The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

This is the first Jocelyn Green novel that I have read, and it won't be the last. Green writes a very moving story, filled with sadness, humor, mystery, love, and grace. 
Julianne Chevalier has lost much in life, and when her time as a midwife is cut short, she again wrestles with despair and hopelessness. Branded by the king and sent to a new colony, she is forced into a marriage she doesn't want, and tasked with helping care for new mothers and soldiers in Louisiana. This all comes with a price, though she doesn't know it yet, and despite her frustration with her status in the colony, she does her job to the best of her ability.

Green's writing is at times gritty, and more than once I shuddered at her vivid descriptions, but it is necessary to the novel. Without experiencing the pain and suffering Julianne and others go through, it's hard to become attached to the story or its characters. The backdrop for the story is, at times, as bleak as Julianne's life, but at other times, it comes alive through Green's pen. 

Multiple characters are introduced throughout the novel. At times, it was difficult to remember who belonged to whom; however, as the story progressed, I was able to keep better track of this. Despite how other novels set in this time period may portray women, Julianne is not a weakling. She faces some incredibly horrifying situations (that I felt to my core), but each time she experiences a measure of grace. She even pays it forward, though at times she truly struggled. I appreciated the "humanness" of her character. and so many others.  

Overall, I think this book is a must-read for fans of Christian and historical fiction, romance, and mystery. You won't be disappointed.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

I was given the opportunity to read this from NetGalley. The following review is my honest opinion.

I am not sure I can use the correct words to describe "The Bear and the Nightingale." I am a huge Russian history nerd, so the book and its premise immediately appealed to me. I was familiar with the endearments and other terminology in the book that might throw the casual reader for a loop, but this style of writing only added to my enjoyment. In short, the story was magical. The backstory of Marina and Dunya might seem like fluff, but it was a necessary component of the novel. Getting to watch Vasya as she grows and learns helped me become more attached to her character, and I appreciated the relationships she had with her family. It is not the typical family dynamic, however, there is no denying the love they have for each other. 

Russian lore is fascinating to me, and I felt like Arden did the culture justice. I understood the priest's need to "redeem" the "heathens," but I also understood the villagers' deep longing to remain true to traditions by worshipping gods of hearth and home. I'll be honest, I had to look a few things up during my reading, and I encourage others to do so as well. 

If I could change one thing about the story it would be that I wanted more Vasya and Morozko. I am hoping for a sequel!

In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse

I was given the opportunity to read this book before its release. The review is my honest opinion.

 I love Tracie Peterson's novels, so I was very excited to read this collaboration with Kimberly Woodhouse. The setting is one of my favorites: the Alaskan frontier. Peterson and Woodhouse stuck true to the traditional Christian historical fiction storyline in this book. A girl of marriageable age lives in the wilderness. A city boy comes to town and finds that the girl is lovely, and so is her home. He embarks on a dangerous mission, leaving feelings unresolved and unspoken. If you are looking for a feel-good, clean, light-hearted novel, this is it. I don't write this to be a negative review. I enjoyed the story, but it isn't for someone looking to branch out in their reading.

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