, Review, sliderpost, Sue Moorcroft, Winterglücksträume
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11/21/2023

Dark Sigils-Wie Die Dunkelheit Befiehlt by Anna Benning


I might not be as thrilled about the story and plot, but the wonderful cover design thrills me very much. This time the story was successful for me only in places. It was average, mixed with some enjoyable reading. Some characters were convincing while others were not. And as far as Adam is concerned, it can't get any colder. A pity.


Dark Sigils-Wie Die Dunkelheit Befiehlt*
by Anna Benning
Dark Sigils Trilogy #2
Publisher Fischer KJB on May 24, 2023
Genre Urban-Fantasy
Pages 489
Format Hardcover
Source Fischer KJB
Goodreads
✶✶✶½


The Dark Sigils are the most powerful artifacts ever forged. But in exchange for their magic, they take everything from us - our own freedom and the chance to love who we want. My only hope is to join the rebels in reaching the mysterious eighth Dark Sigil. Only with his help will I be able to determine my own life. But the path there is dangerous... and I don't know if Adam will let me go. For he knows the darkness that will take over the world if the sigil bearers resist their fate. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary)
Story
Rayne wants to be free from her Dark Sigil. She wants to decide how to live and whom she can love. Not an ancient artifact. But Adam wants the world to remain the way the world always was. And if that means leaving Rayne in the cold, so be it.

Style
From the start, the story was a bit boring. I couldn't befriend the ice-cold Adam, and everything remained strangely distant. Anna Benning's writing style was clear and easy to read, but the amount of filler was a bit too much for me. The novel would have clearly gained more with significantly fewer pages. And what is suggested at the very end, that Adam no longer has a connection to Rayne and that she is supposed to become something that she doesn't actually want, seemed artificial to me. And yet I felt a strange pleasure while reading it. One or two chapters were quite entertaining.

Characters
This time I didn't warm to the characters. Adam is cold-hearted, Rayne clearly struggles with this and when Adam finally brutally loses his connection to Rayne during the plot and another character appears on the field, I am a bit confused. The fact that Adam has his own plans for Rayne and himself at the very end also didn't make sense to me.


Conclusion
I oscillate between a strange enthusiasm for reading and slight disappointment. It was a strange mishmash of confused story, ice-cold characters, and a plot that didn't entirely make sense. And I absolutely didn't like what the author did with Adam and Rayne.



Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer KJB in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. The book was at the time this review was published, only available in the German language.


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Von Beginn an war die Story etwas langweilig. Ich konnte mich mit dem eiskalten Adam nicht anfreunden und alles blieb auf eigenartige Weise auf Distanz. Der Schreibstil von Anna Benning war zwar klar und einfach zu lesen, aber das viele Füllmaterial war mir eine Nummer zu viel. Der Roman hätte mit deutlich weniger Seiten eindeutig mehr gewonnen. Und was sich ganz am Ende andeutet, dass Adam keine Verbindung mehr zu Rayne hat und sie etwas werden soll, was sie eigentlich gar nicht will, das kam mir künstlich vor. Und dennoch hab ich beim Lesen ein seltsames Vergnügen verspürt. Das eine oder andere Kapitel war dann doch recht unterhaltsam.

Charaktere
Diesmal bin ich mit den Figuren nicht warm geworden. Adam ist kaltherzig, Rayne hat damit sichtlich zu kämpfen und als Adam im Handlungsverlauf schließlich die Verbindung zu Rayne auf brutale Weise verliert und eine weitere Figur auf dem Spielfeld auftaucht, war ich etwas verwirrt. Auch die Tatsache, dass Adam ganz zum Schluss sehr eigene Pläne für Rayne und sich hat, war für mich nicht ganz logisch.


Resultat
Ich schwanke zwischen seltsamer Lesebegeisterung und leichter Enttäuschung. Das war ein eigenartiger Mischmasch aus konfuser Geschichte, eiskalten Figuren und einem nicht ganz logischen Plot. Und was die Autorin mit Adam und Rayne gemacht hat, dass hat mir absolut nicht gefallen.



