Winner of the Historical Holiday Blog Hop giveaway

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Thanks everyone who stopped by!

1st Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the First Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop, hosted by Passages to the Past.

For my giveaway, I am using Better World Books, who helps fund literacy projects around the world, and for each book purchased, they donate a book to someone in need. Good works! And all books ship internationally for free! So that means, this is open internationally! *confetti*

The winner will get to pick 3 books from the Bargin Bin sections of Historical Fiction and/or History.

Note: BWB gets their used books from donations from individuals and libraries. Conditions vary. Hardcovers may not have their dust jacket, some may have the various treatments done to them by libraries, some have bookcrossing stickers. The best available condition will be chosen. The books I've received have been in great condition, other than what has been noted.

Browse Historical Fiction
Browse History

Some of my favorites found in the Bargin Bin


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Plus, Amy is hosting Grand Prize drawings at her blog. They include:

Historical Holiday Blog Hop Grand Prizes

- $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card

- Prize package(s) of historical novels (titles will be added as authors sign up)

1. Oleanna by Julie Rose (pb)
2. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell (pb)
3. Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan by Robin Maxwell (Audio Books)
4. The King's Daughter by Barbara Kyle (pb)
5. The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien (pb)
6. Royal Romances: Titillating Tales of Passion and Power in the Palaces of Europe by Leslie Carroll (pb)
7. The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
8. The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
9. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
10. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
11. Sea Witch by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
12. Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
13. Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
14. The Queen's Vow by Christopher Gortner (pb, UK edition)
15. Into the Path of Gods (Book 1, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
16. In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
17. The Anvil Stone (Book 3, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
18. A Land Beyond Ravens (Book 4, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
19. Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth (pb)
20. The Rose of York: Love & War by Sandra Worth (pb)
21. A Dance of Manners (A Regency Anthology) by Susan Flanders, Cynthia Breeding, Kristi Ahlers, Gerri Bowen and Erin Hatton (pb)
22. The Book of Lost Fragrances by MJ Rose (hc)
23. The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan (pb)
24. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland (signed pb)
25. The Master of Verona by David Blixt (hc)
26. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen (pb)
27. Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones (pb)
28. At the Mercy of the Queen by Anne Barnhill (pb)
29. What You Long For by Anne Barnhill (pb)
30. Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara (signed hc)
31. The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift (pb, UK edition)
32. The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman (signed pb)
33. The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd (pb, with Tower of London Tea Sachets)
34. The Mischief of the Mistletoe (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 hc - both signed)
35. The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot
36. The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton (pb w/bookmark)
37. The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith (pb)
38. Illuminations by Mary Sharratt (hc)
39. Selene of Alexandria by Faith L. Justice (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 eBook)
40. A Thing Done by Tinney Sue Heath (2 copies, pb)
41. Rebel Puritan by Jo Ann Butler (pb)
42. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen (audio cd's)
43. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan (2 copies, pb)
44. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
45. Above All Things by Tanis Rideout (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
46. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
47. Movement of Stars by Amy Brill (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
48. Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
49. The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry (hc)
50. The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase (pb)
51. Three Maids for a Crown by Ella March Chase (pb)
52. Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (pb)
53. The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan (ARC)
54. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin by Alana White
55. A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (pb)
56. The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau (signed pb)
57. Second Lisa by Veronica Knox

Partial to the Past Historical Fiction Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Partial to the Past Historical Fiction Giveaway Hop, hosted by Bippity Boppity Book. This giveaway hop runs from August 24th through August 30th. Please check out the other participants in the hop for great historical fiction giveaways.

I will have two Giveaways. Make sure you read the instructions and only enter where appropriate, and fully follow instructions. One is US Only, the other is open Internationally.

Giveaway #1: US Only

A Signed First Edition of Jacqueline Winspear's The Mapping of Love and Death.
I came across this on sale at my local Barnes and Noble, so I will only send it to addresses in the US.



a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway #2: International

For this giveaway you have your choice of your choice historical fiction valued at $15 or less US. This is open Internationally so long as The Book Depository ships to your country. If the winner has an e-reader and prefers it, I'll gift them the ebook format (only for Kindle, Nook or Kobo ebook users). Not sure on which historical fiction title you'd like? Check out my Historical Fiction shelf on Goodreads.

Sarah's historical-fiction book montage

Sarah's favorite books »

The book chosen must be in the historical fiction genre (adult or young adult). By historical fiction, it needs to be set in the 1960s or earlier, and the time period featured noticeably (I would not consider books like The Night Circus historical fiction since while the author might state a year it starts in, there is no other evidence of a historical setting).
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Be sure to check out the other giveaways in the hop!

