Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A delight for readers of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this blockbuster debut set in 1960s California features the singular voice of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.


Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with--of all things--her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

Review:

Although I loved Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Gamus, don't expect it to be  a light-hearted romp, like the novel,  Where'd You Go Bernadette,  that is referenced in the description on Goodreads.  This is a novel about a stubborn, woman who persists in her passion for science, in spite of the crushing misogyny of the 1950's & 60's.  There are very funny moments in the book, especially when she takes command of a silly cooking show meant for housewives.  She actually turns it into a show about empowerment and self-worth for women doing the thankless job of taking care of children and home.  But there are also moments of sexual violence, and degradation that are difficult to read.  This is especially true because I just love the character of Elizabeth.  Overall, this was a very worthwhile read, and I highly recommend it.

What I Liked:

Characters:

This is a highly character driven book.  What I mean by that is that the author created these wonderful (and sometimes infuriating) characters and then put them in situations to see what would happen.   

Elizabeth, having no family to speak of, makes her way in the world without the judgement, or guidance, of anyone.  So she sees no reason why she shouldn't be able to do things like be a chemistry major in college, or become a scientist.  She doesn't have the awareness to understand that what she wants is going to be nearly impossible during the 1950's, when the book begins.  Calvin, is similarly clueless.  He has grown up in a boys home for orphans, and also doesn't have a family.  Both Elizabeth and Calvin are genius-level smart, and look at problems without any social context.  But, because Calvin is a man, he is praised for his quirkiness and allowed to do whatever he wants.  But when Elizabeth acts the same way, she is told she's a troublemaker, and immediately shut down.  I was glad they found each other and had a chance at happiness.

The supporting characters fall into one of two groups:  those who perpetuate the status quo, and those who's views are changing.  Every boss in this book definitely is a chauvinist, and sees Elizabeth only in terms of her beauty and what she can do for them.  But, there are also characters who are showing the beginnings of awareness that what is happening to Elizabeth is wrong.  As they get to know her, they rally to support her, creating a kind of alternate family.  I loved this.

Themes:

The book is all about facing injustice head on, even when there is a price to pay.  Elizabeth doesn't seem aware, at first, that there are virtually no opportunities for intelligent women in the workforce, in 1952.  She has a very modern outlook on how things should be.  If she is smart enough to do the work, she should be given the opportunity to do so.  But society has put women firmly in the role of wife and/or mother.  People look at her as unnatural (or even immoral) for not wanting marriage and children.  Some of the people who give her the most trouble, are actually women.  I think these women feel like, if they had to give up on their dreams, all other women should have to as well.  As my mother was in this generation (and also majored in chemistry in college), it gave me a great appreciation for what women faced in this period.  

Story:

I can't go into the story much without giving too much away.  I will say that I loved that there were several little mysteries that we hear about that are resolved by the end of the book.  The story also shows how unpredictable life can be.  Even when we find a safe harbor, it may not last.  Sometimes life changes on a dime, and then we have to pick up the pieces.   

The Dog:

I loved, loved, loved the character of Elizabeth's dog, Six-Thirty.  He has thoughts, dreams, and an immense love of Elizabeth and those around her.  Whenever Six-Thirty was in a scene, I immediately wanted to know what he was thinking.  This is just a wonderful aspect of this book.

Trigger Warning:

This book does include scenes of sexual violence that may be triggering to some readers.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  April 5th, 2022

Author:  Bonnie Gamus

Publisher:  Doubleday

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length:  400 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Once you get to know the characters you won't want to put this down.  I highly recommend it.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

This dark epic fantasy follows the heirs of four noble houses—each gifted with a divine power—as they form a tenuous alliance to keep their kingdom from descending into a realm-shattering war.

The Four Realms—Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—all converge on the city of dusk. For each realm there is a god, and for each god there is an heir.

But the gods have withdrawn their favor from the once vibrant and thriving city. And without it, all the realms are dying.

Unwilling to stand by and watch the destruction, the four heirs—Risha, a necromancer struggling to keep the peace; Angelica, an elementalist with her eyes set on the throne; Taesia, a shadow-wielding rogue with rebellion in her heart; and Nik, a soldier who struggles to see the light—will sacrifice everything to save the city.

But their defiance will cost them dearly.

