Book Review: The Council of Twelve by Oliver Pötzsch

**I received a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I have said it before, but this is such a unique series! This is book #7 in The Hangman's Daughter series. I read only the 1st book before I read this one. I still plan on tucking into the rest of them. But point being, you can still make it through if you haven't read them all.

They keep you riveted. And this felt like a 2-for-1 deal. There were 2 mysteries happening here - the murdered girls being the biggest, of course!

I think it's interesting the hangmen have their guild meeting in Munich, Germnay! People treat them with such distaste, and yet they are a professional group of men.

Anyway, still a great story dealing with the reality that was the 1600s while trying to be a mystery novel. I love it!

Book Review: The Glass Magician

by: Charlie N. Holmberg

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I selected this book because I had previously gotten The Paper Magician from Amazon as one of those early free books for Prime Members. I really didn't think I'd like it, but hey, always judge a book by it's cover, right?

I started reading The Paper Magician first, so I would be prepared for The Glass Magician. I'm not always a big paranormal fan. I swear it was I was dragging myself kicking and screaming into that book. Next thing I know, I'm halfway through and nothing can stop me. I did suffer the next day.

I finished that in one day. Then I immediately opened up The Glass Magician. I was so happy to see it continue the story of Ceony (rhymes with peony) and Emory. See, in the first book Ceony is assigned to Emory as his apprentice to train in the magic of paper. And is she ever mad about that. But the visual descriptions, the things that Emory teaches her are just so delicate and beautiful. As is the man himself. Kind of weird but smart and so kind, with a good sense of humor.

Now she is even more in love with Emory, and I have to admit I'm following suit. He's so sweet. In the first book he noticed she was sad about leaving her dog behind, because of his allergies. He stays up all night and crafts her an animated dog out of paper. He doesn't give her grief about being afraid of water, and he respects her wishes when she doesn't want to talk about something - even if she really, really should.

The thing she did in the first book has come back to haunt her in this one. Her life and those she loves are in the greatest danger. She is powerless, and hates that feeling. I can understand that.

What I love is that she's not a wimpy damsel in distress, but when she is told to stay put, she listens. She makes mistakes, but she admits when she is wrong and tries to do the right thing. She's a great character, I hope there will be more.

Oh and most importantly - this is the 2nd book in a series. I'm unsure how long it will be, but do yourself a favor - read The Paper Magician first. You might make it through, but knowing what happens in the first book will help you understand this one.

Book Review: Yellow Crocus

by: Laila Ibrahim

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Mattie was never truly mine. That knowledge must have filled me as quickly and surely as the milk from her breasts. Although my family ‘owned’ her, although she occupied the center of my universe, her deepest affections lay elsewhere. So along with the comfort of her came the fear that I would lose her some day. This is our story...

So begins Lisbeth Wainwright’s compelling tale of coming-of-age in antebellum Virginia. Born to white plantation owners but raised by her enslaved black wet nurse, Mattie, Lisbeth’s childhood unfolds on the line between two very different worlds. Growing up under the tender care of Mattie, Lisbeth adopts her surrogate mother’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring. In time, Lisbeth realizes she has freedoms and opportunities that Mattie does not have, though she’s confined by the societal expectations placed on women born to privilege. As Lisbeth grows up, she struggles to reconcile her love for her caregiver with her parents’ expectations, a task made all the more difficult as she becomes increasingly aware of the ugly realities of the American slavery system. When Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Lisbeth realizes she must make a choice, one that will require every ounce of the courage she learned from her beloved Mattie. This compelling historical novel is a richly evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption set during one of the most sinister chapters of American history.

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This is a book about a girl and her "mammy" - which is funny because the girl never thinks of it that way. Her mother calls it that. But Mattie is really Lisbeth's main caretaker, her mother. I don't care what they say, Mattie breastfed that girl and cared for her until she was around twelve.

Lisbeth loves Mattie with all her heart, and enjoys sharing her learning time with Mattie's son. But she lives a charmed life and doesn't fully grasp the ramifications of slavery until she catches her own fiance with a slave girl. She is then heart-sick. What to do?

This story broke my heart several times, but it's beautifully written. Maybe it didn't always end this way, but how many families had slaves raising their children? And to then tell yourself that you are doing the slaves a favor because they are simple minded and irresponsible like children? Then why are they running YOUR household and raising YOUR children???

It brings up many good points. The author points out that slavery is something that still happens today, although it's hidden from public view.

Aside from the politics of slavery, the story of Mattie and Lisbeth is irresistible. Lisbeth loves her so much, Mattie is the person she wants when she is hurt or scared. Mattie loves Lisbeth as well, but she has her own children and husband to worry about as well. You just don't know what is going to happen from one part of the story to the next.