Review: Kindred by Octavia Butler

Kindred by Octavia Butler
Publisher: Beacon Press
Science Fiction-Time Travel, Historical Fiction
My own purchase
4 stars

Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him. Dana is drawn back repeatedly through time to the slave quarters, and each time the stay grows longer, more arduous, and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end, long before it has a chance to begin.

I first was introduced to Butler's writings when one of my college English classes assigned her Parable of the Sower to the class. Although we never got to reading it for class, I read it anyways, and I loved it. I've been on the look out for more of her books ever since. Kindred has the same easy to jump into writing that I remember from Parable of the Sower.

Butler is known for being a science fiction writer, but this book is fairly light on the science fiction aspects. The only science fiction aspects is going back and forth in time, and worrying about whether something she does in the past will change the future. The vast majority of the novel takes place in antebellum Maryland, so it very much reads like historical fiction. If you like historical fiction but aren't big on science fiction, this would be a good book for you to try.

The depiction of slavery in this is a bit unusual, when compared to a book like Gone with the Wind for example. Rufus's father is not a rich man. Nothing is said as to just how many slaves he owns, but the house is described as modest sized. And neither are the Weylin men exceptionally cruel masters, or treated their slaves like one of the family. Rufus's father takes a rather Machiavellian approach- making the punishments for disobeying significantly harsh so other slaves would fear disobeying. Its not a portayal I am used to seeing. Especially since the slave experience is seen through the eyes of someone living as a slave.

I really enjoyed the novel, and couldn't stop reading it.

Review: Gilt by Katherine Longshore #audiobookweek

Gilt by Katherine Longshore
Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda
Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks
8hrs, 46mins
young adult, historical fiction
Audible purchase
4 stars

When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty is now caught between two men - the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

Gilt is told through Katherine (Kitty) Tylney, a close friend and distant cousin of Catherine Howard, in the home of the Duchess of Norfolk. Now I did a quick internet search for Kitty, and she is a real figure, as she appears in the documents of the trial of Catherine Howard, but I wasn't able to find anything I did not know from reading Gilt. Suffice to say, it seems the documentary record for Kitty Tylney is a bit lacking. This, in my opinion makes Kitty an ideal narrator for the story of Catherine Howard. Longshore can play with her story more, while sticking to the facts as they pertain to the major players. Kitty was very believable, The history seems sound from what I remember of the last Six Wives book I read. Longshore's version of Catherine is a bit more conniving than I am used to seeing her, it was more what I would expect in a novel about Anne Boleyn. Thomas Culpepper had that same sleazy, skin crawling manner that his character had in The Tudors series. Neither was depicted in a sympathetic light, which is to be expected. However for a unique view, Catherine was depicted as the main architect of her downfall.

Jennifer Ikeda is a fine narrator for Gilt, she brings in a little bit of an accent. It took me a little be to get used to her voice, but looking at her bio, it makes me wonder if it was because she's Californian. It may be all of my BBCAmerica and british movie watching that has tuned my ear to catch the difference from a real accent. After a little while, whatever issues I had resolved themselves, and I enjoyed listening to her narrate Kitty's world. I would definitely keep my eye out for other books she narrates.

Review: The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon

The Rose of Sebastopol: A Novel by Katharine McMahon
Historical Fiction- Crimean War
Audiobook, read by Josephine Bailey
Borrowed from the library

In 1854, beautiful, adventurous Rosa Barr travels to the Crimean battlefield with Florence Nightingale's nursing corps. A headstrong idealist, longing to break out of the rigid confines of life as a young lady, Rosa is determined to make a difference in the world. For Mariella Lingwood, Rosa's cousin, the war is contained within the pages of her scrapbook, in her London sewing circle, and in the letters she receives from her fiance, Henry-a celebrated surgeon who has also volunteered to work within the shadow of the guns. When Henry falls ill and is sent to recuperate in Italy, Mariella impulsively decides she must go to him. But upon her arrival at his lodgings, she makes a heartbreaking discovery: Rosa has disappeared without a trace. Following the trail of her elusive cousin, Mariella's epic journey takes her from the domestic restraint of Victorian London to the ravaged landscape of the Crimea and the tragic city of Sebastopol, where she encounters Rosa's dashing stepbrother, a reckless cavalry officer whose complex past-and future-is inextricably bound up with her own. As Mariella's quest leads her deeper into the dark heart of the conflict, her ordered world begins to crumble, and she finds she has much to learn about secrecy, faithfulness, and love.

