Author: Adriana Mather
Genre: Thriller
Series: Killing November #1
Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication: March 26, 2019 by Knopf BFYR
Source: Personal Library
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It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators. Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.
Killing November was a pleasant surprise when it popped up on my radar. I had no clue Mather had a new book out. I read Mather’s first book, How to Hang a Witch and enjoyed it immensely. Still keeping within the YA genre, Mather moved away from the paranormal to thriller with a boarding school full of assassins in the making. Our heroine, November ‘Ember’ woke up in a boarding school in the middle of nowhere, only to find herself with a target on her back. Students and faculties alike had a bone to pick with November and she didn’t have the slightest clue as to why. But things took a turn for the worst when students ended up dead and November was the only common denominator between the murders. With the help of her new roommate, Layla and her twin brother, Ash; they set out to find the murderer before they become the next casualty.
The book started out kind of shaky as the author sets up the characters, motive and stage. I was a couple of chapters in and was not a fan of November. Everyone has their quirks and November’s quirk was announcing aloud the etymology of everyone’s name and breaking down word meaning. Don’t get me wrong, I love etymology but when it was every other sentence or paragraph…it got old, real fast. I almost put the book down for that reason alone, but I trudged along because the overall synopsis was intriguing. And I’m glad I stuck it out because it was a pretty good and entertaining read. Luckily with more pressing concerns, like staying alive, November traded etymology for sleuthing about the campus and dodging flying knives. Small mercies. I also liked learning about the different families and her parent’s Romeo and Juliet-like relationship between the Lion faction and Bear faction.
It was refreshing going into Killing November with little knowledge of the story and no expectations for once. While the book didn’t start out strong it certainly ended strong. I enjoyed it more than I thought. And great news, Killing November is the beginning of a new series! I am excited to see where Mather takes the story next beyond the walls of the school. If you’re a fan of mafias, assassins and boarding schools then I highly recommend making Killing November your next read.
Title: The Beast of Beswick
Author: Amalie Howard
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Everleigh Sisters #1
Mass Market Paperback, 380 pages
Publication: November 26, 2019 by Entangled: Amara
Source: Personal Library
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Lord Nathaniel Harte, the disagreeable Duke of Beswick, spends his days smashing porcelain, antagonizing his servants, and snarling at anyone who gets too close. With a ruined face like his, it's hard to like much about the world. Especially smart-mouthed harpies—with lips better suited to kissing than speaking—who brave his castle with indecent proposals.
But Lady Astrid Everleigh will stop at nothing to see her younger sister safe from a notorious scoundrel, even if it means offering herself up on a silver platter to the forbidding Beast of Beswick himself. And by offer, she means what no highborn lady of sound and sensible mind would ever dream of—a tender of marriage with her as his bride.
Beauty and the Beast has been retold and reimagined many times in various types of media but as a fan of the story; I never tire from seeing others’ interpretation or spin. In its latest reincarnation, Howard brings the classic fairytale to historical romance readers with a headstrong heroine looking to protect her younger sister and a scarred war hero duke who feels too broken for love and society. In my pursuit to read more romance and novels outside my go-to genre; Beast of Beswick is my 2nd romance novel of 2020 and it was fabulous…and steamy!
The Regency era has always been a favorite time period of mine, so it isn’t a surprise that I found myself instantly immersed in the setting and the Everleigh sisters’ lives. Our heroine Astrid is incredibly brilliant, independent and beautiful with a heart of gold but due to an unfortunate coming out season at sixteen and a despicable Earl, Astrid’s reputation gets tarnish leaving her unwed and a ‘spinster’ at the young age of twenty-five. But with Astrid’s younger sister Isobel’s season fast approaching and her only living relatives eyeing their inheritance and dowry; Astrid is willing to do anything to keep her Uncle’s clutches off pawning Isobel off to the next rich Earl. Even it means marrying the Beast of Beswick.
If you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast, then you have a pretty good idea at how the story goes/ends. Thane, our hero is very flawed; emotionally and mentally. Which I find as a good thing. It made him more realistic and relatable and more times than not I found myself feeling sympathetic with him. Although he is scarred on the outside physically, the real scars were within. The only beastly thing about Thane was his incorrigible nature and saying the first thing that came to mind. I loved Astrid and Thane as a couple and enjoyed their ever-entertaining banter. While their relationship began under less than ideal circumstances, I loved seeing their relationship grow from unbridled disdain/curiosity turn to friendship/love.
I adored The Beast of Beswick, it’s exactly everything I was hoping a fairytale retelling romance would be…and so much more. This is the start of the Everleigh Sisters series and I am so stoked for the sequel with of course features Astrid’s younger sister Isobel who is as much as a firecracker as her sister. If you’re looking for a well-written and engaging story with a fairytale twist, I recommend picking-up The Beast of Beswick!
