In my attempt to remedy the #bookwormproblems I shared earlier this month, I've been trying to read books set in more unusual locations than England. Here are six of the books I've read this month!
- Strange Shores*
(Iceland) :: Inspector Erlendur is vacationing in his isolated childhood village in the eastern part of Iceland, and becomes obsessed with the story of a woman who vanished into a blizzard 60 years earlier. Not my favorite from Arnaldur Indridason (I missed all the normal side characters from Erlendur's normal life in Reykjavik), but it was still enjoyable. Rating: 3 out of 5
- In The Company Of Cheerful Ladies
(Botswana) :: Precious Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni have been married for a few months now. Mma Ramotswe is investigating a Zambian thief and Mr. Matekoni is having trouble with his apprentices. Light and enjoyable just like the rest of the series. Rating: 4 out of 5
- Ruin and Rising
(Ravka, a country much like Imperial Russia) :: It's time for Alina to use her Sun Summoning powers to save Ravka from the Darkling. She and her childhood friend Mal and a band of fellow Grisha (magicians), are on a quest to find an amplifier to strengthen her power so that they can return Prince Nikolai to his throne (which the Darkling stole). I liked this one, although I was kind of hoping the love triangle (love rhombus?) would end differently. Rating: 4 out of 5
- Blade of the Samurai
(feudal Japan) :: More on this one on Monday. Come back for my full review (and a giveaway!).
- The Lost Hero
(Camp Half-Blood, New York) :: This one is set in various locations across the US too, as three teenage demi-gods: Jason, Piper, and Leo, set out to save Hera, who is being held captive. The gods have shut themselves up in Mt. Olympus, so the kids are on their own as they battle evil storm spirits and cyclopes and giants. I missed Percy Jackson, but I hear he's back in book 2 of this series! Rating: 4 out of 5
- The Long Way Home
* (Quebec) :: Chief Inspector Gamache has retired, but when his friend Clara asks him to help find her missing husband, Gamache is obliged to go searching across Quebec with her. I've listened to most of this series on audiobook - but I read an advance copy of this one. Maybe that's why I didn't like it as well as I usually like Louise Penny's books? Rating: 3 out of 5
What places have YOU been visiting? (Via book, or in real life!)
This post contains my affiliate links. The starred titles are to review for Shelf Awareness - so they haven't actually been published yet.
