Friday Mini Reviews #10 - A Need So Beautiful, The Book of Madness and Cures & Shadow and Bone

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A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young (A Need So Beautiful #1)

won from Angel Booktopia

Synopsis from Goodreads

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten...

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.

Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK

8.5/10

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I admit if I thought for a moment that this would be an average angel paranormal YA, I ate my hat. It was strong, gripping and at times sad. There was no instalove, but the heroine had to fight to save her established relationship with her longstanding boyfriend among her awakened supernatural abilities. That alone sets this particular book apart. Definitely recommended.

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С удивлением обнаружила, что эта книга не очередной паранормальный кидалт для подростков, а вполне сильная и грустная история в стиле Брайони Пирс о девушке, изо всех сил борющейся против открывающихся у неё сверхъестественных способностей, заставляющих всех кто её знает забыть о ней. Одно то, что у Шарлотты есть давний и очень любимый ею бойфренд, за которого она отчаянно борется через всю книгу уже огромный плюс в моей книге. Читайте, особенно если ищете отличный подростковый фикшн.

The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads

Dr. Gabriella Mondini, a strong-willed, young Venetian woman, has followed her father in the path of medicine. She possesses a singleminded passion for the art of physick, even though, in 1590, the male-dominated establishment is reluctant to accept a woman doctor. So when her father disappears on a mysterious journey, Gabriella's own status in the Venetian medical society is threatened. Her father has left clues--beautiful, thoughtful, sometimes torrid, and often enigmatic letters from his travels as he researches his vast encyclopedia, The Book of Diseases.

After ten years of missing his kindness, insight, and guidance, Gabriella decides to set off on a quest to find him--a daunting journey that will take her through great university cities, centers of medicine, and remote villages across Europe. Despite setbacks, wary strangers, and the menaces of the road, the young doctor bravely follows the clues to her lost father, all while taking notes on maladies and treating the ill to supplement her own work.

Gorgeous and brilliantly written, and filled with details about science, medicine, food, and madness, THE BOOK OF MADNESS AND CURES is an unforgettable debut.

 Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond(£4.69)

8.5/10

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The Book of Madness and Cures is meant to be savoured slowly. It's very quirky, at times strange and absolutely lovely. Gabriella is a strong and lonely woman fighting against convention and travelling through a lot of countries in search of her missing father. It's very atmospheric, sometimes scary, but mostly melancholic. Really enjoyed it. Great historical fiction!

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Очень мне понравилась эа экцентричная и немного меланхоличная книга о Габриэлле - венецианском докторе, путешествующей через всю Европу и добирающуюся до Андалузии в поисках исчезнувшего отца. Прекрасная и мрачная атмосфера суеверной глуши, мракобесия и уставшей женщины, борющейся против устоявшего мнения, что те женщины, что могут лечить - ведьмы. Советую.

 Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha #1)

gifted by Ellie

Synopsis from Goodreads

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

 8/10

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I've been putting off reading this book, peeps, afraid of all the publicity surrounding it, plus it has very screwed bits of pseudo-Russian cultural references which I thought would piss me off. That said, surprisingly I've enjoyed it even if I did not agree with a secondary love interest sprung out of nowhere. The series needs work, but there is really good potential here, it's and exciting and fast paced YA fantasy. Thumbs up!

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Несмотря на моё нежелание читать нашумевшую книгу от Ли Бардуго с псевдо-русскими культурными ассоциациями, на моё удивление книга мне понравилась. Да, я не согласна со второстепенным любовным интересом, который в этой книге был как пятое колесо, но потенциал у автора чувствуется, книга читается легко и быстро, и я надеюсь, что продолжение будет ещё сильнее. Так что, рекомендую.