A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

THE FABLED EARTH (DNF Book Review)

The Fabled Earth is another book that I hate sticking in my DNF pile. The premise of this novel really drew me in, and its beautiful cover art sealed the deal. This historical fiction/women’s fiction work by Kimberly Brock contains good writing and a good story, but it just didn't have enough oomph to keep me turning the pages.    What’s The Fabled Earth about? This novel packs a LOT into its pages. The Fabled Earth has two timelines that...

IN THE GARDEN OF MONSTERS Book Review

Tartlets, prepare yourself for ALL the things with In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King. I could not put down this novel that blends historical fiction, fantasy, Greek and Roman mythology, Gothic horror, and so much more into an amazing read.   What’s In the Garden of Monsters about? In the Garden of Monsters follows Julia, a 1940s art model who takes a job posing as the goddess Persephone for famed artist Salvador Dali. Julia, Dali,...

THE JINN DAUGHTER (DNF Book Review)

I feel super bad that I’m placing The Jinn Daughter in my DNF column. Because I really don’t think it belongs there. You know what? It doesn’t belong there. There are a lot of things about this book that I really enjoyed. I just didn’t enjoy them enough. **cringe**   What’s The Jinn Daughter about? The Jinn Daughter embraces Middle Eastern mythology and folklore to tell us a story about a jinn – a genie tasked with helping souls...

THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE Book Review

Many thanks to those of you (there were many!) who told me to read The Bear and the Nightingale. Extra special thanks goes to those who pointed out that I should do so during wintertime. You were spot on about this.   What’s The Bear and the Nightingale about? The Bear and the Nightingale beautifully weaves together historical fiction and fantasy, truth and fable, new religion and old world magic. There are princes and peasants, house elves...

THE BONE HOUSES Book Review

The Bone Houses has one of the best first lines I've ever read: "The evening air smelled pleasantly of a fresh grave." I mean, come on. HOW CAN YOU NOT GET SUCKED IN BY THAT? Talk about imagery. Take notes, fellow writers. This is just one example of author Emily Lloyd-Jones's beautiful writing in this young adult historical fiction/ fantasy / horror novel mash-up.   What's The Bone Houses about? The Bone Houses follows Ryn, a...

CIRCE Book Review

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve finally read the Goodreads Readers’ Choice Best Fantasy book of 2018: Circe, by Madeline Miller. And, it only took me until halfway through 2019 to post my book review of it. I usually don’t read fantasy, which is a bit ironic considering that the novel I’ve written is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. But, I love stories based on religion and mythology, particularly ones that create backstories for...