I enjoyed the story that is woven through The Rose of Sebastopol. We get a sense of what people at home heard and thought of the war, but also what it was like living and working in the war zone. It is told in dual narrative, with the primary narrative told during the Crimean War, and the secondary narrative consists of Mariella's memories of past events. If you have trouble following multiple timelines, this book may give you difficulty. Part of Mariella's tale of past events can be of her life just before she heads to Italy, from when she meets Henry, and later when she meets Rosa. Eventually the "present" timeline, and the rememberances of life just before she leaves for Italy catch up together, so there is one less time frame to keep track of. Since I had an audiobook, I missed having a printed copy that I could flip back and check at times.

One biggest problem with this audiobook how the chapters end. I would be sitting, listening happily along, and expect the chapter to continue, except it goes launching into a new one. I am not sure if the author wrote it that way, or if the narrator read it in a way where the phrasing sounded like the chapter should continue instead of stopping. This might not have bothered me much, except that I would say at least half of the chapters in the novel ended that way. The other major problem I had with the book is Mariella's voice. When she would get to thinking about how Henry is, or where Rosa was or some decision she has to make, she starts to sound whiny, weak and spoiled. I simply can't stand whiny, weak female lead characters, and this began to get to me. It may have been exaggerated, since I was listening to the book, but not seeing it in print, its hard to say how much. It may also be done to exaggerate the difference between Rosa and Mariella, since Rosa is decisive and fearless, but if this is the case, it could have been done so Mariella didn't sound so weak.

Some of the events covered in the last disk or two seemed hurried, and thrown in almost like an afterthought when compared to the long period in getting to the Crimea and looking for Rosa there. Some of these events would have made the story more interesting, in terms of the characters and their relationships with each other, but being hurried in near the end, they felt more contrived.

In the end, I rode the middle, giving this audiobook 2.5 stars. If you wish to try the novel, I would recommend you skip the audiobook, and try the printed version.

Quickie Reviews: Audiobooks

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
I read this as an ebook last summer, but when I saw that that Jennifer Ehle (Elizbeth Bennett in BBC's Pride and Prejudice) was the narrator, I decided to give it a reread via audiobook. After getting over the fact that she, our Miss Bennett, is not actually English, I realized that her voice is extremely well suited for the period this novel is set in. Brooks takes the reader into life in Colonial Massachusetts with this well researched and well written novel.. Either in print or in audio, this is an excellent read. 4 stars

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Another historical fiction novel set partially in Massachuesetts, this time in World War II. The story follows three women- the postmistress and the wife of the town doctor in Cape Cod; and a radio broadcaster working in London during the Blitz. If you are interested in reading this book, go for the audio. This is written where the doctor and his wife may be listening to the radio broadcast coming in from London, and by the time the broadcast finished, the reader is now in London with the broadcaster. These radio elements really do well in the audiobook. low 4 stars

Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King
I enjoyed this novel based on the life of Lady Gruoch of Scotland, who went on to wed Macbeth, both of whom were inspiration for the characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth. This novel actually gave a little background for A Kingdom's Cost, which I read last year. That novel featured Isabella MacDuff, whose family had the right to crown the Kings of Scotland. In Lady Macbeth, we learn that the right of crowning was bestowed on Lady Gruoch and her descendants. The historical references, such as this and the ties with the Vikings I found informative. The author also made Lady Gruoch a bit of a more modern personality, which I enjoyed. She had an independent streak, but done in a way that fit the period. But for as long as the book is, some portions are covered at length, while others are quickly skimmed over, such as the period of her life after Macbeth's death. 4 stars

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
This was my first Amy Tan book. The book started with Ruth talking over her job, her husband and his children from a previous relationship, and problems with both. Ruth next goes into the problems she has with her mother, Luling, who appears to be showing signs of dementia. While Ruth's dealings with her mother touched some buttons with me regarding my grandmother, this sort of relationship drama common in contemporary set novels is the reason I avoid the contemporary genre. But we next get taken into Ruth's mother's history: how her parents met; her childhood in China with the discovery of the Peking Man fossils; and World War II, leading to her imigration to San Francisco. I found the characters and story more interesting in the flashback portion of the novel. 3.5-4 stars

