Book Review - The Collaborators by Michael Idov

 

The Collaborators by Michael Idov is an espionage thriller that follows disillusioned CIA officer Ari Falk and LA heiress Maya Chou as they unravel a deadly conspiracy linking post-Soviet Russia and Western intelligence. Ari is left adrift after the death of his best asset and finds himself uncertain about his future. Meanwhile, Maya grows concerned when her Russian-American billionaire father goes missing. The two join forces to find him, only to uncover a much larger and more dangerous plot.

The spy thriller is fast-paced, filled with action, and features a large cast of characters moving in multiple directions, which can be difficult to follow. I thought it was an okay read, but I didn’t feel particularly invested in the characters. While it had its moments, I wouldn’t go out of my way to read more books by this author.

Book Review - If I Live by Terri Blackstock

 

If I Live by Terri Blackstock follows Casey, a woman on the run for a crime she didn’t commit. Still wanted in connection with a murder, Casey is running out of places to hide—her face is all over the news, and it’s only a matter of time before she’s either captured or killed by those hunting her. Dylan Roberts, the investigator who was once assigned to bring her in, now believes in her innocence. He becomes Casey’s only hope for finding justice.

This is the final book in the series. While it can technically be read as a standalone, I wouldn’t recommend it. I felt like I was missing a lot of character development and story context by not reading the previous books. My review should be taken with a grain of salt, as this was the only installment I read.

Personally, I found that the book focused more on religious themes than I would have liked. I didn’t connect with any of the characters—they felt one-dimensional, and there were too many to keep track of. The plot lacked unexpected twists or turns, and the romance felt clean but featured hints of insta-love, which didn’t appeal to me.

Book Review - Dying Inside by Pete Wentz

 

Dying Inside by Pete Wentz is a graphic novel about a sixteen-year-old girl named Ash who is tired of living. Ash is chronically depressed and believes that death would be the quickest and easiest route to relief. However, she wants her finale to be memorable—something more than just a "lame" death. She decides to buy a beautiful knife to end her life.

But the knife turns out to be enchanted with a protection spell that prevents Ash from harming herself. Determined, she sets out to find the witch who sold her the defective weapon. That witch turns out to be another depressed sixteen-year-old girl named Liv. Together, the two girls decide to find a way to undo the protection spell so Ash can fulfill her death wish.

The graphic novel is an interesting and engaging read, balancing serious themes with moments of humor. Because it deals with topics like self-harm and suicidal ideation, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. I initially picked up this graphic novel because Pete Wentz wrote it, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I would definitely read more graphic novels by these authors.

Book Review - In The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by Rina Raphael

 

In The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by journalist Rina Raphael examines the wellness industry and reveals how it exploits women's desires for control and well-being through manipulative marketing and pseudoscientific claims. With the rise of social media and influencer culture, women are pursuing their health like never before. Regardless of the trends, there is something for everyone. 

The industry has grown into a $4.4 trillion behemoth from its modest roots. The wellness industry promises health and vitality in an accessible way. Behind the layers of clever marketing lies a market that offers women something more than just health alone; it promises them the one thing they desire: control.

The book was an interesting read, and it made me re-evaluate some of my habits. For example, I would see a trend promoted by a popular influencer, and I wouldn’t even consider the research they were basing that claim on, or if they were just trying to sell something. It reinforced and reminded me to look at claims critically and do my own research before believing that something is true.

While I enjoyed portions of the book, I felt it could use more clarity. A few times, I wondered what the relevance was for a story the author brought up. I felt the ending left me unsure if the author was suggesting that people be wary of the wellness culture or to avoid it altogether. I also felt that the book jumped around a lot, making it hard to keep track of what was said and how everything is related. I appreciated parts of the book, and I will be more cautious about health claims without evidence to support them. However, I wish the author hadn’t criticized women to convey her point. While I would be open to reading another book by the author, I probably wouldn’t if it’s on the same topic or about the same industry.  

 

Book Review - If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry

 

 

 

If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry is about two young women who discover one of them has a supernatural and deadly gaze that can turn someone to stone, and the aftermath of the discovery of their abilities. In autumn 1888, Jack the Ripper is on the run, and the London police are closing in on their suspect. Jack decides to flee to England and to New York City in order to seek new victims and to get away from the scrutiny. The primal force of female vengeance had had enough of the violence against women. It has taken the form of Medusa, with hair of serpents and a fearsome gaze, and it’s on the hunt for Jack.

Tabitha and Pearl are volunteers in the Salvation Army. They spend their time trying to fundraise and help the needy. One day, they come across a newcomer who asks for directions. After helping the young girl, they come across her again, only to realize that the girl has been forced to work in the local brothel.

Pearl and Tabitha feel that they should help her. However, they are unsure how to go about it as they have different personalities and ideas. Tabitha is a girl from upstate who has a wry humor and a thirst for adventure. Pearl is a farm girl who is very pious and serious. As they plan their rescue mission, they find their paths crossing and entwining with Medusa’s and Jack’s.

I was very excited to read this novel. It had everything I could want to read: Jack the Ripper, Medusa, murder and mystery, and strong female leads. However, I found this book to be very boring and confusing. I found it to be all over the place, and it was hard to follow along at times. I felt like nothing was happening page after page. I would have liked it if the author had edited down the novel to only have one storyline instead of having multiple ones at the same time, as I don’t think most of the characters or storylines were well fleshed out. I might be open to reading more books by the author, but I wouldn’t go out of my way.

 Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.