Just a quick note that I'll be taking a blog break next week and returning on August 29! Now, onto quick reviews of two Amazon Original Stories, written by two very big names!
Gloria Banderas, a world-famous concert pianist, is supposed to be playing a huge show at Carnegie Hall, but she is experiencing some unsettling symptoms in her hand which force her to cancel. She then meets the artists who live above Carnegie Hall and joins them as she heals, at the same time wondering if her life is what she really wants it to be. I love Fiona Davis' writing, even if only in a short story like this. She brings New York City to life through its buildings, teaching the reader about places and times. Gloria was an incredible and well-drawn character, and I enjoyed seeing her journey, wondering if she would overcome the issues with her hand or be forced to give up the only life she's ever known - or would she be content to find a new way? 4 stars
During WWII, Lily is one of the ladies trained to intercept foreign radio transmissions and then pass them along to the codebreakers at Bletchley Park. One day, she hears an odd transmission of an American ship taking fire and ultimately sinking. She thinks she heard the sailor Matt say the year was 2023 - can that even be right? Can she help him? I love time travel stories and this was a fantastic and unique take on the genre. Lily finds a way to communicate with Matt, and I was eager to see how she would convince him that she was really speaking to him from 1943. There's so much tension because time is of the essence, but the story is also emotional and hopeful. Overall, just a perfect and captivating short story. 5 stars
I've been seeing Signal Moon everywhere but had no idea it was a time travel story. How eerie would that premise be? I'm going to have to get it!
ReplyDeleteSignal Moon sounds fascinating! Enjoy the break, Angela!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanya!
DeleteI downloaded both of these to read on vacation!
ReplyDeleteYay, enjoy!
DeleteI don't read many historicals, but I love that ones that incorporate the amazing women who made history without being mentioned much.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's always nice to see those stories finally being told!
DeleteHave a great holiday! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI keep forgetting about these Amazon short stories but definitely want to read both of them. Kate Quinn's sounds especially good!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them!
DeleteI was going to read Signal Moon, but was undecided. Looks like I should add it back to my TBR list! I guess you can't really go wrong with Kate Quinn.
ReplyDeleteVery true!
DeleteI haven't read any Kate Quinn yet, but Signal Moon sounds super intriguing and I do love a good time travel story. Hope your having a great blog break!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a good intro to her work!
DeleteOoh that time travel one does sound intriguing!
ReplyDeleteIt was so, so good!
DeleteShort stories can have the best blurbs, but i always approach them ready expecting there won’t be enough to satisfy me. I have to admit these two look intriguing — and definitely a different take on time travel! —Verushka @ Pop. Edit. Lit
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about short stories, but these were both great!
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