This is a DNF review at 33%. The Secret Market of the Dead is a frustrating book because it is so technically skilled in some areas, yet still failed to hold my interest.

Conceptually, Raging Clouds is fascinating. It's a powerful feminist critique of 16th-century Dutch patriarchy. The main character is compelling in her quiet rejection of the housewife role in favor of intellectual pursuits. The story serves as a stark reminder of the deplorable treatment women have historically endured.

This book was a bit of a slow start for me, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it.

Very good writing. This isn't my usual genre or subject matter, but there is a lot to love about this book. The plot is cohesive and compelling, and there is great character development. Yet the subtext is where this book really shines.

A heartwarming, second-chance romance. The writing is top notch and the characters are deep and fully developed.

I have mixed feelings about this second Outlander book. First, let me say that the writing is beautiful and very competent, and the storytelling is solid. But, outside of that, I just didn't love this book the same way I loved the first one. Whereas I found magic and wonder in the first book, I found this one to be too slow and domestic, the patriarchy too stifling. It just didn't hit the right notes for me.

Beautiful writing and a story of love and survival set in 1743 Scotland. Great worldbuilding. The historic elements really encompassed the era in which the book is set.

A great continuation in the Whimbrel House series. This book is filled with magic shenanigans, English nobility, druids, dogs, premonitions, body swapping, and romance.

This was a very short, but well-written book. It does chronicle an ugly sliver of history, but the short length of the book gives readers just the barest glimpse. As a short story, there's not a whole lot there, but the fact that it is based on her great grandmother's life during the Mexican Revolution does make it more compelling.

I'm not even sure where to start with this one. This is a hard story to hear. It's filled with abuse, neglect, homophobia, AIDS and death.

Funny and quirky. A real joy to read. The character development, which is often lacking in short stories, was full and rich—I adored the mother.

This was a great continuation of Holmberg's Whimbrel House series. A very cohesive sequel that seamlessly expands on the first book, perpetuating the story while retaining all of the first book's charm. It kept me engrossed with the characters and the dynamic plot.