Three cheers and a round of applause for The Square of Sevens!
This twisty historical fiction novel takes place in eighteenth century England. Our mainThree cheers and a round of applause for The Square of Sevens!
This twisty historical fiction novel takes place in eighteenth century England. Our main character is Red, a girl who travels the countryside with her father, the two of them telling fortunes for money and never staying in one place long. When her father falls ill, he asks a kind gentleman to take his daughter in after he dies, explaining that her mother was a lady and he wishes her to be raised as one as well. The man balks at first; surely there is family who can look after her? But the answer comes that her father has no family, and her mother's family does not know she exists, and must never know.
Years later, sixteen year old Red is filled with curiosity to know who her mother was. She finds some hints in the belongings her father left behind, and comes to believe her mother was part of the wealthy De Lacy family of British high society. Her father probably only said what he did about it being dangerous for them to learn of her existence in order to persuade her guardian to take her into his care…right?
The De Lacys are a family at war with one another, in the midst of years of legal proceedings arguing who the rightful heir to the family fortune is. Red coming in and announcing herself as the late patriarch's oldest grandchild is going to look like she is lying for the sake of putting in a claim of her own. So Red keeps her true identity hidden while infiltrating her own family, searching for proof to offer them in order for them to accept that she is actually one of them.
I enjoy family sagas and love court intrigue and machinations in my books, and this was a combination of these things. The story reaches from the fortune teller tents of county fairs to the grand estates of nobility. While attempting to uncover proof of her legitimacy as a De Lacy, Red digs up plenty of other dark family secrets as well. And I loved every minute of it!
AND THEN…I think my jaw literally dropped with the final reveal of many. I mean, this is historical fiction, not a psychological thriller - who would have expected such a twist?! Wowee!
I did notice that this book seemed very long. As I was enjoying it all along, this did not bother me, but I can definitely see how some readers might take issue with the length. As it is, this is hands down my top pick for books I have read so far this year!
Marina Calzaghe has arrived to try to make her fortune on the moon in interesting times. Like all residents, her holographic familiar keeps track of hMarina Calzaghe has arrived to try to make her fortune on the moon in interesting times. Like all residents, her holographic familiar keeps track of her allotments of the Elementals, including oxygen and other finite resources. Her new home has a million ways it can kill.
There are five main families that control industry on the moon, the Five Dragons and their respective dynasties. Among these of the upper echelon, intrigue abounds.
The Cortas deal in the mining of helium-3. Adriana is matriarch, and her five children each have their own roles to play within the family. Rafa is the golden boy and heir, Lucas the schemer, Ariel is society's darling as a successful attorney, Carlinhos the fighter, and Wagner the Lone Wolf.
Adriana knows her time as the Fifth Dragon is nearing an end, and is all too aware of the power vacuum that might ensue when she passes. But for all of her planning and machinations, the rival families are devising their own.
I had to take my time reading this book because some elements to it are a bit dense - nothing too overly complicated, but there is just a lot going on as far as engineering, biology, politics, family lineages, etc. But overall it was a pretty amazing experience and has left me with a huge book hangover. I feel like I need the next book in my hands immediately - even if my favorite character didn't survive the end of this one :(...more
Young adult fantasy about a rebellion against a corrupt king, and then the aftermath including the fashioning of a new and better court. There's a bitYoung adult fantasy about a rebellion against a corrupt king, and then the aftermath including the fashioning of a new and better court. There's a bit of magic here, but it's more of a given in the world Smith has created, and not a focal point of the story. A bit of romance as well. Originally published as two separate books in a duology, they are now combined into one volume.
Overall I didn't think this book was anything amazing, but it was entertaining enough to keep me interested through to the end.
I thought the parts with Meliara on the run in the first book were exciting. In the second book, building the world of the Court of Athanarel and all of the court intrigue was fun.
The ending was actually kind of anticlimactic for me. I mean, the final hurrah seemed to get wrapped up really quick and easy.
As for the romance, I would have liked to have seen the two interact AFTER the big revelation. Everything building up to it was nice though....more
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