Book Review: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

Title: The Amalfi Curse

Author: Sarah Penner

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adult, Magical Realism

Pages: 336

Publisher: Park Row

Year Published: 2025

Format: Audiobook

"Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse...

Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artefacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven's arrival, strange malestroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father's sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman's quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano's latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever...

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea."

My Rating: 3/5

I listened to this book on audio, and I would strongly recommend this version just due to the narration style. I loved the changing perspectives and the time shifts. This one rang closer to The Lost Apothecary, which is my favourite book I've read by the author so far. All of this being said, it still lacked the original magic and the feeling of the first book I read by the author. This one, the ending felt a little disjointed and abrupt. While fun, I don't think that this one will stay with me.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna by Edith Sheffer

Title: Asperger's Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna

Author: Edith Sheffer

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Historical

Pages: 320

Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"Hans Asperger, the pioneer of autism and Asperger syndrome in Nazi Vienna, has been celebrated for his compassionate defense of children with disabilities. But in this groundbreaking book, prize-winning historian Edith Sheffer exposes that Asperger was not only involved in racial policies of Hitler's Third Reich, he was complicit in the murder of children.

As the Nazi regime slaughtered millions across Europe during World War Two, it sorted people according to race, religion, behavior, and physical condition for either treatment or elimination. Nazi psychiatrists targeted children with different kinds of minds- especially those thought to lack social skills- claiming the Reich had no place for them. Asperger and his colleagues endeavored to mold certain "autistic" children into productive citizens, while transferring others they deemed untreatable to Spiegelgrund, one of the Reich's deadliest child-killing centers.

In the first comprehensive history of the links between autism and Nazism, Sheffer uncovers how a diagnosis common today emerged from the atrocities of the Third Reich. With vivid storytelling and wide-ranging research, Asperger's Children will move readers to rethink how societies assess, label and treat those diagnosed with disabilities."

My Rating: 4/5

I don't often foray into nonfiction, but this title was curious to me. As someone who works directly with children, I wasn't familiar with this history of the autism diagnosis and how these factors played into even common-day misconceptions about autism spectrum disorder. It was harrowing to hear about the terrors that took place in these centres. Obviously, the acts during the Third Reich were atrocious and inhumane, and when we examine more aspects, we see how deep the evil continued to run. 

Sidny

Book Review: The Fade Out: Act 2

Title: The Fade Out: Act 2

Author: Ed Brubaker

Artist(s): Sean Phillips (Artist) 

Series/Standalone: The Fade Out Series (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical, Mystery

Pages: 120

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2015

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Act Two of the acclaimed Hollywood Noir from the best-selling team of Brubaker and Phillips."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This instalment felt like filler for a three-volume graphic novel series. I will be finishing the series, but I anticipated something else. It's just ok. Not something I could recommend at this current time.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Fade Out: Act One

Title: The Fade Out: Act One

Author: Ed Brubaker

Artist(s): Sean Phillips (Illustrator) & Elizabeth Breitweiser (Colourist)

Series/Standalone: The Fade Out Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mystery

Pages: 120

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2015

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Brubaker and Phillips' newest hit series, The Fade Out, is an epic noir set in the world of the noir itself, the backlots and bars of Hollywood at the end of its Golden Era. A movie stuck in endless reshoots, a writer damaged from the war and lost in the bottle, a dead movie star and the lookalike hired to replace her. Nothing is what it seems in the place where only lies are true."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was a fun introduction to the series and I liked the idea of the setting. I didn't anticipate how quick it would be to read and I wonder how quickly the writer will be able to wrap up the plot line. I'm curious about how all the characters weave together and what happens next, but overall it was just fun. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Author: Libba Bray

Series/Standalone: Gemma Doyle Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Pages: 403

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2003

Format: Audiobook (Paperback Own It)

"In this debut gothic novel mysterious visions, dark family secrets and a long-lost diary thrust Gemma and her classmates back into the horrors that followed her from India.

It's 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma's reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she's been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence's most powerful girls- and their foray into the spiritual world- lead to?"

My Rating: 1.75/5

This book was very straightforward for me. It tried to have a few mysterious plots but as someone who is older than the target demographic. The characters were very limp and the main character made me incredibly upset. The overall magic was interesting, but it was too young for me which makes total sense. I won't be continuing the series. I will try another series by Libba Bray. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn

Title: It's in His Kiss

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgerton Series (Book #7)

Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult Fiction

Pages: 384

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2005

Format: Audiobook

"IF IT'S IN HIS HEART... IT'S IN HIS KISS

MEET OUR HERO...

Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past... and the key to his future. The problem is- it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

MEET OUR HERIONEl...

All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her- something charming and vexing- that grabs him and won't quite let go....

MEET POOR MR. MOZART...

Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual- and annually discordant- Smythe-Smith musical. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other.... and that there is nothing as simple- or as complicated- as a single, perfect kiss."

My Rating: 4.25/5

I know that with these point stars, I start to get down to the nitty-gritty. But this one was really fun. I loved the hero, and I think that Hyacinth is fun to read from, but some of the plot points weren't the most enjoyable for me. I did enjoy seeing Lady Danbury in a new light and watching someone not be shamed for being an individual in a historical romance. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Title: To Sir Phillip, With Love

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgerton Series (Book #5)

Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult

Pages: 372

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2003

Format: Audiobook

"Sir Phillip knew from his correspondence with his dead wife's distant cousin that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except.... she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her....

Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking- and wondering- and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except... he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered. And he certainly should have mentioned that he had two young- and decidedly unruly- children, as much in need of a mother as Phillip is in need of a wife."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is yet another book in the Bridgerton series and they just keep getting better for me. This has got to be one of my favourites. My only complaint is how mental health was dealt with in this book. I think it was likely accurate to the time period but as someone who has struggled with depression the way the author deals with it is not enjoyable. I would recommend if you can get past that fact, but if you or someone you love has had suicidal thoughts or has committed suicide I would NOT recommend. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Daughter of Sparta by Claire M Andrews

Title: Daughter of Sparta

Author: Claire. M Andrews

Series/Standalone: Daughter of Sparta (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult

Pages: 375

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Book

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the gods need her to save the world!

Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis- who holds Daphne's brother's fate in her hands- upends the life she's worked hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus, and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother's life will be forfeit.

Guided by Artemis's twin- the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo- Daphne's journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.

A reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, Daughter of Sparta, by debut author Clair M. Andrews turns the traditional male-dominated mythology we know into a heart-pounding and empowering female-led adventure."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was an entertaining retelling, although I've never read the original I do understand its overall plotline.  I love that the author took a male-oriented perspective flipped. The characters each had a unique voice and were fascinating to read about. I liked the idea that the mythological creatures and characters were, no questions asked. Daphne is a strong woman with power that was great to read from. I was surprised to see that this is a series and I might continue on, but I would be ok if this was a standalone and just went with some questions not being answered.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me   

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgertons (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult Fiction

Pages: 354

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2000

Format: Audiobook

"1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in truth, why should he? When it comes to play the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

    -Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry- he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield- the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands- and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister- but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was really great to read after watching the most recent season of the Netflix show. It was vastly different from the show though and I would recommend reading it if you didn't enjoy the second season of the show as much as the first. This book really helped to explore the inner thoughts of both of these characters, their desires and their rationales to themselves about everything going on. Also, it has quite a different plot than the show so still worth a read even if you did enjoy the last season. I plan on continuing with the series on audiobooks as soon as possible! Would recommend it for romance fans for sure (as I'm finding out I might be one).

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

 Title: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

Author: Kate Moore

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, History

Pages: 479

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"The incredible true story of the women who fought America's Undark danger.

The Curies newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.

Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these 'shining girls' are the luckiest alive- until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.

But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for the workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.

Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the 'wonder' substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives..."

My Rating: 5/5

Other than hearing about this book a few years ago I had never heard about the Radium Girls and their lives. Considering I'm Canadian I just assumed that it was something that might be spoken more about in the American school system. So imagine my surprise when I realized that not many people know the cases of the Radium girls across America (not every state). This is such a well-written novel about the events, while still making you feel as though you knew the women. I think that this story was more about the girls themselves then the specific legal proceedings (this information is included) and based on the author's note I think that her goal was accomplished. The idea of making these women knowable, more than just what they gave to labour laws, and science. I would recommend this to anyone interested in all honesty. I would also recommend the audiobook, I loved the narrator. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

       

Title: The Bear and The Nightingale

Author: Katherine Arden

Series/Standalone: Winternight Trilogy (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical

Pages: 323

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year, and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn't mind- she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse's fairy tale. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim runway souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil. 

After Vasilisa's mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa's new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesced, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while Vasilisa's stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.

As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed- this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse's most frightening tales."

My Rating:  4/5

To preface this, I am in complete support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and while I live in Canada I acknowledge that systemic racism is deeply embedded in North American society and it is unacceptable! I may not understand, but I stand! My TBR is changing and I'm looking for diverse books written by POC, so if anyone has recommendations please leave a comment or email me! I do have some on my current TBR, but I'm open to any and all recommendations. 