Anna Benning
Anna Benning ©Viktoria Van Evert / Luma Photography





Anna Benning was born in 1988, the youngest of three children. While studying literature, she wrote book reviews for a magazine and also worked in a bookshop. She has been a publisher's editor since 2013. One day she took heart and put her own stories on paper. "Vortex" is her debut.


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2023 New Release Challenge, Anna Benning, Dark Sigils Trilogy, Dark Sigils Wie Die Dunkelheit Befiehlt, Fischer KJB, Review, sliderpost, Urban Fantasy
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11/20/2023

Solartopia-Am Anfang Der Welt by Victoria Hume


It was the cover design, that had caught my eye from the beginning. And with the combination of an interesting-sounding summary, I asked for this book. I can´t tell you what my expectation was, besides of getting a good story to read. But while reading it, I discovered that I didn´t get emotionally involved with neither the plot nor the story itself. But as always, read the novel yourself and see how you think about it.


Solartopia-Am Anfang Der Welt*
by Victoria Hume
Solartopia Dilogy #1
Translation Katrin Segerer
Original Title Turris
Publisher Fischer KJB on October 25, 2023
Genre Future Fiction
Pages 307
Format Hardcover
Source Fischer KJB
Goodreads
✶✶✶½

For as long as she can remember, sixteen-year-old Nova has lived with her best friend Finn in Turris, a huge, once luxurious high-rise building. Far below there is nothing but toxic smog. At the top of the tower, however, they are self-sufficient thanks to their roof garden. But when the toxic fog creeps up the tower and Nova's garden begins to die, she knows: they must leave Turris. On a life-threatening journey, Nova realizes that what she knows about the world is not true. She and Finn discover Solartopia, a futuristic metropolis where people seem to live in harmony with technology and nature. Together with the young pilot Jett, they uncover the secret of Solartopia - and unleash a battle that could destroy the last remnants of humanity.
Story
Nova can hear plants and flowers. She knows exactly what they need to flourish and does everything to keep them alive and in a good relationship with her. But then, the toxic smog starts to come closer, and Nova has to leave the high-rise building, she calls home. And gets to know the world in a way, she had never thought she would.

Style
The story has a very long run-up before anything actually happens. And so, I didn't get emotionally into the novel for a long time. Sure, the idea of botany and how Nova lives with plants and uses her unusual gifts is fascinating. But the plot didn't really blow me away. It's only in the last third that the author practically opens up her bag of tricks and sets off a firework display of action and great ideas that really excited me. I am only mentioning the home, where Euly lived. That scene was a blast. If the author had done this from the beginning, it would have been an absolute top rating. So, my opinion is only a bit above average, no matter what I think about the environmental component, the author brings toward the end of the story and plot.

Victoria Hume's language style is sluggish and creates a very gloomy mood, despite the protagonist's cheerful singing. The writing style is easy to read and kept simple, but unfortunately, it doesn't really captivate you.

Characters
The author plays with the reader for a long time when it comes to the character of Finn. Only in the last third of the novel does it become clear that Nova is struggling with her psyche and has literally gotten herself into something because of sheer loneliness. This was presented very well for the twelve-year-old age group and the topic was well resolved.


Conclusion
I feel like many other readers of this novel. The story isn't really mine, but it doesn't really leave me alone either. A lot of things don't make sense for a long time before the author literally sets off a fireworks display of action and events in the last third, and all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose. Even now, as I type these lines, I'm not sure whether I found that to be a good thing or not. But one thing I do know is that the environmental component that Victoria Hume addresses here is incredibly interesting.



Happy reading








*This book was kindly provided to me by Fischer KJB in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you.