Room by Emma Donoghue
This book lived up to the hype. Well written, with good characters and interesting because it deals with tough subject matter. The novel is told from the perspective of a five year old boy who has never been outside of Room. It gives an unusual and 'clean' perspective to the events. But at times, Jack's naive five year old views and selfishness can be maddening (author's intent I believe). Each of the main parts are read by a different actors, who did a fine job on this reading. 4 stars


Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
I don't remember how I first heard about this, but somehow I ended up on an article either by Susan Cain, or referencing one by her, and I ended up on her website in the fall. I really liked what I read there, and was eagerly waiting the months until the January release of this book. I have always been really "shy", quiet, doesn't talk to strangers, or people kind of know. Never liked parties, even family ones. Listening to this, it just really resonated for me. She was describing me, perfectly. In reading this, I determined that I am more introverted than shy.4.5 stars

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
I always had an interest in the Victorian period's interpretation of flower meanings, so I decided to give it a listen. I really enjoyed listening to this one. It has dual narratives. The story is told by the protagonist, a girl abandoned at infancy and who grew up in the foster care system: half is remembrance of her life around the age of 8-9; the other half when she emancipates from the foster care system at 18. Victoria's stubbornness is a little frustrating, but she bears her hard life as best she can. 4 stars

Fallen by Lauren Kate
I mostly checked this out becuase it is set in Savannah, Georgia, so 1) It worked for Where are you reading? and 2) I went to school in Savannah. Unfortunately the novel is set in a boarding school with no off campus priveledges, so she didn't go mentioning much of the area. I was enjoying the first half- three quarters of the story, but once it reached the climactic events, the story felt rushed. Not just because the action picked up, but as compared to the pace of the beginning. Not a bad read, I'd consider continuing the series if I see it at the library. 3.5 stars

Legend by Marie Lu
I had been wanting to read Legend since I first saw the early reviews coming out. It was highly rated, and boy did it live up to the high expectations. A slightly post-apocalyptic dystopian set in Los Angeles, I could really see the world Lu created. It has both strong and smart male and female leads, was performed well. 4.5 stars

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
This has been the best novel I have read so far this year. It is a young adult fantasy novel, more so for older teens (there is a scene with prostitutes, from what I remember offhand). The royal family of Lumatere has been murdered so that an imposter can assume the throne, and soon after a curse falls on the country, trapping some people within the borders, and some outside of them. For ten years, Finnikin and his mentor have wandered the other countries, keeping track of their people. Meeting Evanjalin, they start on a wild journey to search for the heir prince, who is rumored to have survived. Not only is the novel a great read, but the audiobook is fantastic as well. Jeffrey Cummings, who reads the novel, does a brilliant job of performing all of the characters. He really portrays the emotions of the characters very well. If you like the fantasy genre, you must check this one out. 5 stars

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje
The audiobook of this is narrated by the author. His voice is very quiet, and nearly monotone. So much that I would find myself zoning out while listening to this in the car. I would also have to really crank up the volume, and I still had trouble hearing it over the car noise. The story is largely character driven, with the narrator recalling his voyage from southeast Asia to England as a young boy, and other events related to the people he met on the voyage. There's not much of a plot, as nothing very exciting happens aboard the ship. Listening to this, and my inability to get into The English Patient movie (based on another of his novels), I think this is not the author for me. This also reinforces my tendancy to not care much for character driven novels. 2.5 stars

Review: Hearts Restored by Prue Phillipson

Hearts Restored
by Prue Phillipson
Historical Fiction/Historical Romance
Recieved from the publisher for honest review.
Publication date: March 8, 2012
3.5-4 Stars

Set at the start of the Restoration of Charles II, Hearts Restored follows Daniel Wilson Horden, the only male of his generation of the Horden family. On the day Charles II returns to London, Daniel and his parents meet up with some relations, where he is thrust into the path of three female cousins of marriageable age. Less than eager to be trapped into a marriage so soon, Daniel puts off his dream of joining the navy by following his father's wishes to enter the university. As a secondary story line, we follow Daniel's cousin Eunice who is raised by her widowed, Puritan father. Having a glimpse at the extravagant lifestyle of some of her Horden cousins, it clashes with the austere teachings of her father. Within five years, the characters are caught up in the war with the Dutch, the Great Plague, and the Great Fire raging through London.

I've always enjoyed stories set in the Napoleonic Wars and other military engagements around the time of the Regency, so the naval aspect of Hearts Restored. However, I was a little disappointed that There was not more of Daniel's live in the Navy. There was only a few chapters dedicated to it, and one major battle, but oh what a dramatic story in Daniel's life that battle creates.

