Author: June Hur Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller Expected publication: January 25th, 2022 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends Pages: 336 Other Links: Goodreads | Amazon | IndieBound
Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father’s approval. But Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon’s closest friend and mentor. Determined to prove her beloved teacher’s innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation. In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed.
Thank you to the publisher and Coloured Pages Book Tours for providing me an eARC via NetGallery! As soon as I read the premise for this book I was hooked, and it did not disappoint. The Red Palace is a gripping historical murder mystery that follows eighteen-year-old Hyeon, a palace nurse, who teams up with a police inspector to protect her mentor and uncover the real murderer. If you are a fan, of historical fiction, slow-burn romance or murder mysteries, this page-turning thriller is the one for you. The dark, atmospheric setting of ancient Korea and its historical details are intriguing and captivating, and you can get a sense of the society's hierarchy. I haven't read a lot of historical fiction, so the setting was refreshing and you can tell the author has done deep research about this period in history. The story features loveable characters that have you rooting for them from the start. Hyeon, the main character, faces many challenges that are relatable and help you empathise with her. The romance that blooms between her and the inspector is predictable, but it doesn't take away from the main plot. The few romantic moments between the MCs are sweet and you can see how the relationship slowly develops. The mystery itself has many elements but is still easy to follow. I didn't guess who the murderer was, which is a good thing. I like how the book was short and fast-paced but still made the characters complex and interesting, and I would love a follow-up. Rating: 4.5/5 stars
“When the time comes,” he said quietly, holding my gaze the way he held my hand. “You watch out for me. And I will always watch out for you.” "And being with Eojin slipped unwanted shadows into my head, dreams of what that might feel like—to be cherished, like in the love stories in Jieun’s personal library." "To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood." “I would not love, unless I was loved first and loved the most. I would be nothing at all, if I could not be the first.” “Everyone must choose the paths they will walk on. And when you choose, remember to count the cost.” "I did not want to be like this, a girl too afraid to do what was right for fear of what others would think. And I did know what was right. I recognized it as clearly as I did the sun in the sky."
June Hur was born in South Korea and raised in Canada, except for the time when she moved back to Korea and attended high school there. She studied History and Literature at the University of Toronto. She began writing her debut novel after obsessing over books about Joseon Korea. When she’s not writing, she can be found wandering through nature or journaling at a coffee shop. She is the author of The Silence of Bones, The Forest of Stolen Girls, The Red Palace, and A Crane Among Wolves published by Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, and she currently lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter. Website – Goodreads – Twitter – Instagram
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Tour SCHEDULEJanuary 3rd Azeezat @ The Euphoriczat– Review + Book Recommendations Brittany @ Books Eats and Booze – Instagram Review January 4th Paula @ The Paper Reels– Review + Favorite Quotes Margie @ Margie Must Reads– Review + Excerpt Nikhat @ It’s Nikhat– Review January 5th Alexis @ Lex With the Text – Review Hafsah @Hafsa’s Creative Corner– Review + Excerpt January 6th Amani @ Amani’s Honest Reviews– Review + Book Recommendations Dahabo @ Dee’s Library – Review + Favorite Quotes January 7th Hana @ Linh Hermione– Review + Favorite Quotes Dee Jay @ DJ Reads Books– Review January 8th Rameela @ Star All Booked Up – Review Odalis @ Bookish Plants – Review + Excerpt January 9th Ashley @ Reading Stewardess – Review + Interview Gargee @ Wilder Girl Reads – Review + Reading Vlog SynopsisThe Awakening of Malcolm X is a powerful narrative account of the activist’s adolescent years in jail, written by his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz along with 2019 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe award-winning author, Tiffany D. Jackson. No one can be at peace until he has his freedom. In Charlestown Prison, Malcolm Little struggles with the weight of his past. Plagued by nightmares, Malcolm drifts through days unsure of his future. Slowly, he befriends other prisoners and writes to his family. He reads all the books in the prison library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam. Malcolm grapples with