Review: Trail of Lightning (Sixth World #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

2 stars for Trail of Lightning (Sixth World book 1) by Rebecca Roanhorse.

All thanks to this book "Stranger with My Face" which I read in my early teens, I have always had an interest in stories related to the Diné or Navajo people and their culture. So when I chance upon this book, I know I just have to give it a go.

Set in the rich world of Dinétah, the traditional homeland of the Navajo tribe of Native Americans, the Dinés are isolated from the rest of the world by a 50 foot wall which is constructed to protect the population after the Energy Wars and the Big Water. Though the story is set in a relatively small geographical area, it feels vast and unexplored, with a network of towns and villages populated by a wide variety of inhabitants.

There are witches, monsters, magic, medicine, big medicine, guns and clan powers. I think that about sum up everything. I am intrigued by the first three chapters but thereafter, it seems like a Young Adult paranormal romance novel where the moves can easily be expected.

Perhaps I have read a lot of urban fantasy novels, or that my expectation has changed over the years, I find it hard to be impressed these days. So while I am fine enough to finish reading this book, I am not sure if I am invested enough to pick up the next one. I seriously hope this is not a sign that I have outgrown the world of the urban fantasy.

Review: The Rules of Magic (Practical Magic #0.5) by Alice Hoffman

Did Not Finish The Rules of Magic (Practical Magic book 0.5) by Alice Hoffman.

Once again, I did not finish reading the Practical Magic series, but it is not for lack of trying.

The story starts out well, in fact, more than just well. There is an air of mystics that coats the characters and I like to read on to unravel the mystery surrounding the three siblings, two sisters and a brother, who keep trying and failing to break away from their magical lineage. Alas, what is meant to be is bound to happen, whether they approve or not. What’s done cannot be undone. What’s set into motion takes on a life of its own... Does it not sound interesting? It certainly does.

Unfortunately, at more than halfway mark of the book, there is a twist to the story, a twist which I find unnecessary and thus, hard to accept. And with that, the whole story tumbles downhill. Fast. I struggle on some and then decide that enough is enough. 60%.

Review: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

3 stars for The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

I like this story; like it well enough to read it from the beginning to the end, but not enough to give it a high enough 5-star rating. Don't get me wrong. This is a good story, but just one which lacks the propensity to resonate with me.

To begin with, this novel is set in the South America, South Carolina, in 1964, the year of Civil Rights Act and intensifying racial unrest. It is set in a time and place which can not have been more different from the one I am from. As if this is not enough, there is the Virgin Mary or rather the Black Mary story, a story within the story which I did not enjoy reading on.

Regardless of setting and religious connotation, the Secret Life of Bees is a touching story that explores life's wounds, uncovers the deeper meaning of home and shows us the way to come to terms with the past. To live and let live.