3 Newly Published Books Reviewed #SpyThriller #Fantasy #RomCom
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Tessa Anne
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IT’S THE CASE OF AMANDA’S LIFETIME, BUT SOLVING IT WILL REQUIRE HER TO BETRAY ANOTHER SPY—WHO JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE HER FATHER.
SPYING IS THE FAMILY BUSINESS. Amanda Cole is a brilliant young CIA officer following in the footsteps of her father, who was a spy during the Cold War. It takes grit to succeed in this male-dominated world—but one hot summer day, when a Russian defector walks into her post, Amanda is given the ultimate chance to prove herself.
The defector warns of the imminent assassination of a US senator. Though Amanda takes the warning seriously, her superiors don’t. Twenty-four hours later, the senator is dead. And the assassination is just the beginning.
Corporate blackmail, covert manipulation, corrupt oligarchs: the Kremlin has found a dangerous new way to wage war. Teaming up with Kath Frost, a fearless older woman and legendary spy, Amanda races from Rome to London, from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, unraveling the international conspiracy. But as she gets closer and closer to the truth, a central question haunts her: Why was her father’s name written down in the senator’s notes? What does Charlie Cole really know about the Kremlin plot?
The Helsinki Affair is a riveting, globe-trotting spy thriller—but this time, with a refreshing female-centric twist. Perfect for fans of John le Carré and Daniel Silva, this book introduces Pitoniak as a singular new talent in the world of spy fiction.
One-word review: Captivating
Emojis: 🕵️😡😲
Rating: 3.5 🌟s
My thoughts:
The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak is the story of Amanda Cole, a CIA agent, who gets involved in figuring out a secret Russian plan that consists of the assassination of a US Senator and papers with her father’s name (also a CIA agent) on them. Will Amanda figure the case out in time, or will her superiors continue to throw roadblocks in her way?
The aspect I enjoyed the most about this captivating spy thriller is the main character. Amanda is decisive and has instincts that are always spot on. And further, she trusts those instincts, which makes her an exceptional agent. It’s easy to get behind Amanda and follow her through the story’s many twists and turns.
The thriller is told in dual timelines. How Amada’s father is connected to her case is intermittent with the current timeline. The switches in timelines frequently happen rather abruptly and jarringly, and the details regarding the Russian plot made my attention lag. Still, I enjoyed watching Amanda and Kath in action as powerful female main characters, and I loved the pacing and twists and turns that led to a very open-ended conclusion.
A rebellious young heroine begins a voyage of self-discovery in the third novel of an epic fantasy series set in the world of Viridian Deep, from the legendary author of the Shannara saga.
Auris’s adoptive sister Char has always been the baby of the family—a position that grates on Char, especially when everyone insists on telling her exactly what to do and how to do it. But Char is certain that her headstrong, impulsive behavior, the quality her family sees as her greatest weakness, is actually her greatest strength: the willingness to instantly brave danger and leap to the rescue when anyone she loves is threatened.
Char knows she will never grow into the woman she was meant to be under her family’s loving but repressive eye, so a month before she turns fifteen, she runs away and joins a Human pirate crew in the warm southerly regions of her world. Then, three years into her pirate career, her captain—the man she is convinced she loves—is captured by the leaders of the slave trade he has been fighting. When Char leaps in to rescue him, she finds herself thrust into an adventure that will uncover secrets she never suspected about herself, one that will maybe, finally, teach her to look before she leaps.
One-word review: immersive
Emojis: 😳🫣🫢
Rating: 4 🌟s
Sister of the Starlit Seas is technically the third book in a series, but it focuses on a different character than the first two books and her unique journey. This makes it easily readable as a stand-alone, as it feels like the start of a companion series rather than the third in an ongoing series.
First, I loved learning about Merrows, a mermaid-like creature from Irish folklore. I had never heard of this folklore, so I read eagerly, taking in each detail and instantly feeling immersed in their watery world. I also loved the pirate aspect and would have loved to be part of that world for longer. Char, the main character, as a pirate is so perfect!
Char is the younger adopted sister of the main character from the first two books. She is passionate and quick to act. Her impetuousness is what makes her entirely endearing. I loved how much her character developed throughout this story and would love to see the same focus on the other members of their family.
As always, the world-building is exceptional and quickly enveloped me in a world that, though foreign, felt wholly welcoming. I found myself instantly immersed and loved exploring this world, especially the aspects that were new to me. The pacing is fast as Char finds herself quickly embroiled in adventure, and I always enjoy plenty of action. The only slight niggle I have is over how much time is spent in Char’s head. I would have loved to see more balance in this regard.
In the tradition of Jenny Han and Emma Lord, Jennifer Chen’s Artifacts of an Ex is a story of love, art, and finding your way when everything you know has changed completely.
When Chloe Chang gets dumped via USPS after moving across the county from NYC to LA, her first instinct is to throw her box of memories in the garbage. Instead, she starts buying other teenagers’ break-up boxes to create an art exhibit, Heartifacts. Opening night is going great, until she spots Daniel Kwak illicitly filming his best friend’s reaction to his ex’s box. When she tries to stop him, an intense discussion ends up launching a creative partnership and friendship… and a major crush for Chloe.
There’s just one problem: Daniel is dead set on not being another rebound.
Five times he’s been the guy who makes the girls he’s dating realize they want to get back with their ex. And he refuses for there to be a sixth. She insists she’s over her ex, but when he shows up unexpectedly with his new girlfriend, it turns out Daniel was right. She isn’t ready for a new relationship.
She throws herself into making Heartifacts successful, but flashy influencers threaten her original vision of the exhibit. To create the exhibit she’s always wanted, Chloe needs to go back to basics, learn to work with artists in a more collaborative way, and discover what love can be. Only then will she convince Daniel she’s truly ready for everything they could be to one another.
One-word review: Sweet
Emojis: 🥰❤️😍
Rating: 4 🌟s
Artifacts of an Ex by Jennifer Chen is a sweetly authentic story featuring Asian Americans from Taiwan and the art world. It is a lovely story about heartbreak and moving on.
I loved how relatable the story is. Heartbreak is as much a part of life as love, and the way it is handled in this story is adorably genuine. Most readers can relate to one or all of the characters.
I also enjoyed the side story of living with a relative with Alzheimer’s, what that looks like, and the positives. The joy that Chloe’s friends brought to her grandmother warmed my heart beyond measure. It showed what an essential member of that community she had always been and another form of love that is transformative and essential.
The only thing I was upset about was that the recipe for pineapple pie was not included in my edition of the book. That’s a treat I need to have in my life!
The Helsinki Affair was more political than I expected (as in all the ways Russia gets into things). I felt like it read more like a spy thriller written by a man, which surprised me.
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10 responses to “3 Newly Published Books Reviewed #SpyThriller #Fantasy #RomCom”
Fab reviews glad you enjoyed them!
I did. I’ve had a good reading streak going lately.
Pineapple pie? I’d be upset, too😏 Wonderful reviews, Tessa💜 I’m still pondering The Helsinki Affair.
The Helsinki Affair was more political than I expected (as in all the ways Russia gets into things). I felt like it read more like a spy thriller written by a man, which surprised me.
That was my sense of it, too, which fell flat.
Great reviews, the first one sounds brilliant, with a strong female character who is able to look after herself.
I love a strong female character!
Me too.
Glad to know you enjoyed Artifacts of an Ex – have an ARC waiting for me.
It’s a good story. Not angsty and pretty authentic in how tough breakups are and all that comes after.