Tag: historical fiction

The Dream of the Jaguar: A Lush Saga of Family and Destiny

‘The Dream of the Jaguar’ by Miguel Bonnefoy. Photo: Other Press

New Book Spotlight: The Dream of the Jaguar by Miguel Bonnefoy

Miguel Bonnefoy’s prize-winning novel The Dream of the Jaguar is a sweeping and enchanting family saga. Echoing the lush storytelling of One Hundred Years of Solitude and the emotional depth of Isabel Allende’s work, this novel explores colonialism, cultural identity, and the enduring ties of heritage. Through unforgettable characters, Bonnefoy illuminates the vibrant, complicated history of Venezuela. (Other Press, 2025)

A Story Born on the Steps of a Church

The novel opens when a beggar in Maracaibo, Venezuela, discovers a newborn on the steps of a church. She cannot foresee the extraordinary destiny awaiting the child she takes in.

Raised in poverty, Antonio’s life begins as a cigarette seller and porter, later a servant in a brothel, yet his relentless energy and charisma ultimately lead him to become one of the most celebrated surgeons in his country.

A Lineage Shaped by Love, Ambition, and Country

Antonio’s life intertwines with that of Ana Maria, who becomes the first female doctor in the region. Their daughter, named Venezuela, dreams not of her homeland but of Paris, yet the novel reminds us that no matter how far we travel, our roots remain.

It is through the notebook of Cristobal, the final link in this extraordinary lineage, that the family’s full, astonishing story unfolds.

A Lush, Multi-Generational Epic

Inspired by Bonnefoy’s own ancestry, The Dream of the Jaguar paints a vivid portrait of a family whose fate is inseparable from that of Venezuela itself, a vibrant, emotional saga of identity, ambition, and history.

About the Author

Miguel Bonnefoy, born in France in 1986 to a Venezuelan mother and Chilean father, is an acclaimed novelist whose previous works, Octavio’s Journey and Black Sugar, each sold more than thirty thousand copies in France and have been translated worldwide.

He received the Prix du Jeune Écrivain in 2013, and his novel Heritage earned widespread praise, becoming a finalist for the Prix Femina, the Grand Prix de l’Académie française, and the Goncourt Prize.

About the Translator

Ruth Diver holds a PhD in French and comparative literature from the University of Paris 8 and the University of Auckland. Her translation work has earned multiple honors, including two 2018 French Voices Awards and Asymptote’s Close Approximations fiction prize. She brings exceptional sensitivity and clarity to Bonnefoy’s text.

A Heist on the High Seas: Reviewing ‘Maiden Voyage’ by Bradley Harper

‘Maiden Voyage’ is the exciting new historical novel by Bradley Harper. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Paste Creative Book Tours Participant

Book Review: Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper

Three female thieves, a priceless painting, and a Pinkerton agent aboard the Titanic.
What could go wrong?

Synopsis

Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper follows an unlikely trio of thieves, Colette DuVall, Mary Carr, and Samantha “Sam” McMurphy, as they embark on a daring mission to steal a valuable painting by the French master Blondell. Their plan takes them aboard the RMS Titanic on its ill-fated maiden journey.

Colette, a young jewel thief from Canada, finds her resolve wavering when she meets Harry Worth, a young Pinkerton agent hired to safeguard the wealthy passengers. What she doesn’t know is that Harry is the son of infamous criminal Adam Worth. Torn between his sense of duty and his complicated family legacy, Harry begins questioning where he truly belongs, especially after falling for Colette.

As loyalties collide as fiercely as the ship meets the iceberg, all aboard must fight for survival. Amid disaster, they discover that love might be the greatest thief of all.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Review

Maiden Voyage is a brisk, character-driven historical adventure that blends romance, crime, and maritime tragedy into an undeniably compelling read.

A Vivid Criminal Underworld

The novel opens with Mary Carr and the notorious Forty Elephants gang, a real historical group of female thieves. This grounding in true criminal lore adds texture and authenticity, making the early chapters particularly immersive. When Harry discovers what the gang is planning aboard the Titanic, the tension begins to mount, soon followed by the ship’s own looming catastrophe.

A Strong Emotional Core

The narrative delves deeply into Harry’s personal conflict. As the son of a master criminal, he grapples with the weight of his heritage and the moral ambiguity of justice. His connection with Colette is one of the book’s strongest elements: tender without slowing the pace, layered without becoming overly sentimental.

Memorable Characters & Vivid Writing

Harper’s character development shines. One particularly striking description captures the lived-in dignity of a working woman:

“Her red, chapped hands declaring how she made her way in the world, the well-worn but clean clothes presented a defiant dignity the years and work had yet to take from her.”

