Finely woven words and complex characters kept me enthralled...
356415
To me the characters, the words, flowed like a rhythm in themselves.  The feeling created was almost palpable and left me greedy for more.  Tessa Bailey is an amazing author.

There is a warning with this story.  Rough Rhythm contains fantasies of non-consensual sex between two consenting people.  While on the one hand I understand the rape fantasy, I just cant imagine acting it out in reality even with a consenting partner, someone I trust to never hurt me.  It is a big ask of any person, to become so vulnerable to them, to allow yourself to become a victim, and for them to know the difference between true violence, and giving you what you need  domination.

I can understand James confusion, his mistaking his actions as those of a violent man rather than a dominant one, and running from it.

Even after having finished the book I still have to admit I don't really understand Lita.  Her acting out for those four years just to get a reaction from James smacked of immaturity, but then she was very young.  But I loved how she pursued him, her strength and determination.  How she knew herself, and what she wanted.  She wanted him  the truth of him and how deeply they affected each other.  I loved them in their loss and pain, in their heartache and confusion, and their eventual enlightenment and passion.
4594651
Anna is a compelling story full of rich characters that left a lasting impression on me.
3221053
Stunningly beautiful novel with rich characters, a compelling setting, and twists and turns that keep you engaged until the very end.
4142029
From the beginning, I was plunged excitedly into a cannot-put-down, do-not-want it to end fantasy tale. The story itself is quite thrilling, an intricately woven one that portrays a girl with ordinary teenage issues suddenly being catapulted into an intriguing, perilous adventure involving a griffin and a being from a twin world.

The story is quite exhilarating throughout, with zesty dialogues between characters and vivid descriptions of people, places and things. Several segments were so skillfully written that there was a strong sense that I was there, in the story itself. There is a harmonious flow throughout the story as it moved me to and fro, from Frankies rich, zesty day-to-day life situations into the perils undertaken with the griffin and his companion.

I found Frankie to be an engaging and fascinating character. She is not cast as one of the cool kids at school. Frankie appears to be rather ordinary; a girl who is struggling to maneuver through the throes of middle adolescence towards adulthood. I was delightfully engaged during the segments involving Frankies encounters and foibles at her school. Her discoveries about friendship and enemies, and the humanness of teachers, brought me back into memories of my own teenage years.

There was for me an element of complexity that added psychological depth to the story, flowing beneath the storyline itself. I resonated deeply with the authors ability to script Frankies coming-of-age maturity, as evidenced by her reactions to ordinary yet often intense life events; they are in counterpoint to the daring challenges that she takes on with new friends, those other-worldly beings.

One of the most moving scenes for me related to an unexpected, fascinating purpose for Frankies encounter: her ability to call forth a griffin from this parallel universe ends up serving her familys tragic circumstances in a unique mysterious way.

There are exhilarating scenes involving flight and deeply moving ones that relate to mystery. I consider the writing to be masterful; the story to be extraordinary.
1423603
An intricately woven novel of love, hate, greed, power and forgiveness  A Doomsday Tale was captivating from the first page.

Set in England during the 11th century, Maggie Garfield has created such richly defined characters that are true not only to the time period, but true to the intricacies and temperaments that she has created for them.  They leap from the page, grabbing your heart and mind until you find yourself completely enveloped in their story, cheering their victories and cursing their obstacles.

The world that is described around the characters and the story that is woven had me sitting for hours at a time, engrossed in this tale.  I highly recommend this book  and absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to continue following the story that has ignited a curiosity and passion for a time period which I previously had no knowledge or interest in.
4681779
THE MUSEUM HEIST is thoroughly enjoyable--well written, intricately plotted, with deftly and economically delineated characters.  For anyone familiar with the Boston area and in particular the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, there will be many recognizable scenes.  The narrative moves fluidly among different layers of history--ancient Greece (and Magna Graecia) as intimately known by a classical scholar, the more recent history of the actual (and I believe still unresolved) museum heist with a fictive overlay, and a tender and tasteful romance in present time.  The story is punctuated by unexpected turns of events and moments of danger, providing enough suspense to make readers hold their breath as complex and dark motivations unfold.  The subtle cadences of Kameel Nasr's prose are laced with ironic reflections on human existence, adding depth to the telling.  As the characters are buffeted by fate (and the fates in the person of others), will art and love prevail?
1371613
The characters here are fully imagined, and their relationships are complex. This novel occurs over a sweep of time, yet I continually felt close to each of the major characters. The narration alternates among the major characters, and each one has a distinct voice--which isn't always true in a novel structured this way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
91529
Reading this book made me feel like I'd been transported back in time. The words and phrases used take the reader to a time when everything for the upper and middle classes was so gentle.  They had no idea about the hardships of working life, sickness and poverty.  Even the insane were treated according to class and privilege.  Some gritty topics are discussed in this book, such as FGM, equality, women's rights and suffrage.  I would not have picked this genre before reading this book, but I was completely spellbound by the writing style.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story, which is beautifully written, gripping and interesting all at the same time.  I loved the characters and was immersed in the story.
775186
This book was purely captivating with a finely-spun story line and rich line-up of characters. The author's generous use of details allowed this reader to "see" the story as it unfolded in my mind's eye so that I felt as if I were walking right alongside Dooley. Hoping the sequel is in the works already so that readers can continue to follow the friendship and adventures of these two seemingly unlikely friends.
662949
Gently paced and peopled with complex, but all too human characters, this novel evokes it's setting with subtle strength. It meditates on how we direct or drift in our lives and relationships, revolving around a not-innocent prank. The writing is elegant and the settings beautifully and believably drawn. It drew me in and kept me reading, even while I was on a European vacation.
1242767
Once I started, I couldn't stop. The words and the plot held me spellbound
1002376
Unforgettable characters and a very textured narrative. So rich and thoughtfully rendered. The language was lyrical and beautiful. A terrific read.
4152043
I found myself very entangled with this group of characters- that's a good thing. I enjoyed the weaving of the story and through the vivid writing felt as though I was there, inside Myrna's apartment. While the story took place in various settings (NYC, Arizona, Morocco) it felt mostly deeply connected to the Upper West side of Manhattan. It really picked up for me in the second half as I became caught up in the familial intrigues and the events that unfolded. Lots of psychological insights to ponder on and have fun with.
566097
I thoroughly enjoyed this superb read!  Kutler's characters were sharply and realisticly drawn, each created in such an intriguing manner that I was compelled to continue reading to learn their futures.  Kutler's knowledge of historical events and details are commendable.  The plot was well crafted, and complexities were brilliantly woven together into a beautiful and peaceful conclusion. I highly recommend this fascinating novel to others.  Once begun, putting it aside is very difficult!
4966551
It was a pleasure to read this richly embroidered book as it weaves through time and back bringing it all together at the end without missing a beat. Reading it was like drinking a fine wine. It's character complex and has a solid body of textured prose throughout with a satisfying finish that genuinely made me sorry that it was over and the glass empty. I will be looking for more books by this author.  I have also read "Dead Edit Redo: a novella of horror and good medicine" by Elaine Stirling,  and was thrilled with this as well.
2265015
Well crafted and intricate plot with engaging characters. The author is exceptionally insightful to human nature from so many different perspectives and is able to captivate the reader's attention because of the realism of each character and the role they play in the story.
4977668
This book kept me glued to every word. Every character was intriguing and I just knew I had it figured out - but I didn't. Very well written and I'm looking forward to more from this author.