I'm sorry for the delay in sharing our book club recaps; we have three meetings to cover since my last post. Let's start with the recap for May:
Book: "The Penelopiad" by Margaret Atwood
In "The Penelopiad," Margaret Atwood offers a contemporary twist to the ancient story of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus from "The Odyssey." In Homer's original account, Penelope is portrayed as the epitome of a faithful wife who patiently awaits her husband's return. However, Atwood gives Penelope and her twelve maids a voice, exploring what led to the hanging of the maids and revealing Penelope's hidden truths.
Miriam found the book surprisingly enjoyable, stating, "I liked this more than I thought I would!" She particularly appreciated the depth that Atwood added to Penelope's character, as it aligned with her love for the myth. Miriam's sentiment captures the essence of this retelling.
Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 3.5 stars
Now, moving on to our June book:
Book: "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins
"The Library at Mount Char" introduces us to Carolyn, a character who isn't quite like the people around her. Raised by a mysterious figure known as Father, Carolyn and her adopted siblings have been steeped in Father's ancient customs, including the secrets within his Library. When Father goes missing, leaving the Library unguarded, Carolyn finds herself in a fierce competition against powerful adversaries for control over all of creation. But in the midst of this battle, Carolyn realizes she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human.
Our book club members had varying reactions to this unique tale. Sarah found the book to be highly engaging despite its bizarreness and extreme violence, describing it as "enjoyable (and funny)." Ashley, who read the book twice, elevated her rating to five stars upon revisiting it, emphasizing its weirdness and the fact that it left a lasting impression. Miriam, in her succinct yet enthusiastic review, exclaimed, "THIS SHIT IS 100% MY JAM." Paige enjoyed the book's blend of dark fantasy, humor, and lore, rating it 4.5 stars. Finally, Lauren appreciated the thought-provoking exploration of godhood but rounded her rating down to 4 stars, mentioning that the prose didn't stand out.
Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 4.25 stars
And finally, our August book:
Book: "Silver Under Nightfall" by Rin Chupeco
In "Silver Under Nightfall," Remy Pendergast, the son of the Duke of Valenbonne, is an elite bounty hunter tasked with hunting rogue vampires. His lineage and the rumors of his vampiric heritage have made him an outcast among his fellow Reapers. When a new and terrifying breed of vampire emerges outside the city, Remy embarks on a solo investigation. However, his path crosses with the warmhearted vampire heiress, Xiaodan Song, and her arrogant fiancé, Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to combating the mutating virus Rot plaguing the kingdom. Remy's loyalty is put to the test as he navigates his feelings for the vampire couple and reevaluates his family's legacy.
"Silver Under Nightfall" offered an intriguing blend of vampire lore and a complex protagonist in Remy Pendergast. Miriam summed it up well with 'This was... a whole lotta vampires.' Ashley found it quite enjoyable, while I, personally not a fan of the genre, thought it was decent. However, I couldn't help but have numerous unanswered questions (which hopefully will be explored further in the sequel!), and Remy's character didn't entirely resonate with me. Chupeco's world is certainly imaginative with fascinating relationships and an exploration of loyalty and identity. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, those with a penchant for vampire stories are likely to find it captivating.
Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 3.4 stars
I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer!
Stay tuned for our next recap covering our September book selection!
Book: "Stone Blind" by Natalie Haynes