Review:

I started reading Tara Sim's novels when she wrote the Timekeeper series.  It was a Steampunk delight, full of an alternate London universe.  Her latest series, which begins with the novel, The City of Dusk, is even more impressive.  Knowing that there will be three books, the author takes her time weaving an impressive web of gods, religions, families, and political intrigue.  It' a little slow going at first, as there are many characters, each with a complex backstory.   But, at about one-third into the story, the action starts to ramp up, and then never stops.  I really loved the characters and their relationships, the story, and the underlying exploration of free-will.  Weighing in at 579 pages, this is an epic novel.  One that will be worth it for the patient reader.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

There are so many layers to this world.  Four "Houses" (families) form the aristocracy of this world.  Each family is tied to four gods, and wields power derived from that God.  When they go to the church dedicated to their god, they can actually talk to them!  This is because, long ago, each of the gods had a child with someone from each of the four families.  So they literally are descendants of gods.  Learning about what each of the character's powers were was just one of the cool parts of the book.  

There is also lots of political intrigue between the Houses, and the King.  The King doesn't have an heir, so he plays each House against each other, teasing them that one of the four houses will become the next ruler.  This was mostly to keep the Houses from forming any alliances that would challenge the King, directly.  But this constant possibility of gaining even more power, each family puts intense pressure on the younger first-borns to be perfect, and to not form any friendships with young people of the other Houses.  Of course, the four main characters follow no such advice.  

Themes:

One of the main themes of this book is about free-will.  Do the young people have any choice in how they live?  Or are they ultimately pawns in a larger game between gods (or families)?  If you knew your life (and death) was predetermined, would you fight it, or accept it?  As this is a YA Fantasy novel... of course they fight to maintain who each of them are.  This also goes for all the obligations that each family loads onto the first-born children.  Their parents have an expectation that the main characters, Angelica, Taesia, Nik, and Risha will unquestionably want to grab power from the other Houses.  It's a classic case of parents living vicariously through their kids.  All of the parent's unrealized ambitions are thrown onto their children.  It's a heavy load for them to bear. 

Characters:

Each of the four main characters have very complex relationships with their parents, their siblings, and their gods.  Both Angelica and Nik have parents who are more concerned with amassing power than on being good parents.  Nik's father, in particular, is quite abusive.  He blames Nik for the death of Rain (Nik's older brother), never letting him forget that he wishes Nik would have died, instead.  Angelica can't seem to access her powers, so her mother tries all sorts of punishments to induce her to tap into her powers.  It doesn't work.  It just makes Angelica more and more desperate to find ways to get more power.

Taesia and Risha have plenty of godlike abilities.  But they are both constrained by their strong love for their siblings.  Motivated to protect them, they are willing to do anything.  This is more of a problem for Risha, who has a strong sense of responsibility.  Taesia, on the other hand, is selfish and resorts to violence more often than not.  It's disturbing how much she enjoys the power of her abilities, and how little remorse she feels about it afterwards.

Julian, a supporting character, gives us the point of view of the more everyday man.  He is a soldier who's supporting his ailing mother.  He takes on increasingly dangerous missions if it will mean he can afford his mother's medicines.  He and his friends have no time for the aristocracy and their entitlement.  Having lots of preconceived ideas about Nik, and Taesia, he is confused when he has to interact with them, and they turn out to not lead the easy life he had believed.  

Story:

The story follows the approaching Cosmic Alignment of the four gods and their powers, something that only happens every one hundred years.  When it does, the barriers between realms will be at their thinnest, providing an opportunity for the "Sealing" to be broken.  From Angelica, Nik, Taesia, and Risha's viewpoint, this would help souls cross over to their final resting place, and also bring more prosperity to the kingdom.  But there are risks that they are not even aware of. There are plots, on top of plots, on top of plots here.  But the author takes the time to lay them all out, so it isn't confusion to the reader.  But, oh man, it's like three dimensional chess going on, here!

What I was Mixed About:

Pacing:

As much as I loved the story, it is very slow going in the first third of the book.  There's a lot for the author to line up for the reader.  But I can see that some people may not stick around for the payoff.  I did like that it wasn't just one giant action scene after another.  There are many moments of character development sprinkled throughout that make the ending much more satisfying.

Gore:

I know this is a book with lots of battle sequences, but this book is extremely gory, at times.  It nearly gave me nightmares!  I'm just glad I didn't listen to this as an audiobook, as I think listening to some of the descriptions would make me ill.  In reading this, I was able to skim some of the creepiest details.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 22, 2022

Author:  Tara Sim

Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton

Genre:  YA Fantasy/Horror

Page Length:  576 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Although it starts slowly, this is an epic fantasy novel that will be well worth your time.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

You were never the smartest child, but even you should know that when a dead woman offers you a cigarette, the polite thing to do would be to take it. Especially when that dead woman is your mother.

