⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kristina McMorris has a gift for blending history and heart, and her latest novel, The Girls of Good Fortune, digs deep. Set in 1888 Portland, the story opens in the city’s infamous Shanghai Tunnels, where Celia, a young woman of mixed heritage, awakens in a drugged haze, disguised and imprisoned. She’s about to be shipped off as forced labor—shanghaied into a nightmare that pulls no punches. Celia’s struggle to piece together how she ended up there takes readers on a twisting journey through corruption, injustice, and survival. As a half-Chinese woman passing as white in a time of deep anti-Chinese sentiment, her very existence is a balancing act. The […]
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A Parade of Hedonism I Regret Marching In
⭐️⭐️ I don’t say this lightly: I loathed this book. Macallister’s writing is fine—it’s her subject that’s the problem. Aimee Crocker is about as appealing as a hangover. A real-life Gilded Age heiress, she indulges in everything: sex (threesome included), booze, drugs, the occult, and all things paranormal. There’s no emotional arc, no humility, and not a shred of remorse. Just page after page of debauchery wrapped in arrogance. I kept waiting for some glimmer of depth or self-awareness, but it came too late. Even the supporting cast felt like a lineup of deplorables. Yes, themes of female autonomy and rebellion peek through, but they’re buried under so much indulgence […]
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The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
In The Demon of Unrest, Erik Larson dives into the chaotic five months between Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election and the outbreak of the Civil War, with the focus squarely on Fort Sumter. Larson brings his trademark depth to the narrative, weaving together perspectives from key figures like Major Robert Anderson, a conflicted Union officer, and Mary Chesnut, a Southern diarist grappling with slavery and societal roles. Drawing from diaries, letters, and historical documents, Larson delivers a richly detailed account of how miscommunications and inflamed egos pushed the nation to the brink. That said, this book didn’t quite land for me. While the level of detail is impressive, I found it […]
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The Soaring Journey of Bessie Coleman
Carole Hopson’s debut novel takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the life of Bessie Coleman, a pioneering aviatrix who pursued freedom in the skies when such aspirations were daunting for a Black woman. Set in early 20th-century America, this riveting tale spans from Texas cotton fields to the heights of European skies, exploring themes of perseverance and identity. Hopson’s vivid storytelling brings to life young Bessie’s first glimpse of an airplane, sparking her relentless drive to fly. Despite societal norms and racial barriers, Bessie’s determination leads her from Chicago’s segregated streets to France’s flight schools. The depth of Hopson’s research enriches the story, particularly through Bessie’s relationships with supporters […]
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