These small touches make the characters feel real, and when tragedy strikes, you genuinely root for their survival.

History, Heart, and High Stakes

Harper integrates historical detail without overwhelming the story. The author’s notes at the end provide fascinating context on real figures like Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants, enriching the reading experience.

The Titanic disaster is woven into the plot with restraint and emotional weight. Rather than leaning into melodrama, the novel balances suspense with tenderness, exploring themes of identity, family, and survival.

A Fresh Take on Titanic Fiction

Fast-paced, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt, Maiden Voyage offers a fresh twist on stories set aboard the Titanic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a blend of crime, adventure, and romance will find much to love.

Harper leaves readers with a haunting reminder of the ship’s legacy:

“Beneath the water, the ship plunged 12,000 feet to the ocean floor, full of the wealth of millionaires and the humble possessions of hopeful emigrants; it carried them all away into the frigid darkness. Into legend.”

Get your copy today!
Amazon
Indigo (Canada)
Bookshop.org

About the Author

Bradley Harper is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and pathologist who has conducted more than 200 autopsies and around 20 forensic investigations.

His debut novel, A Knife in the Fog (2018), was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and winner of the 2019 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion for Best Mystery. His second novel, Queen’s Gambit, won the 2020 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense and Book of the Year.
Maiden Voyage is his fourth book.

Author Bradley Harper. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.

*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Love and Loss in Wartime – Mario Fortunato’s ‘The Innocent Days of War’

‘The Innocent Days of War’ is a haunting portrait of WWII lives. Photo: Other Press

Book Spotlight: The Innocent Days of War by Mario Fortunato

Fans of John Boyne and Simon Mawer will find much to admire in Mario Fortunato’s latest novel, The Innocent Days of War (On Sale: October 28, 2025). This gripping coming-of-age story unfolds against the sweeping backdrop of World War II, tracing how love, ambition, and destiny intertwine as Italy and England are forever changed by the war. (Other Press, 2025)

A Story of Youth, War, and Intersecting Lives

Set in central Italy on the eve of World War II, the novel introduces a group of young Italians whose lives are about to be upended by history. Among them is Stefano Portelli, a hopeful young lawyer filled with idealism and in love with Eleonora. His sister-in-law Nina hides a secret relationship with Sergio, a partisan leader fighting for his cause.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, the story follows Alastair Ormiston, an English Royal Air Force pilot who finds solace in the works of Virginia Woolf as he dreams of an ideal companion. His best friend, Edna, seeks her own sense of purpose and joy amid the devastation of Nazi bombings in London.

When these characters’ paths intersect, the result is both tragic and transformative—a convergence of love, loss, and fate that consumes everything in its wake, blending joy and pain into a single, unforgettable tapestry.

About the Author

Mario Fortunato was born in Cirò, Calabria, Italy. A longtime literary critic for L’Espresso, he continues to write for Süddeutsche Zeitung and has contributed to The Guardian and Le Monde. Fortunato is a former director of the Antonio Ratti Foundation and the author of several novels, including South (Other Press, 2023). He has also translated the works of literary greats such as Evelyn Waugh, Virginia Woolf, and Henry James into Italian.

About the Translator

Julia MacGibbon has translated fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including Sunken City by Marta Barone. She lives near Rome.

Praise for Mario Fortunato:

“As I read Fortunato’s writing, I have the impression of being faced with that kind of writer, rare in Italian literature, who, despite starting from a poetic state of mind, nevertheless manages to be a storyteller.”
—Alberto Moravia

“Mario Fortunato is a natural storyteller.”
—Doris Lessing

‘Looking for Tank Man’ is Ha Jin’s Powerful Reckoning with Memory and Protest

‘Looking for Tank Man’ by Ha Jin. Photo: Other Press

Book Spotlight: Looking for Tank Man by Ha Jin

From Ha Jin, the acclaimed author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist Waiting, comes a riveting and timely new novel Looking for Tank Man. In this powerful story of protest and suppression, Ha Jin explores the enduring impact of truth, memory, and moral courage. Available for pre-order, it has a release date of October 21. (Other Press, 2025)

About the Book

When the Chinese premier visits Harvard, international student Pei Lulu encounters a lone protester whose act of defiance will upend her understanding of the People’s Republic—and of herself.

For the first time, Lulu learns of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the government’s violent response. Her search for answers takes her deep into her family’s past, uncovering surprising stories of resistance, and into the heart of a university course built around firsthand accounts of that fateful time.

