Mrs England by Stacey Halls

In the early 1900s Ruby May takes up a position as nurse to the four young children of Mr and Mrs England, and finds that all is not as it seems in their Yorkshire house. There is a gothic feel of mystery and menace that shifts as Ruby finds out more about the England family, and her own secrets are revealed. Perhaps a touch slow to begin with, the pace picked up around the middle and raced towards the end. I found the character development lacking, for my own taste, and that kept me from emotional investment in the story, but there were (slight) Jane Eyre feels, and an atmospheric tale of power, control, and women’s lives in Edwardian England.

Shadow of night by Deborah Harkness

The second book in a trilogy is often the weakest, and while I haven’t yet read the third, I did find the beginning of this one slow and confusing. Diana and Matthew, needing to escape their present, travel back in time to 1590 looking for a mysterious book, and someone to help Diana learn more about herself as a witch. This isn’t my favourite period of history, but once they moved out of Oxford, spending time in France, London, and Prague, I did find it fascinating. There are plenty of elements of paranormal romance, and they seemed to know or become involved with every person of note in the period, but the historic and scientific detail was engrossing, and I am looking forward to wrapping the story up in the final book.

From the ashes by Deborah Challinor

It was a pleasure to delve into the lives of New Zealanders in the 50s/60s. This story is about Anna who has to move to Auckland with her family after loosing the family farm. Next door is Colleen with 3 daughters. Add to the mix are Kura and Wiki, Anna’s cousins, and their large families. Getting to know these woman and their struggles and joys was enjoyable and allowed Deborah to explore so many topics; racism, trauma, ageing, marriage, death, abortion, work and society.

The Swallows’ flight by Hilary McKay

This is a companion novel to the lovely, middle grade WWI story, The Skylarks’ War. We follow a number of characters, children, adults, a dog, English and German, in the years leading up to and through WWII. It is, I think, a little less dark than the first; a moving, thought-provoking look at the impact of both world wars on individuals, families, communities and countries. Sweet, gently sad, funny, and hopeful.

Raft of stars by Andrew Graff

Two boys are on the run from a small town in Wisconsin. The story builds as we follow them through the wilderness. But the story is more than that, the lives of those who are searching for the boys are also explored. A beautifully told story that made me care and hope for everyone’s happy ending.

Girl by Edna O’Brien

Edna O’Brien travelled to Nigeria, and did a great amount of research into the abduction of the girls from their school, by Boko Haram, and this is the fictional result. We experience the extraordinary atrocities with Maryam, and her struggles to find a place for herself and her baby, once they escape. I found it hard going, as it was so horrific, and there was very little hope, even once they were free. The writing style was interesting, dispassionate, spare, and as a result it wasn’t greatly affecting, but it will stay with me.

A discovery of witches by Deborah Harkness

I have heard this described as the thinking woman’s Twilight, and there is much to commend that description. It is long, descriptive, full of historical detail, and peopled with interesting and compelling, rather than annoying, characters. Yes, the romance is similarly problematic if you think about it, but far less eye-roll-inducing, and the settings (Oxford, especially the Bodleian Library, a French chateau, and upstate New York) are beautiful and atmospheric. It’s a significant time commitment, each of the three books is hefty, but so far it has been worth it.

The curlew’s eye by Karen Manton

A family returns to the Northern Territory to prepare it for sale. It is Joel’s family property. From the beginning you get the sense that something bad has happened here. Amongst the steamy Territory landscape the story unravels. But Joel isn’t the only one with a dreadful past, his wife Greta also has to deal with her past while piecing together Joel’s. This was an eerie read – curlew calls, a poisoned lake, a vivid tropical landscape, and strange neighbours. It all sounds like it would make for a great read, but I did not connect with the family, so left me a bit disappointed.

Remote control by Nnedi Okorafor

A lot folktale, a little science fiction, Remote Control is set in Ghana, possibly in the near future. Fatima loves to write ‘sky words’ at the base of her backyard Shea tree, and one day is sent a special seed in a shower of meteors, which changes everything and sees her travelling Ghana as the adopted child of the Angel of Death. Extraordinarily imaginative, perceptive about humanity, gentle, and yet powerful.

The clockwork dagger by Beth Cato

A steampunk adventure/romance. Octavia has an extraordinary gift as a healer and on her way to a town needing her help she discovers there are threats on her life. Who can she trust? Quite a different read for me, but good to be immersed in a different world – a blend of science, nature, magic and belief.