Books matching: historical flashbacks
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- #1
Save:'Discord's Apple' by Carrie Vaughn is a gripping urban fantasy novel that weaves together a tale of a family charged with guarding a Storeroom of magical artifacts, including Discord's apple. The story follows protagonist Evie as she navigates a dystopian near-future United States while uncovering her family's ancient responsibilities. Vaughn's writing skillfully combines elements of mythology, modern-day crises, and a touch of comic book storytelling to create a compelling narrative that spans across time and perspectives.
Evie Walker, a comic book writer facing personal and global challenges, discovers a hidden world within her family's legacy, leading her on a journey that intertwines past fables with present-day struggles. With a mix of relatable characters, intricate plotlines, and a touch of the fantastical, 'Discord's Apple' offers a unique and engaging reading experience that surprises and captivates readers until the very end.
Close to town, bells and candy canes made of faded tinsel decorated the telephone poles. The same decorations had hung on the poles every year for as long as Evie could remember; they had no sparkle l... - #2
Save:'Up Jumps the Devil' by Michael Poore is a clever and original story that delves into the character of the Devil himself. The book follows the Devil, also known as John Scratch, through history as he interacts with various individuals, including General Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and a young band who sell their souls for fame. The narrative jumps around in time, mixing history, mythology, and fiction in a twisted and hilarious manner. Poore's writing style is described as funny, wry, sacrilegious, and occasionally moving, with a unique blend of history and inventive storytelling.
The plot of the book revolves around the Devil's interactions with humanity, his Faustian bargains, and his observations about the human condition in a celebrity-obsessed culture. The Devil's character is portrayed as complex and intriguing, with a focus on his relationships with both individuals and society over the centuries. The writing style of the book is noted for its ability to change readers' perspectives on the Devil, combining humor, cleverness, and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged.
The guests were always different, and always kind of the same. They might be rich or poor. They were always surprised by the lights and cameras. They always seemed a little scared of John Scratch, who... - #3
Save:Chasm City is a standalone novel set in Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe. The story follows Tanner Mirabel, a man seeking revenge against the killer of his former employer, as he navigates through a complex and gritty world filled with body modifications, a cyber biotic plague, and mysterious memories induced by a virus. The narrative weaves together multiple plot threads, exploring themes of memory, identity, and shared pain in a future society. The book features intricate world-building, unexpected twists, and a mix of space opera and cyberpunk elements.
"And that's a problem?" I brought our wheeler to near-halt, then parked it amongst a motley row of vehicles lining one side of the street. I dropped the stabilisers, the overheated turbine smelling li...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Revelation Space ) "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer follows the journey of Oskar, a young boy trying to make sense of his father's death in the 9/11 attacks. Through a unique writing style and multiple narrators, the book explores themes of loss, grief, and healing as Oskar embarks on a quest to find the lock that fits a key he found amongst his father's belongings. The story is set in post-9/11 New York City, intertwining past events like the bombing of Dresden with the present-day tragedy, creating a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.
The book is praised for its use of quirky characters, innovative storytelling techniques, and the emotional depth it brings to the topic of coping with the aftermath of a tragic event. Readers appreciate the way Foer delves into Oskar's world, combining humor and pathos in a manner that resonates with them. The inclusion of drawings, alternating chapters, and different points of view adds a multimedia experience to the narrative, making it a captivating and impactful read.
What about a teakettle? What if the spout opened and closed when the steam came out, so it would become a mouth, and it could whistle pretty melodies, or do Shakespeare, or just crack up with me? I co...- #5
Save:'The Other Black Girl' by Zakiya Dalila Harris is a novel that delves into the challenges of promotion within a small organization, shedding light on institutional racism and the various ways individuals navigate and confront the system. The story follows Nella, a Black woman working in a predominantly white publishing company, who welcomes a new Black coworker, Hazel, only to discover that Hazel's intentions are not what they seem. As the plot unfolds, secrets, betrayals, and manipulations come to light, intertwining themes of race, ambition, and workplace politics. The narrative weaves together elements of satire, psychological thriller, and speculative fiction, keeping readers engaged as the characters navigate issues of identity and self-worth in a cutthroat industry.
