I am so happy I finally read this book! I had bought it years ago, but never read it until now, and now I think it might be my favourite historical fiction romance! Synopsis: A girl as beautiful as Simonetta Cattaneo never wants for marriage proposals in 15th Century Italy, but she jumps at the … Continue reading The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence: A Story of Botticelli – A What If Historical Romance of Artist and Muse
Simonetta – An Almost Accurate Portrait of a Life
There is something when a book makes the effort to be as historically accurate as possible, since history itself can be so intriguing, yet this book does not capture one's attention as it should. Summary: Have you ever wondered about who Botticelli chose to depict in his immortal painting Birth of Venus? Was she a … Continue reading Simonetta – An Almost Accurate Portrait of a Life
Primavera – A Reversed Cinderella Fantasy of the Pazzi Conspiracy
Primavera was the book that first introduced me to the Italian Renaissance and the works of Sandro Botticelli. I remember that I was spellbound by the beautiful cover for the book and I read the book really fast. It is a very easy read, with the language being so simple, and you can honestly quite … Continue reading Primavera – A Reversed Cinderella Fantasy of the Pazzi Conspiracy
Monstrous Nights – A Solid Finale!
And onto the second book! Trigger Warnings: Physical and psychological abuse by a partner (in the past, but recalled often), strong language, violence/gore, murder, illness (mentioned briefly), vomiting, arrest and imprisonment, drugging, drinking/intoxication and arson Synopsis: With her magic reclaimed and her role in the community of Chernograd restored, Kosara’s life should finally be back … Continue reading Monstrous Nights – A Solid Finale!
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast – Sweet, But Too Short
This might have been one of the first fairy tale retellings I read as a teenager, and it being of Beauty and the Beast, my favourite fairy tale in the world, I had to have this book. Now, rereading this book as an adult, I wanted to see what ideas came to me as I … Continue reading Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast – Sweet, But Too Short
Allerleirauh – Good, but Could Have Been Better
I read this book a while back, and thought it was good, so here is my review! Trigger Warning: Incest and rape. Synopsis: A beautiful princess must escape one treacherous vow… And she must do so alone…without a prince to save her. Princess Aurelia is bound to the wicked king of Tränen by her mother’s single, … Continue reading Allerleirauh – Good, but Could Have Been Better
Thangalaan (2024) – An Historical Epic of Gold, Greed and Grit
I have been waiting to watch this film for a long while, and lo and behold Netflix acquired the film with English subtitles. Summary: In 1850 Thangalaan lives with his wife Gengamma and their children in a Dalit village North Arcot (Madras Precidency). When the fields are burned he is made an indentured servant of … Continue reading Thangalaan (2024) – An Historical Epic of Gold, Greed and Grit
Jakob / The Shadow of the Northern Lights – A Merry Christmas Murder Mystery!
And now the third book in the Hildur-series. Summary: As Christmas comes to the west cost of Iceland, a corpse is found in a fish farming pond. Detective Hildur Rúnarsdóttir and trainee Jakob Johanson barely have time to start their investigation before another body is discovered. And soon a third. While investigating the case, Hildur's … Continue reading Jakob / The Shadow of the Northern Lights – A Merry Christmas Murder Mystery!
Rósa & Björk / The Grave in the Ice – A Chilling Sequel!
And now onto the second book! I had my qualms with the first book, but I am glad I did not have with the second book in the popular Hildur-series. Summary: Detective Hildur Rúnarsdottir and her trainee Jakob are plagued by their own demons while working on the chilly west coast of Iceland: Hildur by … Continue reading Rósa & Björk / The Grave in the Ice – A Chilling Sequel!
Hildur / The Clues in the Fjord – A Nordic Blue Mystery in Beautiful Iceland
This book was recommended to me by my mother (www.kirsinbookclub.com) when I said I wanted a little Nordic Noir to read in Finnish. Summary: Hildur Rúnarsdottir is the only police detective working on the isolated west coast of Iceland. She is desperate to forget her traumatic past by burying herself in her cases alongside her … Continue reading Hildur / The Clues in the Fjord – A Nordic Blue Mystery in Beautiful Iceland
The Little Corner 