The St. Bernard women have lived in Morne Marie, the house on top of a hill outside Port Angeles, for generations. Built from the ashes of a plantation that enslaved their ancestors, it has come to shelter a lineage that is bonded by much more than blood. One woman in each generation of St. Bernards is responsible for the passage of the city's souls into the afterlife. But Yejide's relationship with her mother, Petronella, has always been contorted by anger and neglect, which Petronella stubbornly carries to her death bed, leaving Yejide unprepared to fulfill her destiny.

Raised in the countryside by a devout Rastafarian mother, Darwin has always abided by the religious commandment not to interact with death. He has never been to a funeral, much less seen a dead body. But when his ailing mother can no longer work and the only job he can find is grave digging, he must betray the life she built for him in order to provide for them both. Newly shorn of his dreadlocks and his past and determined to prove himself, Darwin finds himself adrift in a city electric with possibility and danger.

Yejide and Darwin will meet inside the gates of Fidelis, Port Angeles's largest and oldest cemetery, where the dead lie uneasy in their graves and a reckoning with fate beckons them both. A masterwork of lush imagination and immersive lyricism, When We Were Birds is a spellbinding novel about inheritance, loss, and love's seismic power to heal.

Review:

Books, even fantasy books, often teach me about cultures I know nothing about.  Such was the case in reading the wonderful debut novel, When We Were Birds, by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo.  Set on the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the story centers around two very different people, Darwin, a Rastafarian who's mother warns him to have nothing to do with the dead, and Yejida, who can see spirits and help them transition to the afterlife.  Within this context, the book is about family traditions and expectations, dashed hopes, and a love that can transcend everything to be all that matters.  This was a beautifully written novel, and I loved it.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Trinidad is part of the dual island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.  Although the names of the places are fictional, the author goes to great lengths to describe the urban settings, as well as the lush countryside.  There are also lots of mentions of the foods and traditions that make up this vibrant island.  This feels like a place where you could be in a large city and just minutes away are mountaintops with wild parrots and other animals.  It also seems like a place where the traditions of one's family are of the upmost importance, and striking out on one's own is discouraged.  

Story:

The story is set in Trinidad among two very different families.  Darwin and his mother are struggling to make ends meet.  His reality is that, although his religion strictly prohibits dealing with the dead, he must take a job as a grave digger in order to survive.  He feels terrible guilt over this.  Yejida has an expensive family. Her mother has the ability to see the dead and help them along to find peace after they die.  She passes this gift onto Yejida, who soon learns that this ability is also a curse.  Her life will never be her own.  And she resents it.   Both feel hopeless.  When they each see the other in a vision, they know they are meant to be together.  There are many obstacles along the way.  I loved the hope they were able to have once they found each other. 

Characters:

Both Darwin and Yejida have complicated relationships with their mothers.  Darwin has deeply disappointed his mother by taking a job digging graves at a cemetery.  This goes directly against their Rastafarian religion.  You can also tell that his mom is bitter about his father abandoning him.  It's probably hard on her as she sees the likeness of him in Darwin.  Of course, he can't help that!

Yejida also is estranged from her mother.  Yejida never felt loved by her mother.  Her mom was distant and always treated Yejida as a burden.  Also, Yajida's mom was supposed to train her in how to work with the dead to help them along after death.  But her mom refused to help her prepare.  So when her mother dies, Yejida is feeling more resentful than mournful about it.

Both Darwin and Yejida just want to feel loved and cherished.    They somehow know that they are meant to be together and this gives them strength to face their challenges.

Themes of Death:

The story takes a good hard look at death.  How people react to death, funerals, and what may be after life, are key components of this book.  Darwin's traditions surrounding death include not holding funerals.  It is terrible to even go near a dead person.  So Darwin's mother tells him to not go to her when she is about to die, and not to set foot in the house again, if she dies in it.  Since this is the only home he has ever known, he finds this deeply upsetting.  When he takes the job at the cemetery, he has no idea about what happens at a funeral.  His fellow gravediggers have little regard for the bodies of the dead.

Yejida sees death as another phase of life.  Each of the women in the family have inherited the ability to see and hear the dead.  This gives her a deep connection to her ancestors.   Although she did not have a good relationship with her mother, Yejida still has great affection for the other women in her family.  One of the things that Yejida sees most clearly is that people are in pain when they lose a loved one.  She sees the profound loss that one feels when they lose a spouse.  Even though she hates her mom, she automatically wants to comfort her stepfather.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 15th, 2022

Author:  Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

Publisher:  Doubleday

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  304 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This was a beautifully written debut novel that was both tragic and romantic.  I loved it.  This is a definite must read.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When Margaret Welty spots the legendary hala, the last living mythical creature, she knows the Halfmoon Hunt will soon follow. Whoever is able to kill the hala will earn fame and riches, and unlock an ancient magical secret. If Margaret wins the hunt, it may finally bring her mother home. While Margaret is the best sharpshooter in town, only teams of two can register, and she needs an alchemist.

