Book Review - Cast, Catch, Release: Finding Serenity and Purpose by Marina Gibson

 

Cast, Catch, Release: Finding Serenity and Purpose by Marina Gibson is a memoir where Marina shares the rekindling of her childhood passion for fly fishing and discovering a greater life purpose. On her twenty-first birthday, Marina’s parents offered her a choice between two gifts: jewelry or fishing rods. Marina decided to pick up the fishing rods and reconnect with a childhood passion and family tradition initiated by her mother. She has fond memories of fishing with her family in the rivers of the Scottish Highlands.

As Marina focused more on fishing, she wanted it to become a full-time career. She enjoys the silent moments of angling and the mysteries of the river. The rituals of casting have provided her a sanctuary for her failing marriage and a sense of comfort for her mind and soul.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I’ve been trying to read more books outside my comfort zone, and this was one of my recent picks. The book had some interesting moments, but it wasn’t something I would read again.

Marina is a talented angler, as is evident from her technically dense writing. The book is divided into three sections: cast, catch, and release. Each chapter also has three parts: a technical fishing story, the biology behind salmon, and a personal story. I liked the personal stories the most. I found the background on salmon to be quite interesting. I didn’t realize that salmon have so many life stages and different migration patterns. The fishing stories were somewhat interesting but often over my head, as Marina used many technical terms I wasn’t familiar with. I’ve never been fishing, so many of the terms were new to me, and my eyes glazed over during that part of the book. While it isn’t a bad book, I think people who enjoy fishing or have experience with it might find it more engaging than I did, as none of the personal experiences shared offered insights that could be applicable to me.

Book Review - Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland

 

Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland follows a young woman, Annie Fairfax, as she navigates dangerous waters to break a centuries-old curse that has haunted her family. The people of Kirkrell have long feared the finfolk—bloodthirsty fae who haunt the seas, cursing those who cross them and their bloodlines. These sea-dwellers are known for sinking the ships of those who hunt the magical whales. The magic from the whales has brought prosperity to Kirkrell.

Nineteen-year-old Annie inherited her family’s business, the Fairfax Whaling Company, after the tragic death of her parents. Although the family has been successful, their fortune comes with a dark cost: they are cursed to slowly turn into monsters if they experience heartbreak. Since her parents’ deaths six years ago, Annie has begun to grow scales that creep up her arms, and claws have started to emerge from her fingertips.

Her fiancé, August, has been a steadying presence in her life—until she hears rumors that he plans to take over her company. After learning this, her curse intensifies, growing stronger with each passing day. Annie begins to fear that her time may be running out.

When she discovers that Silas Price—a young captain who is half-finfolk, half-human—might be able to help, she jumps at the chance. Silas promises to take her to the finfolk queen who can lift the curse, but only if Annie agrees to end whaling forever.

As they sail north, Annie struggles with the promise she’s made. She’s determined to find a way to cure herself without ending the whaling that sustains her city. But as she hesitates and begins to backpedal, she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. Her feelings for August begin to fade, while her connection with Silas deepens. Torn between duty and desire, Annie feels the weight of her responsibility as the heir to the company. But as her curse worsens, she must face an impossible question: will she choose to save herself or preserve her family’s legacy?

I found this novel to be an interesting read. The writing style was engaging and made it easy to feel transported into Annie’s world. The book started off strong, though I found the middle section a bit slow. It did pick up again toward the end, but I was expecting a more satisfying conclusion—only to realize it’s part of a series. That said, I’m definitely curious to see what happens next, especially with the cliffhanger ending.

I especially enjoyed the scenes with Annie, her siblings, Silas, and his cursed crew. I wish we had learned more about each crew member’s curse and how it affected the story. Their dynamic reminded me of one of my favorite pirate crews, the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece. While some parts of the book were repetitive and a bit slow, I still enjoyed the overall experience and would be open to continuing the series.

Book Review - Madga The Big Tournament by Nicolas Wouters

Madga The Big Tournament by Nicolas Wouters follows a twelve-year-old named Madga competing in a galaxy-wide children’s cooking competition called the Intergalactic Cooking Tournament. Madga was born on Azuki, a tiny moon planet renowned for its incredible plant life, especially broccoli. Madga is a bit of a messy child, but she is a talented chef who creates unique and delicious dishes. Kids all over the galaxy hope to win a chance to compete in the challenge. The prize is Nectar, a precious resource that can reshape worlds and save dying ones. As Madga participates in the competition, she uncovers something sinister at play.

It took me a while to get into the graphic novel. I didn’t really like the drawing style. I felt like the graphic novel needed more world-building details because everything was new. As someone who loves cooking shows, I would have preferred it if they used real food ingredients and techniques instead of imaginary ones. I think that would have made me more invested in the story. I also sometimes felt unsure about where the story was heading, and there were elements that didn’t add much to the narrative. Unfortunately, it ended on a cliffhanger, but I am in no rush to find out what happens next.  

 

Book Review - These Savage Shores by V. Ram

 

These Savage Shores by V. Ram is about an ancient shape-shifting Rakshasa named Bishan who takes on a great evil that comes to his homeland. In 1766, India, after the Anglo-Mysore war, the East India Company sought to expand its interests in India. The company sent a vampire to help secure its position. He hopes to make India his new home and hunting ground. Little does he know that something much older and more dangerous is also in India, and it doesn’t like it when someone tries to take over its territory.

I thought the graphic novel had beautiful illustrations. The story was entertaining, but there were a few times I was confused about what was happening. I think there were many side stories happening that didn’t come together very cohesively. I would have preferred if the graphic novel had focused on one main storyline and developed it more thoroughly. I would be open to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - The Beachside Bed and Breakfast by Hope Ramsay

 

In The Beachside Bed and Breakfast by Hope Ramsay, widowed innkeeper Ashley Howland Scott, who is raising her young son, Jackie, and mourning her husband’s death, finds unexpected romance and healing. Ashley inherited the inn, the Howland House, and the adjacent Rose Cottage from her grandmother. Like her grandmother, Ashley hosts weekly meetings for the local quilting club, where the latest gossip is shared.

Micah St. Pierre is the new minister and the latest target of the gossip. Before joining their church, he was a Navy Chaplain for a decade, and his combat experience made him question his faith. He also feels guilty for abandoning his younger brothers and father when they needed him. The quilting club believes that if Micah finds a wife, he will feel better and that it will solve his problems. The club has a list of available women they think would be a good match for him. Ashley finds Micah attractive, but after her husband’s death, she has closed off her heart to finding someone. However, she worries that Jackie needs a male role model, and she wonders if Micah might be the right one for both of them.

The book is the fifth in the series but can be read as a standalone. I struggled to connect with the characters because I felt like I didn’t really get to know them; I felt like I was missing something. If I had read all the other books in the series, I might not have missed some character nuances. I also thought the pacing was a bit slow. I was confused about why they added a supernatural side story, as I found it odd to include that. It might have been better without the supernatural element, focusing more on grief and letting go. The novel is a clean, cozy romance with some closed-door scenes.