The book explores themes of competition, betrayal, and the complexities of racial dynamics in the workplace, offering a thought-provoking commentary on the challenges faced by Black professionals in predominantly white spaces. Through a mix of real-world scenarios and elements of magical realism, the author presents a nuanced portrayal of the struggles and tensions that arise when ambition clashes with integrity, and when individuals are forced to confront the realities of systemic racism while navigating personal ambitions and professional relationships.
When it initially crept around the wall of her cubicle, Nella was too busy filing a stack of pages at her desk, aligning each and every one so that the manuscript was perfectly flush. She was so inten... - #6
Save:The Redbreast is a complex mystery thriller set in present-day Norway, delving into the roots of WWII. The story intertwines past and present, focusing on characters involved in Norway's history during the war. Inspector Harry Hole gets entangled in a mystery related to WWII events, involving betrayal, heartbreak, and a fast-paced narrative filled with suspense and historical depth. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and self-deception against the backdrop of Norway's role in WWII, with a plot that unfolds through various perspectives and time shifts.
A GREY BIRD GLIDED IN AND OUT OF HARRY’S FIELD OF vision. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Slow time. Somebody had been talking about ‘slow time’ on TV yesterday. This was slow time. Like...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Harry Hole ) - #7
Save:"The Hidden Child" by Camilla Lackberg revolves around Erica Falck, who discovers her deceased mother's diaries from her teenage years, leading to the uncovering of a mysterious Nazi medal and a blood-stained baby dress. As Erica delves into her mother's past, she uncovers a dark history involving friends from her mother's childhood, wartime secrets, and a series of murders that connect to the present day. The story intertwines past and present, blending elements of mystery, history, and family dynamics in the Swedish seaside village of Fjallbacka.
The narrative follows the investigation led by Patrik Hedstrom, the head of homicide investigations, and his wife Erica, who is a crime novelist. delves into themes of war, friendship, family secrets, and the impact of past events on present-day lives, all while maintaining a believable and engaging storyline that keeps readers guessing until the end.
- #8
Save:'The Unsung Hero' by Suzanne Brockmann is a romantic suspense story that follows injured Navy SEAL Tom Paoletti as he returns home to heal and reconnects with old high school friend Kelly, who is now a doctor. The plot unfolds over seven days, intertwining two love stories set in present time and in 1944 France at the end of WWII. The narrative involves multiple relationships and characters, including Navy SEALs, FBI agents, and private anti-terrorism operatives, with a focus on the themes of sacrifice, love, and heroism. The writing style includes multiple points of view, flashbacks, and a blend of suspense, romance, and emotional depth.
The humidity would lift, Tom knew, as he headed toward the tiny NorthShore community of Baldwin’s Bridge. The stiff ocean breezes kept the temperature down and the skies blue in the picture-perfect to... - #9
Save:'Goddess' in the series 'Starcrossed' by Josephine Angelini continues the story of Helen, Lucas, Orion, and their group of friends as they face the consequences of releasing the Greek Gods from their imprisonment. The plot revolves around the Scions coming together to prevent a war, stop the cycle of tragedy that plagues them, and protect the world from the wrath of the Gods. The writing style is described as myth-heavy, delving into Greek mythology and historical stories, with a focus on character transformations and the complexities of the relationships among the characters.
Helen could see what she guessed was the River Styx just off to her left. It was a roaring torrent, riddled with icebergs. No sane person would dare swim across it. Feeling stranded, she limped around...
(Also, see 78 recommendations for the series Starcrossed ) - #10
Save:The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth is a sequel in the Nathaniel Cade series, following the adventures of a vampire sworn by a blood oath to protect the President of the United States. The book delves into a complex plot involving historical flashbacks, government conspiracies, and a new enemy called the snakeheads. The writing style is a mix of thriller and urban fantasy, with action-packed sequences and dark humor that keep readers engaged. However, some readers felt that the plot was overblown and lacked a sense of urgency, while others found the historical references distracting from the main narrative.
In this world, he was on his thirtieth hour awake, his eyes nearly closing despite all the brown-brown. He didn’t think he could inhale any more of the noxious mixture of amphetamine and gunpowder wit...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Nathaniel Cade )
