#FitReaders Check-In: April 7, 2017

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Mata Hari - Michelle Moran

From the international bestselling author of Rebel Queen and Nefertiti comes a captivating novel about the infamous Mata Hari, exotic dancer, adored courtesan, and, possibly, relentless spy.

Paris, 1917. The notorious dancer Mata Hari sits in a cold cell awaiting freedom…or death. Alone and despondent, Mata Hari is as confused as the rest of the world about the charges she’s been arrested on: treason leading to the deaths of thousands of French soldiers.

As Mata Hari waits for her fate to be decided, she relays the story of her life to a reporter who is allowed to visit her in prison. Beginning with her carefree childhood, Mata Hari recounts her father’s cruel abandonment of her family as well her calamitous marriage to a military officer. Taken to the island of Java, Mata Hari refuses to be ruled by her abusive husband and instead learns to dance, paving the way to her stardom as Europe’s most infamous dancer.

My thoughts:

Moran is a great writer, and for that reason I did wish that the book had been longer. As it stood now it did not even reach 300 pages. Which is sad cos she does brings life into her rl characters. I always wonder who she will write about next.

I can't say I knew a lot about Mata Hari except how she died and that she created this persona . In this book we follows her from her start in Paris and to her end. The book is heavy on her beginning and honestly how did people buy all those lies? Silly people. She sure knew how to tell a story. A fascinating person. I liked how Moran showed the human behind her. She was weak, but strong. She loved to spend and not think of her future. She adored a man in a uniform and did not care what people though of her. She loved her daughter dearly even if she had not seen her for years. She was a great liar, but could not save herself in the end.

As for the whole spying thing, I do wonder, if so she must have been bad at it. But then the way she is described here the whole thing does make sense. She could be a fool, who did not think forward.

Conclusion:
It's a rather light book, I read it fast. It was simple and short. It was a quick insight into an enigmatic woman. But she did achieve what she wanted, she is still famous.

Now I  again wonder what Moran will write about next, I better go check ;)

Cover
nice

Paperback, 272 pages
Published April 6ht 2017 by Quercus Books (first published July 19th 2016)
Historical fiction
For review

The Tyrant's Shadow - Antonia Senior

A court without a kingdom, a kingdom without a king...

England, 1652: since Charles I's execution the land has remained untethered, the people longing for change. When Patience Johnson meets preacher Sidrach Simmonds, she believes her destiny is to become his wife and help him spread the Lord's word. Simmonds sees things quite differently. Patience's brother Will has been bestowed the job of lawyer to Oliver Cromwell. Tasked with aiding England's most powerful man, he must try to overcome his grief after the loss of his wife. Then Sam Challoner, Will's brother-in-law, returns unannounced after years in exile, forcing Will and Patience to question their loyalties: one to a ruler, the other, a spouse. Who do they choose to save? Themselves, their loved ones or their country... 

My thoughts:
Set in the Time of Cromwell, yeah, I do not like that guy. It seemed like a really messy time. Everyone hating each other, well a civil war does that. They are trying to build a new world, but at the same time there is tension everywhere. Political and religious ones.

And in this world we have Will who lost his wife during those dark days. He honestly just tried to get by, and he did work near Cromwell so he kept his head down. His sister Patience who lives with him and she was the naive one who thought the best of everyone but will learn her lesson. But I did like her. She had a transformation. As for the preacher she marries, I did not like him. He was a zealot. There is also a third POV, Sam, Will's brother in law, and the one who wants the king back on the throne. I liked this POVS, the one who just wants to live his life, the one who sees so much more in life, and the one who wants to change the country.

Cromwell is trying to make the country better. People are still fighting. The court is in exile. We do get both worlds thanks to the different POVS. But it really is about the characters.

Conclusion:
It was an interesting time. I would for sure not have liked to live there. But it sure brings the drama. There are people to like, and people to dislike.

Cover
Nice

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: April 6th 2017 by Corvus
Historical fiction
For review

The girls of Ennismore - Patricia Falvey

Ireland, 1900. Two girls meet. They are from vastly different worlds, but will be united in friendship through loves, losses and wars. A sweeping, heartrending saga for fans of Lesley Pearse and Rosie Clarke. 

It's the early years of the twentieth century, and Victoria Bell and Rosie Killeen are best friends. Growing up in rural Ireland's County Mayo, their friendship is forged against the glorious backdrop of Ennismore House. However, Victoria, born of the aristocracy, and Rosie, daughter of a local farmer, both find that the disparity of their class and the simmering social tension in Ireland will push their friendship to the brink... 

My thoughts:

Victoria was the daughter of the big house, and she wanted a friend.

Rosie was the daughter of a tenant farmer, and if Victoria wanted a friend then Rosie's dad could not say no. And here was the first proof of the underlying tensions in the book. Sure it works out and they study together and become friends, but Rosie is always less.

This is more of a saga, we follow them during 17 years of their lives.And well since we start in 1900 you get what we will see. The beginning of WW1, tensions growing in Ireland, the Easter uprising. A country in turmoil.

They will grow up. Things will happen. Victoria is destined for one life, and Rosie for another.

Victoria was spoiled at first, not in a bad way, more in a naive way at times. She really did not see the whole truth.

While Rosie was a bit resentful at times. Which I get.

Conclusion:
There will hardships, romance, friendship. Two women, two destinies. It really is their story.

cover
nice

Paperback, 480 pages
Expected publication: April 6th 2017 by Corvus
Historical fiction /saga
For review