I was absolutely thrilled to love this book as much as I did. Less steampunk, more wizards and magic, but still with really fun writing.

I definitely agree, and to me it feels like a mix of Parasol Protectorate and the Paths of Shadow books.

I picked this up during a kindle sale after Gail Carriger said (or was told) that this book is similar to hers, specifically the Parasol Protectorate series. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones 5/5 Stars There are so many worlds (literally and figuratively) and I was delightfully surprised by the reveals. All the characters felt real which made me even more invested. I am impressed at how unique this book is: it is fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and more all at the same time and it works beautifully. The more I try to review the book the more I feel I should lower my rating, so I’ll end with saying it is written well and mostly an enjoyable read but doesn’t have much of a point for existing. This book really felt most like something for someone looking for more insight into Alice Waters. The vocabulary used is quite extensive and pretentious (I’ll admit I’m jealous and would have looked up several words if I was able to while listening to the audiobook). Her upbringing was so different from my own that I would have actually liked to read more about her life that didn’t revolve around her mom, as almost all of the stories in this book do. If you remove her mom from the picture, Fanny is a very well educated, west coast born-and-raised millennial from an affluent family. I don’t think anyone outside of these two categories would have an interest in or appreciate this book. I get why people wouldn’t like this book and I feel it is for a very narrow audience: firstly for Fanny’s family and friends, secondly for anyone with an interest in her mom, Alice Waters. The audiobook is read by Fanny and she does a wonderful job) about someone’s life that is so different from my own. I did enjoy reading it and it was interesting reading (okay, listening. I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.Īlways Home: A Daughter’s Recipes & Stories by Fanny Singer 4/5 Stars It is left open enough for another book but I think an epilogue would be a better fit. I think this would have been a great book to do multiple points of view in and would have liked to see more from Eden and Bell. There are a few things at the end that are conveniently, magically “fixed” that seemed like an easy way out for the author. I didn’t love Holly, Wendy’s granddaughter, or her mother, Jane, but I did like the uniqueness of the rest of the characters and story. I love a modern retelling of a classic tale, especially if it is made more real or gritty. Darling Girl: A Novel of Peter Pan by Liz Michalski 4/5 Stars

Dellawisps