It was an interesting juxtaposition between Eunice's life in a Puritan household, to Daniel's more (monetarily) comfortable life, and that of the wealthy Horden cousins. Most of my experience learning about the Puritans in history deals with those who immigrated to the American colonies. The information about Puritan England I found informative, and I thought Phillipson did a good job instilling some of the fear and horror over the plague and the Great Fire into her novel.

Hearts Restored has the romantic plottings one might expect in a novel set in the Romantic Era, but in this case the older women tend to focus more of their attentions on Daniel. They tease him, and try to force his opinions or attentions towards one of his cousins, and I found it unusual that these attentions were given so openly to a man. To be sure, they treat the young ladies in the same way, but for some they seem to have nothing better to do than tease Daniel about their schemings as well.

The relationship between Eunice and Daniel is sweet, but rather predictable, although that did not detract from the story for me. If anyone is looking for a clean read, this will work well for you, with exception of the naval battle. Overall, I would have liked a little something more for this to be a solid four star read for me. Aside from Eunice's father, all of the characters are of a fairly easy going temperment, so a little more of a fiesty or quarrelsome behavior could have lent a little more contrast to the characters.

If you are interested, there is a giveaway for Hearts Restored on Goodreads which goes through the 8th. Thanks to Knox Robinson Publishing for letting me read and review this title.

Quick reviews: Audiobooks

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This young adult takes place on a spaceship. Amy and her family have been cryogenically frozen for a 300 year space flight to a new planet where Amy's parents are apart of a team preparing it for settlement. Except somehow Amy got woken up early. Through Amy, we see how the society on board the Godspeed has been changed from what Amy remembers on Earth. Its an interesting twist to the dystopian genre, with a real dose of science fiction. Lauren Ambrose and Carlos Santos were the readers on this and both did a great job. My only thing with this audiobook was I kept picturing Lauren in her Torchwood: Miracle Day role (Jilly), and her voice sounds older than I imagined for the 16 year old Amy, so I had trouble believing her in the role of Amy. 4 Stars

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
This was a fun, steampunk alternate history of World War I. The book follows Aleksandar, son of the slain Archduke Ferdinand as he flees those who murdered his parents; and Deryn Sharp, a girl who disguises herself so she can join the British Air Service. Its a fun story, narrated by the brillant Alan Cumming. I was disappointed that my libraries didn't have the other two in the series available on Overdrive yet. 4 Stars.

Tithe by Holly Black
Kaye Fierch grew up with faeries as friends until she and her mom start bouncing around following Kaye's mother's rock career. After one too many of her mother's bad boyfriends, they move back to Kaye's grandmother's house. Back at her childhood home, Kaye finds herself pulled into the happenings of the Seelie and Unseelie courts, and the unconnected fae. An early observation I had about Tithe was that for something described as a young adult novel, there are quite a few f-bombs in the novel. I think this had the most, for an adult or young adult novel that I've read. And since it was an audiobook, these stood out even more. This also reminded me a good bit of Wicked Lovely. Both have a teen girl, who has had a rough growing up and can see the fae; both find themselves caught between the kinder and rougher fae courts. I enjoyed Wicked Lovely, but I didn't end up liking Tithe quite as much. The story seemed to go on a bit too long, and the language got to be a little off putting for me. 3.5 stars

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
This is described as a retelling of The Scarlet Letter, but it is more than that. This is a Dystopian novel, and Jordan has developed so rigid and infuriating, that had I been listening at home, I would have been yelling at it. It is also an unusual type of dystopian to many of the ones I've read. Given the current times, it is a very plausible world that Jordan created. I really enjoyed this one.4.5 stars

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
The cover caught my attention when I was looking for books for my nephews. Calpurnia is the only daughter of seven children. Her grandfather, retired from the running of the family farm, has become an amateur naturalist. Through Calpurnia, we learn about how to be a naturalist and scientist, as she questions the typical womens roles expected for a girl in turn of the century Texas. I could really relate to her. I'd recommend this with anyone interested in science, especially evolution and biology. 4 stars

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, other than it was getting good reviews in a YA blogs. Karou lives in a gritty world, going between art school and errands for her chimera adoptive family. Taylor created such a vivid world, and it is wonderfully read by Khristine Hvam. It is technically a YA story, but it is strong and complex and if a few small things were different, it would easily cross into adult fantasy. I would highly recommend this one, in either format. 4 stars