Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel

The Private Papers of Eastern JewelThe Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I started this book, I couldn't put it down, but then the long chapters and long cast of characters wore me out (not to mention real-life intruding). The writing varied between very descriptive sex scenes and read-between-the-lines sex scenes, but there were alot of them. Some secondary characters could have used a little more fleshing out, but overall the story was well written.

Pub. Date: September 2009


Synopsis: An electrifying epic, based on the incredible true story of a Chinese princess turned spy.
Peking, 1914. When the eight-year-old princess Eastern Jewel is caught spying on her father’s liaison with a servant girl, she is banished from the palace, sent to live with a powerful family in Japan. Renamed Yoshiko Kawashima, she quickly falls in love with her adoptive country, where she earns a scandalous reputation, taking fencing lessons, smoking opium, and entertaining numerous lovers. Sent to Mongolia to become an obedient wife, Yoshiko mounts a daring escape and eventually finds her way back to Peking high society—this time with orders from the Japanese secret service.
Based on the true story of a rebellious woman who earned a controversial place in history, The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel is a vibrant reimagining of a thrilling life—a rich historical epic of palace intrigue, sexual manipulation, and international espionage.

Recommended Reading:
Fall of Giants by Ken Follet
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Titan's Curse

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book more than the others of the series. I thought the mythology factor of the story was better explained in this book than the other books. I look forward to reading the next book. As soon as The Spawn finishes it.

Pub. Date: April 2008

Series: Percy Jackson and The Olympians Book 3

Synopsis: When the goddess Artemis goes missing, she is believed to have been kidnapped. And now it's up to Percy and his friends to find out what happened. They must find Artemis before the winter solstice, when her influence on the Olympian Council could swing an important vote on the war with the titans. Not only that, but first Percy will have to solve the mystery of a rare monster that Artemis was hunting when she disappeared—a monster rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus forever.


Recommended Reading:
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

Book Review: Shadow Baby by Alison McGhee

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