race, politics, religion, and justice in the 1940s. And as his time in jail comes to an end, he begins to awaken — emerging from prison more than just Malcolm Little: Now, he is Malcolm X. Here is an intimate look at Malcolm X’s young adult years. While this book chronologically follows X: A Novel, it can be read as a stand-alone historical novel that invites larger discussions on black power, prison reform, and civil rights. My ReviewI'll admit, my knowledge about Malcolm X is limited to his Wikipedia page, so I was looking forward to reading about the life of this familiar figure. The Awakening of Malcolm X provides an eye-opening snapshot into Malcolm X's adolescent years and what shaped him into the activist he became. The book is written through Malcolm X's own eyes during his early incarceration as he navigates the horrible conditions of Charlestown State Prison and his later "awakening" in Norfolk Prison Colony, with the help of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. The book focuses on Malcolm's grappling of race, politics, religion, and justice in the 1940s. It shows his highs and lows during his time in prison, and his struggles in his relationships. It also explores the treatment of black people in the two prisons. While one of them had significantly better conditions to the other, they are still treated with prejudice, directly or indirectly. During this time, Malcolm X reaches out to Elijah Muhammad, the self-proclaimed 'Messenger of God', and Malcolm converts to Islam. Malcolm X cites Elijah Muhammad for giving him newfound wisdom and a purpose in life. The end of the book sets up for Malcolm X's doubts in the Nation of Islam and his eventual departure from it, but those events don't happen in the book. Each chapter starts with a quote from Malcolm X that reflect the ideas he learns and shares later in life. The book is enriched with the family's letters to each other. The end of the book contains historical notes about the two prisons and a list of books that Malcolm read in prison that educated and enlightened him on Black history, politics and more. The author's note also mentions that she took creative liberties with the story and where there were changes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it showcases Malcolm X's life in an easy-to-read, digestible story. It's perfect for those who want a Young Adult book that informs and educates, even for those who don't read a lot of non-fiction, like me. The memoir is written like a story- it's fast-paced and hard to put down. It also prompts further reading and thought about the inherent racism of the justice system during that time. I would recommend this book for ages over 12 - I think that everyone can take something out of this enlightening and interesting memoir! My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars) Book links: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop.org Read an excerptAbout the authorsILYASAH SHABAZZ Ilyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X, is an activist, producer, motivational speaker, and the author of the critically acclaimed Growing Up X and the picture book Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X Goodreads TIFFANY D. JACKSON Tiffany D. Jackson is the critically acclaimed author YA novels including the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning Monday’s Not Coming, the NAACP Image Award-nominated Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, and GROWN. Website | Goodreads Thanks for reading this book tour! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Be sure to check out the other book tour posts in the schedule at the top!
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SYNOPSIS (via Goodreads) Twelve-year-old Noura Alwan's family is granted asylum in the United States, after spending two years in a Turkish refugee camp, having fled war-torn Aleppo. They land in Tampa, Florida, on January 30, 2017, just days after the president restricted entry into the US from nations with a Muslim majority population. Twelve-year-old Jordyn Johnson is a record-breaking swimmer, but hasn't swum well since her mom had a miscarriage during one of her meets. Her family has volunteered to help the Alwan family through their church. She knows very few people of Arab descent or who practice Islam. The girls' lives intersect at Bayshore Middle School where Jordyn serves as the Alwan children's school ambassador. Noura knows that her family is safe from the civil unrest in her home country, but is not prepared for the adversity she now faces on American soil. Jordyn is sympathetic to Noura's situation, but there are other members of their Florida community who see the refugees' presence to be a threat to their way of life. While the president's Muslim ban tests the resolve and faith of many, it is friendship that stands strong against fear and hatred. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Just a week into his presidency, Donald Trump announced the Muslim Travel Ban. The ban meant that he number of immigrants admitted to US was lowered, supposedly to prevent terrorism, despite the countries affected posing no risk to the US. During this time, thousands of of protesters gathered at airports and other locations throughout the United States to protest against the order. Many took to social media as well, using the hashtags #MuslimBan and #GrandParentsNotTerrorists. The ban was lifted on March 6, 2017, but prejudice againsts Muslims, unfortunately, has not. MY REVIEW This is a spoiler-free review! Flying Over Water is an important book that reflects the experiences of many refugee families living in America in the current political climate. It brings awareness to issues surrounding Islamophobia and prejudice in way that is personal and easy for middle-schoolers to understand. The dual-narrative between Noura and Jordyn shows the way both characters face their fears and overcome big changes in their life. Noura's family is the the midst of rampant Islamophobia, but Jordayn's family helps them adjust to their new life and find happiness in their new life. Jordayn's side of the story also talks about how she deals with the aftermath of her mum's miscarriage, which leads to her suffering from severe anxiety. Noura, in turn, helps Jordyn deal with her trama. Through confiding their hardships to each other, the girls realize they have more in common with each other than they thought. This story also brings light to how different communities can come together and help each other out during times of difficulty. Flying Over Water deals with many deep issues, it doesn't only focus on the bad! It also showing the unity and friendship that is formed in the face of hardship, and how people of with different backgrounds and beliefs can come together in harmony. This book is perfect for classrooms and I hope to see more books like these in schools. Overall, this well-written, must-read book is great for all ages and is highly recommended! My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars) BOOK LINKS AUTHORS' INFORMATION Shannon Hitchcock is the author of One True Way, which received a starred review from Kirkus. The critically acclaimed Ruby Lee and Me was a nominee for the 2017-2018 Nebraska Chapter Book Golden Sower Award, Pennsylvania’s Keystone Award, Iowa’s Children’s Choice Award, Japan’s Sakura Medal, and Alaska and Montana’s Battle of the Books. She divides her time between Tampa, Florida, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. For more, visit her website at shannonhitchcock.com.
N.H. Senzai is the author of Shooting Kabul, which was critically acclaimed and on numerous award lists. Publishers Weekly called it “hard hitting, emotionally wrenching.” Her second book, Saving Kabul Corner, was nominated for an Edgar Award. She is also the author of Ticket to India and Escape from Aleppo. Ms. Senzai lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Visit her online at NHSenzai.com.
I first picked up this book because 1) the author's name, 2) the pretty cover, and 3) I've recently been looking for books written by modern Muslim writers. If you're a fantasy or romance fan, this book ticks all the boxes. I'm neither, so I didn't go into it expecting to be particularly hooked by it. Boy, was I wrong. In her debut novel, Faizal creates and an enchanting ancient Arabian world, in which Zafira, a seventeen-year-old girl, disguises herself a man to venture into the mysterious forest of Arz to feed her people, thus adopting the name the 'Hunter'. Nazir is the son and assassin of the tyrant king. It's a refreshing change from the typical American teen romance book, and unique in the way it's written. Near the start of the book, it's pretty predictable that Zafira and Nazir will end with feelings for each other. Zafira is set on a mission to restore magic to their land and save her people from their nearing doom by retrieving a lost artifact. Nazir, on the other hand, is ordered by the sultan to kill the Hunter and retrieve the artifact. An twist of fate compels Zafira and Nasir to build a little more than acquaintanceship, and together they face an ancient, sinister, evil, intertwined in their past and present. Alitar, Nazir's companion on their quest, is a true gem of a character and he provides comic relief throughout the story. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal is full of unexpected twists, turns and revelations, as well as lovable charters and funny, witty dialogue. Fazial's words drip with eloquence, and each line is deliberately written, almost like poetry. I recommend to anyone over the age of 11, especially those looking for a new, unique and refreshing read. It's a welcome addition to modern young adult fiction, and Faizal's voice in literature is one I'll be looking forward to in the future. The second installment in the Sands of Arawiya series, We Free the Stars, is expected to be released on January 19, 2021 . To see what I'm reading, follow me on Goodreads!
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