Deutsche Rezension

Stil
Die Geschichte hat einen sehr langen Vorlauf, ehe überhaupt was passiert. Und entsprechend bin ich gefühlsmäßig lange nicht in den Roman hineingekommen. Sicher, die Idee mit der Botanik und wie Nova mit den Pflanzen lebt, ihre ungewöhnliche Gabe einsetzt, ist faszinierend. Aber wirklich umgehauen hat mich der Plot nicht. Erst im letzten Drittel öffnet die Autorin praktische ihre Trickkiste und zündet ein Feuerwerk an Action und großartigen Ideen ab, die mich richtig begeistert haben. Hätte die Autorin das von Beginn an gemacht, wäre es ein absolutes Spitzenrating geworden.

Victoria Humes Sprachstil ist träge und erzeugt eine sehr trübe Stimmung, trotz der fröhlichen Singerei der Protagonistin. Zwar ist der Schreibstil gut zu lesen und einfach gehalten, aber wirklich mitreißen tut er leider nicht.

Charaktere
Über lange Zeit spielt die Autorin mit dem Leser, was die Figur des Finn angeht. Erst im letzten Drittel des Romans wird klar, dass Nova hier mit ihrer Psyche zu kämpfen hat und sich buchstäblich in etwas hineingesteigert hat vor lauter Einsamkeit. Das war für die Altersgruppe der Zwölfjährigen sehr gut dargestellt und von der Thematik her gut gelöst worden.


Resultat
Mir geht es wie so manch anderem Leser dieses Romans. Die Geschichte ist nicht wirklich meine, lässt mich aber auch nicht wirklich los. Vieles ergibt über lange Zeit keinen Sinn, ehe die Autorin dann im letzten Drittel buchstäblich ein Feuerwerk an Action und Ereignissen abbrennt und urplötzlich die Hölle los ist. Selbst jetzt, wo ich diese Zeilen tippe, bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob ich das als gut empfunden habe oder nicht. Aber eins weiß ich, die Umweltkomponente, die Victoria Hume hier anspricht, die ist unglaublich interessant.



Victoria Hume
Victoria Hume ©private






Victoria Hume was named one of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Undiscovered Voices of the Year in 2022. She is an ecologist and can therefore often be found in the wilds of England. Her love of nature gives her stories a special emotional depth. She lives in Brighton with her husband and son. The “Solartopia” two-parter is her debut.


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2023 New Release Challenge, Fischer KJB, Future Fiction, Review, sliderpost, Solartopia Am Anfang Der Welt, Solartopia Dilogy, Victoria Hume
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11/19/2023

Weekly Book Wrap-Up #264 – Busy Reading Books


With the Weekly Book Wrap-Up, I give you a bit of an insight into all the new books that have arrived at my place. No matter if I won a giveaway, got approved for a reviewer´s copy, an ARC, or just bought one myself. Everything that I add to my shelves, in what way ever and read during the past week or am still reading, I will write about it. And maybe I tell you a bit about the upcoming things on Inkvotary, that is if I don´t forget it and have something to share with you *smile*

I am linking up with Caffeinated Reviewer and Reading Reality and hope you´ll have fun reading it and maybe get the one or the other book inspiration.




Stacking The Shelves #264

New book arrived.


Review Copy

     
                           
The left cover is showing the one of the German edition. The right one is that of the US edition. 





Sunday Post #221

I am in a panic. I´ve still got eight books to read, including my current read but the year has only six weeks left for me to do so. Yep, each of those books is a review copy, so yes, they need to be read and reviewed this year… So, I am reading almost every free minute, writing my reviews at the weekend, and literally stopped taking care of the garden, visiting blogs, or doing other things. At least for the moment.




Current Ho-Ho-Ho Read




And how was your week?



Happy reading

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Vi
I am an avid reader, book blogger, and painter who loves to talk and write about books. A day without one in my hands is a wasted one. Skilled florist with a degree in writing - oh yes, that works! I like many genres, but horror is nothing for me. Here on Inkvotary I will show my love for books, things that move me and what´s going on off the blog - called life. The personal as well as life in general.

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