Nenekiri Bookwyrm

This book was one of the only times I've read historical fiction and I think I may need to look into the genre more as a result. I did have a hard time getting into it at first. I remember starting to read it a while ago and just didn't get back to it until later this year. I think as well if I had read it during any other year other than 2020, the bits about Kip struggling against the inherently racist structures that keep Calatians from the practice of sorcery would have been easier to read. I shared in Kip's triumphs as he proved his sorcery prowess to the old masters, I think the ongoing current events just made it read a little more hopeless than the author intended in my mind. That being said, I really enjoyed the worldbuilding that was done for the alternate history the story is set in. The world feels like there's a lot going on in it and that our characters are only getting a small piece of the picture. Which, when it comes to book series, is a good thing! Gives space to allow for more of the world and its secrets to come together in the next installment. The characters are developed well throughout and my personal favorite is Malcolm. He has an earnestness about him that made his scenes very enjoyable. The magic system the students are learning seems to be structured in strict rules and very specific applications of spells. I'll be curious to see if there's any wiggle room in the way spells are cast later in the series. This is the first book I've read by Tim Susman, but I've read some of his other work under his pen name. The style is similar in some spots, but by the nature of setting the story in a particular time period, Tim has shifted his style ever so slightly. It's not a huge departure but I did notice the slight shift. I'm excited to read the next installment in the series, but I will probably give myself time before jumping in. If you're a fan of magic schools, talking animals, and fighting back against the system I'd say to give this a shot. It was a slow start for me, but that's not saying it will be for you.

Grey Dawn is probably the second historical fiction book I've read and it's definitely set the bar higher for the genre for me going forward. The story centers on Chloe, an abolitionist Union soldier from 1863 and Leigh, a soldier from the present and switches off telling the story from each of their perspectives. This was one of the more interesting parts of the book for me, as the writing style shifts slightly to match the language and tone of the characters. Chloe's sections, even in the present, are written with more of a focus on older English and mannerisms while Leigh's section is steeped in more of the speaking style of the present. The focus on showing what military life was like for both women in their respective time periods and how it affected them was also a welcome detail. I won't lie in that I think I have a greater fondness for the story as a whole as it's based in and around Pennsylvania. Growing up in central PA, hearing all of the familiar locations made it easier for me to piece together not only the historical weight of what was being discussed, but also gave the story a sense of closeness. The main characters are well-written and the side characters feel like their own person outside of the main characters lives. This is a lesbian love story after all, and at least for me, the romance sections of the book worked well. My biggest complaint with the story was that the final conflict that is brought up didn't seem to land with me as well as I had hoped. Definitely not a dealbreaker by any means, but still something to consider. I would recommend this to folks looking for something in historical fiction or even people who want a nice romance story. I'll be keeping my eye out for new releases from Nyri in the future!