This fantasy series is really taking booktube by storm over the last few months. It's truly a unique fantasy (as far as I've heard and read). This story takes place in Northern Russia, centres around Russian folklore and magic throughout a small village. The setting is beautifully described and well laid out. It helped to propel me through the story at times where I felt the story was slowing down. I will also say that our main character is interesting and independent in a time where socially that would be unacceptable. Overall, I enjoyed the story, the audiobook was well narrated, and the setting was beautifully written. I plan on continuing with the series in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1)
Pages: 326
Genre: Historical, Young Adult, Mystery
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook

"Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I thought that this audiobook would just fill time while I was doing house work or driving but it became so much more than that. I would recommend this book as a great who did it novel for anyone interested in historical thrillers. I had heard quite a bit of hype for this book going around booktube, and it was accurate to how the story played out for me. I realize that this story isn't 100% historical accurate, and that this might be a problem for some, but I didn't mind, as there is an author's note in the back of the book explaining what changes the author had made and why. I think that the characters in this book were well fleshed out and for being in a time period where young women were not looked at as powerful, it did a grand job of showing a woman who knew her purpose and planned to be taken seriously. I really enjoyed this book and plan to pick up the next book in the series as soon as possible, preferably on audio. I wanted to note for those who do chose to listen to this book on audio, I loved the narrator and think that she did a tremendous job acting out the story, and keeping the listener's attention. I'm excited to listen to more books in this series and hope to have more reviews soon.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

This is yet another audiobook that hooked me. And more than any other that I've listened to before. Our story takes place in London during the time of the Jack the Ripper murders. Our main character, Audrey takes little to no shit from anyone and works secretly with her uncle learning the about forensic science. A little strange for a young woman in such a time period. Through her work, she begins to investigate a string of murders where women are butchered in the east end, and begin to piece together who the murderer could be. Is it someone close to her?

So since you've read the book you know who it is. But were you shocked? I was a little underwhelmed at learning who the murderer was, but blown away for the reasons of the murders. I think that the author had a mesmorizing way of writing about such gruesome things that kept me interested and wondering about who the killer was, what it was like to do an autopsy in such times, and why the bodies were being butchered in such ways. The narrator for the audiobook had a tremendous voice and kept me interested throughout the story. Her accent was amazing and I would truly recommend the audiobook to anyone looking for a good thriller. Please excuse the lack of care taken in the character section, I have trouble remembering side characters names in audiobooks.

Characters:
Audrey: I had my doubts that she would be a badass main character in such a time. And while the story does a great job of showing what life was like for young women in the time period, I had trouble believing that she would be able to investigate a body for Scotland Yard. Although if she had someone who admired her who was in charge I suppose that made sense. I did think that at some points she was a bit naive and at others so peculiar. But these two things really helped tie the story together. I think that the way she cared so much for women she had only really known in death was amazing, and how although she had a certain standard for the way she was brought up she didn't look down on these young women. She wondered about the choices that had placed them where they were. I can't wait to read more from her perspective.

Thomas: Now he is a sly fox. I thought for sure that he was going to be the ripper, but after finding out about his trouble past and being thrown out by his father, his actions started to make a lot more sense. I did think there were multiple times where his choice of words were irritating especially when he acted like such a know it all (even though he was). But I can't wait to see he and Audrey flirt even more in the next book.

Nathaniel: I'd be lying if I said he wasn't a suspect for me in the beginning. I had started to brush him aside a little, but after realizing that the author didn't even seem to note him suspicious, I became extra suspicious. Cause that's what kind of anxious person I am.  He was a delusional little shit, and super scary near the end, but I wonder why he became so obsessed with raising the dead, would be interested in a prequel from his point of view.

Uncle Johnathon:  He did seem pretty crazy near the start but after time I realized that science was his family and his job, and his love. So he was devoted? Does that make him crazy... maybe a little bit. I will miss him in the next story, but wouldn't be surprised if he turned up to lend Thomas and Audrey a hand.

Father (Edmond?): He was something, and while he did not deal well with the passing of his wife (who really does?) he tried his best to raise his children in a way that he deemed appropriate. I do feel sorry for him to have seen his beloved wife's corpse being maimed by his crazed son, but at the same time it really shocked him into action for Audrey's future.

 Blackburn: When did you become interested in Audrey and what will happen to you now?

Cousin V: I liked her spunk, but also the way she dealt with the cultural norms at this time. She still obeyed her mother's will, while staying true to who she was as well. A very interesting character to say the least.


Thanks for reading,
Sidny