Romantic Parvenu

Book Review: Someone by Alice McDermott

January 4, 2014

This was a very different—but good—sort of novel. It’s a sort of reflection on a life, narrated in first person by its protagonist, Marie. Alice McDermott’s prose is skillful and moves with a good amount of strength. Someone is a brief novel, ...

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Book Review: Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman

January 4, 2014

For a book that deals with so many serious issues, Boys Don’t Cry is remarkably unserious—or it doesn’t seem to take its content seriously. This book reminds me of a super-cheesy Hallmark movie or ABC Family series. It’s eye-rollingly preachy in ...

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Book Review: The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn

January 3, 2014

The Lion and the Rose is Quinn’s best novel to date. It couples a good story with a fascinating glimpse at the fascinating Borgia family, and it featured three narrators I was very invested in. All around, this is just a solid book and a great ...

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Book Review: The Serpent and the Pearl by Kate Quinn

January 3, 2014

This is one of Kate Quinn’s better novels, in my opinion. The world of the Borgias is illuminated quite satisfactorily here, the story is engrossing, and the characters are enjoyable. I never really thought to include Quinn on my list of ...

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Book Review: Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

January 1, 2014

Sometimes-sappy or not, I think Chasing Brooklyn offers a real view of what it’s like to lose someone you love, and how it’s hard to move on from that. Even the paranormal aspect didn’t throw off the authenticity in the author’s narration. The ...

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Book Review: Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

January 1, 2014

Lots of people say Wild Awake is well-written. Sure. Sure it is. Hilary T. Smith illustrates Kiri’s mind very well, first in its stoned state, then in its manic state. I don’t deny this is a pretty book. But the fact remains that I am very ...

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