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History’s Mysteries: The Naturalist’s Daughter and Witchmark

28 Aug

The Naturalist’s Daughter
by Tea Cooper
The Naturalist’s Daughter is about two Australian women who have a hundred years between them but share similar curious natures and adventurous constitutions. Rose Winton grows up in Agnes Banks, NSW in 1808 assisting her naturalist father Charles Winton on his research of the platypus, sometimes referred to as mallangongs by the native inhabitants. Tamsin Alleyn is a librarian who travels from Sydney to find out if an old sketchbook may have been Charles’s work. Both women must use all their courage to uncovers their respective mysteries. There is also a charming romance between Tamsin and a lawyer assisting with the estate sale the sketchbook is part of. At one point Rose travels to England and her story takes a bit of a gothic turn, but the story overall has a core of sweet wholesomeness and the quaint old-fashioned language and vivid descriptions of the past will intrigue those who enjoy historical fiction. Tea Cooper is also the author of a variety of other historical novels including The Butterfly Collector, The Fossil Hunter, The Girl in the Painting, and The Women in the Green Dress.

Witchmark
by C.L. Polk
We read Witchmark by C.L. Polk for the Hoboken Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion in August. I had enjoyed several of Polk’s previous works so was intrigued to check out this genre spanning work set in a world similar to Edwardian England after a World War and hear what the book discussion group thought of their work. The book mixes together mystery, fantasy, romance, and historic fiction into a delightful concoction. Wealthy families use their power to control the weather and society around them. Miles is trying to hide from his magical destiny, first as a soldier and now as a doctor at a military hospital. But someone from his past turns up and then he meets a charming gentleman straight out a fairy story and his days of hiding come to a dramatic end. Can Miles solve the mystery of a murdered patient whose life he tried to save? This is the first in the Kingston Cycle Series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Romeo and Juliette Retold: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

17 Jul

Romeo & Juliette. Those who hear those names instantly know of Shakespeare romantic tragedy. There are countless movies about it with different takes and of course books with their own variation on the tale, including changes in the ending. In many ways, the play itself has become its own genre in terms of  the trope of star-crossed lovers. Many books will have similar themes to the play, but with their own set of characters and situations that differ but take inspiration from the source material. 

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is one such tale. Taking place in a 1920s inspired Shanghai, it tells the story of Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, both heirs to rival gangs, the Scarlets and the White Flowers. Juliette is a former flapper, who has returned to assume her role as heiress as head of the Scarlet Gang, whose power is higher than the law. Both the Scarlets and the White Flowers have fought for generations and the key player behind every move is the White Flowers heir, Roma. Both Juliette and Roma have a shared history as each other’s first loves that ended in betrayal. Things change when a mysterious contagion begins to make itself known and the stability of both gangs begins to crumble. Now Juliette and Roma must set their differences aside and work together before their gangs and the city are destroyed.

Gong weaves a bloody and fantastic narrative with great protagonists who are compelling as they are fun to read about.  The book also has several nods to its inspiration while still coming off as its own story as well, touching on various themes and topics that are woven quite well throughout the narrative. The mystery that makes up the primary plot of the novel is well paced and one that readers will either try to guess along the way or figure out immediately. 

There are many political references made through the book as well in regards to some of the things Shanghai was facing in reality during the 1920s, things the author handles very well and gives the readers something to think on in regards to history. 

Overall, the book is a thrilling read that will have you reaching for the sequel as soon as you reach the ending. These Violent Delights is available now along with its sequel, Our Violent Ends.

You can read several past Shakespeare inspired posts here and here and here.

Written by:
Lauren Lapinski
Information and Digital Services Library Assistant

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