Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings » Week 2

The Friday 56

Thank you for joining us for our second week of The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings!







Sierra's Pick


dark days clubThe Dark Days Club (Lady Helen #1) by Alison Goodman

New York Times bestseller Alison Goodman’s eagerly awaited new project: a Regency adventure starring a stylish and intrepid demon-hunter!

London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?

bookbeginnings
Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.


"In the sun-warmed quiet of her uncle's library, Lady Helen Wrexhall spread the skirt of her muslin morning gown and snk into the deep curtsy required for Royal presentation: back held straight, head slightly bowed, left knee bent so low, it nearly touched the floor. And, of course, face set into a serene Court smile."


Friday 56


The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

Pg 56
"Helen flexed her wrist, shifting the miniature into a firmer position against her palm. Her paper-thin kid glove was damp with perspiration, and stuck to her skin. There were too many bodies in the room, filling the air with an overpowering stink of stale perfume and sweat, not to mention the heavy anticipation that seemed to press down upon everyone like black clouds on a thundery day."


My dearest (and only) co-blogger Ellen has already read and reviewed this book. Find her thoughts HERE.



Ellen's Pick


The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge


lie tree coverFaith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is modest and well mannered—a proper young lady who knows her place. But inside, Faith is burning with questions and curiosity. She keeps sharp watch of her surroundings and, therefore, knows secrets no one suspects her of knowing—like the real reason her family fled Kent to the close-knit island of Vane. And that her father’s death was no accident.

In pursuit of revenge and justice for the father she idolizes, Faith hunts through his possessions, where she discovers a strange tree. A tree that only bears fruit when she whispers a lie to it. The fruit, in turn, delivers a hidden truth. The tree might hold the key to her father’s murder. Or, it might lure the murderer directly to Faith herself, for lies—like fires, wild and crackling—quickly take on a life of their own.

 

bookbeginnings


"The boat moved with a nauseous, relentless rhythm, like someone chewing on a rotten tooth. The islands just visible through the mist also looked like teeth, Faith decided. Not fine, clean Dover teeth, but jaded, broken teeth, jutting crookedly amid the wash of the choppy gray sea."


Friday 56


The conversation promptly exploded into a debate about evolution.







Natural scientists liked to argue and debate. Back at the rectory Faith had grown used to her father’s guests smiling, bantering, and my-dear-fellow-ing over their tea, while racing their rival theories like prize ponies. The disagreements about evolution were always different, however. There was a crackle of fear behind them, a rawness like splintered wood.

The same rawness and tension filled the conversation now. To Faith’s surprise, the mild, courteous Clay was one of the loudest and most fervent voices.

“Lamarck and Darwin are leading the world into a great error!” he declared. “If we say that species change, then we say that they were created imperfect! We criticize God himself!”








Ellen: There you have it, readers! The Dark Days Club and The Lie Tree are what we're working through now! Let us know below what you're reading. Remember to link your Book Beginnings and Friday 56's!

25 comments:

  1. I think the Book Beginning of The Lie Tree is very descriptive. I am glad you are reading it and I'll be curious to learn what you think of it.

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  2. Both of those books look really interesting. Thanks for mentioning them. :-)

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  3. Thanks for stopping by Anne! Hopefully Ellen will get to it soon :P.

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  4. I liked The Dark Days Club when I read it. This week I'm reading Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott. Happy reading!

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  5. I hope you'll both enjoy the rest of your books this week, ladies! I didn't have any luck with Dark Days Club. It was way too long and too slow for me.

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  6. Both these picks seem awesome! I have the first one on my TBR stack, will look into the second one as well. Love that wording: with a serene court smile!

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  7. Oh no! Hopefully I have a different experience with dark days club.

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  8. I'm so excited! I'd love to know what you think of the book when you're done :)

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  9. Both books look tempting, but The Lie Tree is one I've added to my list before...so I definitely want to read it. Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “THE TRUTH-TELLER’S LIE”

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  10. Both books look fantastic. I am intrigued by Lady Helen in the first book, and that second one pulled me in with the cool cover and grittiness to the writing! Happy weekend to you both!!

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  11. I rarely read fantasy so these books may not be for me. However, I do like the excerpts from The Lie Tree, especially the description of the discussions about evolution. Fascinating!
    My Friday post features THE REAL MOTHER.

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  12. I love the covers for both of these, they are fantastic and I really hope they are good!

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  13. Ohhhh I love the sound of all of these books! I love how all of the beginnings just suck you I'm automatically!♡♡ I may have to try some of these out.♡♡ thanks for sharing these girlie!

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  14. I really enjoyed The Dark Days Club. I wasn't really blown away by it, but it was still really enjoyable. Happy Friday!

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  15. I am enjoying it so far! Happy Friday to you as well :)

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  16. Awesome! I hope you really enjoy that one :)

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  17. That is such an intriguing title! I will have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  18. Thank you! Hope you had a great weekend as well :)

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  19. Let us know if you decide to pick them up! :)

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  20. OOOOOHHHH! The Dark Days Club is on my immediate To Read Pile! The book sounds AMAZING. Have you read it? It is good?

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