Weston Winters isn’t an alchemist--yet. Fired from every apprenticeship he's landed, his last chance hinges on Master Welty taking him in. But when Wes arrives at Welty Manor, he finds only Margaret and her bloodhound Trouble. Margaret begrudgingly allows him to stay, but on one condition: he must join the hunt with her.

Although they make an unlikely team, Wes is in awe of the girl who has endured alone on the outskirts of a town that doesn’t want her, in this creaking house of ghosts and sorrow. And even though Wes disrupts every aspect of her life, Margaret is drawn to him. He, too, knows what it's like to be an outsider. As the hunt looms closer and tensions rise, Margaret and Wes uncover dark magic that could be the key to winning the hunt - if they survive that long.

Review:

A Far Wilder Magic, by Allison Saft is a wonderful mix of the real and the magical.  There are automobiles and radios, alongside mythical creatures and magic.  There's a complex fictional society, but it is one rife with all too real discrimination and repression.  And it is filled with two strong main characters, Wes and Margaret, who will steal your heart.   With wonderful world-building, real-life themes, characters, and a wonderful romance, this novel was a treat.  I highly recommend this YA fantasy.  But, with some elements of abuse, and a romance that gets mildly spicy, I would recommend this to high school students and older.  

What I Liked:

World-Building:

The world-building in this novel is a wonderful mix of the modern (there are cars, and radios), alongside the old-fashioned (the clothing, the lack of certain technologies).  This gave the novel a timelessness that helped me to focus on the story.  

Besides the setting, there are some scary stuff going on with the Hala (the mythical fox who wreaks havoc on the countryside).  It comes once in a generation, triggering The Hunt.  In the lead-up to The Hunt, the Hala starts by killing livestock, then gradually moves on to destroying crops, and even murdering people.  The only way to kill the Hala is during the full moon of The Hunt, and must be done by a team of a marksman, and an alchemist.  

Along with mythical creatures, magic plays important roles in the story.  Wes wants to become an alchemist.  He can perform small feats of alchemy (starting a fire), but more complicated magic seems to be beyond him.  While he struggles to learn as quickly as he can, other teams are using enchantments to get a leg up on the competition.

Themes:

I love how fantasy novels are able to incorporate real-life issues into a story.  This world (sadly) mirrors real life in that both Wes and Margaret face discrimination due to their family's religions.  Wes's job prospects are limited due to prejudice, making him even more desperate to become an alchemist.  Margaret is made to feel small in her little village for her father's religion.  She has learned to ignore the taunts, the sneers, and even the threats.  She thinks that if she shies away from attention, people will leave her alone.  But there are people who are looking out for them, who do see Wes and Margaret as people worthy of kindness.  And that gave me hope.

Characters:

Margaret is a lonely reclusive eighteen year-old, alone in a small village.  While her mother Evelyn, a famous alchemist, is away, she must survive on her own.  While she has people who are kind to her, the vast majority of people in the village are openly hostile to her due to her father's religion.  Even though she is lethal with a firearm, she doesn't get along with people.  And she never seems to do things correctly as far as her mother is concerned.  She clings to the idea that if she just tries hard enough, her mother will love her.  

 Wes is the same age as Margaret, but he does come from a house full of love.  He is desperate to become an alchemist and then have a successful career.  One that would provide for his mother and many siblings.  In order to do that he has to convince Margaret's mother, Evelyn to take him on as her apprentice.  

We hear a lot about Evelyn long before we meet her.  And none of it is good.  Since the death of Margaret's brother, Evelyn has become obsessed with her work, and has become cruel towards her daughter. Her actions towards Margaret are emotional abuse.  And it has left Margaret with plenty of scars.  

Romance:

The true heart of the book is the relationship between Wes and Margaret.  Initially, Wes finds Margaret to be plain, and not worthy of a second look.  Margaret sees him as annoying and spoiled, always relying on his charm to get what he wants.  But as they team up for The Hunt, they both get to see each other for who they really are. And then, the attraction sparks its own kind of magic!

I really appreciated that the author shows how hard it is for Margaret to trust Wes, due to her mother's emotional abuse.  It takes a long time for her to see that Wes could like her.  And Wes has to also start to see how his fake charm leads to fake connections.  When he stops this habit, he starts to see what a true connection with another person is, and also how rewarding it can be.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 8th, 2022

Author:  Allison Saft

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A wonderfully written YA Fantasy.  I highly recommend it.  There are some mildly spicy scenes, so I would not recommend this for young teens.  It would be fine for high school age and up.