April 2020 Reads
The Deep by Alma Katsu
SPOILERS: First off, The Deep. Every time I see that title I think of the Amazon Prime show, The Boys. Anyway…so, the Titanic. Never really been all that interested in it but hey, this book promised mysterious, perhaps supernatural forces at work onboard during the doomed maiden voyage of the unsinkable ship that sank. So, why not, give it a go. The book jumps back and forth between the Titanic voyage in 1912 and into 1916 and it’s sister ship the Britannic, which has been transformed into a hospital ship for wounded soldiers during World War I. The central character that ties the ships together is a young Irish woman, Annie Hebbley. The troubled Hebbley is fleeing her home and boarding first the Titanic as a maid and servant to the rich and elite (Astor, Guggenheim for example), then as a nurse on board the Britannic. Annie has fled a scandal without a word to her family and quickly settles into life on Titanic getting to know it’s wealthy passengers and in particular the handsome Mark Fletcher….and his wife Caroline and their daughter. Annie is not only infatuated with Mark, she is obsessed with his daughter and an unusual urge to keep her safe. Forward a few years and Annie has left a mental institution, which she entered after the Titanic disaster and is right back out to sea on the Britannic. By some miraculous coincidence Mark, who survived Titanic sinking as well, is loaded onto the hospital ship after being wounded. He is less than happy to see Annie and from there the story starts to unfold, jumping back and forth through time and telling the story of Annie, her mysterious past, as well as the other guests. Oh and there are some odd things and odd behaviours (drugs will do that) that are explained in the end.
Final Thoughts: Could have been better if the main character wasn’t so awkward…is that the word. I’m not sure if you are supposed to sympathize with her situation and how she ends up on the Titanic but she just wasn’t that interesting. I found the lives of the other passengers more interesting and all of their dirty secrets fun to read. This would be rated 3 out of 5 sea witches. It’s ok but just ok.
Proven Guilty – Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #8)
Cannot believe I have read 8 of these books. Longest series I have ever read and it is taking awhile. The thing with the Dresden books is that you need a break in between each one because they all sort of start to run together after awhile. And that’s not meant in a negative way. Old Harry can get a bit predicable in what he does, his moral code and the descriptions which are repetitive but I suppose necessary if you haven’t read from the beginning – Bob and the beetle repeat. Again, not bad but certainly a reason for taking a break between books. So, Proven Guilty find Harry settling into his role as a Warden for the White Council, though settling in is not the best way to describe it, more like accepting it but not happy about some of the responsibilities. The gist of the story is that Harry comes to the aid of a damsel in distress (not just any damsel, the Knight of Cross’ daughter), he gets beat up, he doesn’t sleep, he partners with Thomas, Murphy and the special guests.
Final Thoughts: Again, it’s a similar formula to the other books but that is not a bad thing. It does get a little icky when Harry talks about the body of a 17 year old girl, I get he’s ‘lonely’ but still, no. What I do enjoy is the ever unfolding lore of Dresden’s world. It is a huge world that Butcher has built and is continuing to build and filled with interesting characters and fascinating creatures. If you have read the first 7 why stop now. They are certainly getting better and Mouse is the best.
Dawning Creates 