Someone is Watching

By Joy Fielding

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Donna from the Miami branch

    Bailey Carpenter works for a firm of lawyers as a private investigator.  As she is investigating a case, she is attacked, leaving her trapped and traumatized to the point where she doesn't want to leave her apartment. Throughout her recovery, Bailey also has to deal with her stepsiblings, who are contesting her father's will.

    Laying low during her recovery, Bailey is frustrated with the police's lack of progress and is struggling to trust those around her.  A former lover, potential suitors, neighbours and even estranged siblings fall under suspicion. With the police not doing much, Bailey starts following up on suspects herself, becoming more and more paranoid until those around her start to worry about her mental health.  

    This thriller is very well paced.  Bailey seeks, watches and tries to figure out any way possible to find her attacker. I could not put this book down.  Bailey, her family and neighbours had me sitting on the edge of my seat.  A wonderful suspense novel.

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We Hunt the Flame

 By Hafsah Faizal

Young Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Raina from the Office/Miami Branch

    Zafira is a huntress masquerading as a "hunter," keeping the truth of her gender a secret. Daily, she ventures into the infamous Arz, a deadly and sentient forest that is the only source of food for her and her village.  Zafira is the only one with the ability to navigate the forest and return with her body and mind fully intact.

    Nasir, Prince of Death, is a royal hashashin trained to kill for his father, the Sultan.  Navigating the tricky politics of his home, Nasir endures all the consequences of life as a killer, while enduring abuse from his own father.

    When the two of them-among others-are picked to embark on a quest to find the fabled Jawarat, their paths inevitably cross, sparking an enemies to lovers romance (a favorite trope of mine), and assembling a unique crew of characters who must work together to achieve their desired goal-restore magic to Arawiya and defeat the ever growing Arz.

    While the first 30% of this novel is a bit slow, it's important for setting up the background of our main characters, as well as introducing you to the world of Arawiya and its politics. There's a lot of Arabic words introduced, as well as important places to memorize early on in the book. Despite the slow start, the story really picks up once the quest begins, and from there it's a really quick read. After meeting the rest of the characters, I found it difficult to pause in just any place.

    Throughout the book, we switch points of view between Zafira and Nasir, and while this typically isn't something I enjoy in my books, I found it really engaging.  Not once did I feel taken out of the story or did I dread reading either perspective.

    I felt thoroughly invested in the characters and would consider that to be the best aspect of this book.  The writing is beautiful and descriptive, and I could very clearly picture the settings as I went.  The overabundance of new vocabulary was a bit distracting in the first third of the book, but you grow used to it as you go.  Occasionally there is the odd "verse" you come across, which sometimes felt right, and at other times unnecessary.  Definitely an interesting writing choice.

    A fun Middle Eastern inspired fantasy with Arabic representation.  I will definitely be reading the follow up in the duology, We Free the Start.  I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good slow burn romance, a reluctant group of characters who slowly become like family, or anyone who was once a fan of Prince of Persia.

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Anatomy: A Love Story

 By Dana Schwartz

Young Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Christine, Miami patron

    I really found this book to be slightly shocking in parts, but intriguing in a weird way. Interesting that the author was exploring the history of surgery and the early butchery and autopsies that may have happened. It set a very strange background for a romance story!! 

    I liked the strong, young, female character Hazel, and her determined nature. It was quite interesting to have so much anatomy in the book without it being too "textbook" like. I really liked the references to the struggles of the classes in early Britain. A great read!

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Firekeeper's Daughter

 By Angeline Boulley

Young Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Charlize and Nyomi from the Miami Branch

    Angeline Boulley's debut novel is a gripping, relevant, and memorable young adult story.

    Daunis Fontaine has never felt like she fit into either of her worlds- the Ojibwe world or the wealthier, white side. Coping with the recent loss of her uncle, Daunis faces another blow when her best friend is shot dead by her addict boyfriend. Jamie, a newcomer to her hometown of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan,  pulls Daunis into an intense FBI investigation of the murder and underground meth market.  To help solve this case, Daunis will have to combine both her worlds to save her community.

    Firekeeper's Daughter explores many different topics, including teachings about Indigenous lives and practices today.

    Though the themes were heavy, the book's hopefulness shines through. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it. Don't miss the brand-new companion book, Warrior Girl Unearthed.

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Golden Girl

 By Reem Faruqi

Junior Fiction

Reviewed by Charlize from the Miami Branch

    Aafiyah Qamar leads a normal preteen life - she enjoys photography, playing tennis, reading Weird but True books, and spending time with her best friend.  However, things take a turn for Aafiyah and her family when her father is detained in Dubai for a crime he did not commit.  Aafiyah and her family return home to the United States without her father, where Aafiyah must grapple with not only her father's wrongful conviction, but her grandfather's cancer and a silent struggle of her own: kleptomania.

    I liked many aspects of Golden Girl, including the story, characters, and most of all, the verse it was written in.  I had never read a novel written solely in verse before, but found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.  Golden Girl would be a good book choice for someone who wants a quick read or someone who would like to step out of their comfort zone and read a different style of writing.

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