At once a compelling coming-of-age story and a tribute to the courage of activists, Looking for Tank Man keeps the tragedy of Tiananmen alive in the public memory and serves as a stark warning about the perils of authoritarian power.

About the Author

Ha Jin grew up in mainland China and served five years in the People’s Liberation Army before pursuing a degree in English at Harbin University. He has become one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary fiction.

His novel Waiting won the National Book Award for Fiction, the PEN/Faulkner Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Ha Jin is currently the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor in English and Creative Writing at Boston University and a fellow of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

His works have been translated into over thirty languages. His most recent novel, The Woman Back from Moscow, was published by Other Press in 2023.

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Mathieu Belezi’s ‘Attacking Earth and Sun’: The Human Cost of Empire

‘Attacking Earth and Sun’ will be released on October 28. Photo: Other Press

Book Spotlight: Attacking Earth and Sun by Mathieu Belezi

History rarely tells the full story of conquest. In Attacking Earth and Sun, award-winning French author Mathieu Belezi strips away the illusions of glory to reveal the human cost of empire. This searing English-language debut, translated by Lara Vergnaud, immerses readers in the brutal early days of 19th-century French colonization in Algeria. With chiseled, haunting prose, Belezi condenses years of research into a human account of ambition, violence, and survival.

Attacking Earth and Sun will be published by Other Press on October 28, 2025. It is available for pre-order.

“It is my duty to ask questions, especially questions people don’t want to ask,” Belezi told The New York Times in 2023.

This lyrical and unflinching novel does exactly that. Far from the “pioneer dream” sold by Western powers, Attacking Earth and Sun exposes the hell that was colonization through an unforgettable work of historical fiction. (Other Press, 2025)

The Story

In search of a better life, Séraphine and her family join 500 settlers on a perilous journey to France’s newly conquered Algerian territory. But the promise of prosperity quickly gives way to harsh reality: inadequate shelter, unrelenting weather, illness, and mounting tension with the indigenous population, whose anger and desperation simmer beneath the surface.

As the settlers slowly carve out a fragile community and a church in this foreign land, the French army ravages the Algerian countryside, leaving behind villages in ruin. Through the eyes of a weary soldier constantly reminded by his captain, “You’re no angels!” we witness the staggering cruelty used to crush resistance and the haunting moral decay it breeds.

With prose reminiscent of William Faulkner, Belezi transforms historical record into art. The result is a novel that is poetic and devastatingly real, a story that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, empire, and humanity.

About the Author

Mathieu Belezi is the author of more than a dozen novels. His career began with Le petit roi, which won the Marguerite-Audoux Prize in 1999. Attacking Earth and Sun earned both the Prix Livre Inter and the Le Monde Literary Prize. Having traveled widely and taught in Louisiana, Belezi now divides his time between France and Italy.

About the Translator

Lara Vergnaud is an acclaimed translator of prose, creative nonfiction, and scholarly works from French. She is the recipient of two PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grants and a French Voices Grand Prize, and has been nominated for the National Translation Award. She currently lives in France.

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Folklore and Legacy in Medieval Cornwall: A Review of ‘Megge of Bury Down’

‘Megge of Bury Down: Book One of the Bury Down Chronicles’ by Rebecca Kightlinger. Photo: Amazon

Megge of Bury Down: The Bury Down Chronicles, Book One

By Rebecca Kightlinger

📖 Synopsis

Bury Down Grove, 1275

A thousand years have passed since Murga, the Seer of Bury Down, was put to the stake.

It had taken the elderly seer a lifetime to harness into two volumes—The Book of Time and The Book of Seasons—the power to sustain the human spirit in perpetuity and summon the spirits of scholars, seers, astronomers, and healers she called the Mentors. These guides were summoned back to the living world to impart knowledge and wisdom to protect the people of her settlement.

That power cost Murga her life.

For centuries, her books have been passed down to her successors—healers and seers of Bury Down—who used Murga’s spells to counsel rulers, foresee disasters, and heal the sick. Each heir vowed to face flames rather than fail to protect her book or pass it to her daughter.

Now, in the grove at midnight, the healer’s young daughter, Megge, is asked to accept her mother’s Book of Seasons. But wary of the rites and haunted by an accusing whisper only she can hear, Megge hesitates. Refusal could cost her mother’s life—and alter the future of Bury Down. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

🌿 Review

Rebecca Kightlinger’s Megge of Bury Down, the first installment in The Bury Down Chronicles, is a spellbinding tale steeped in folklore, family, and the burden of legacy.

Set in medieval Cornwall, the novel follows young Megge, daughter of a respected healer and keeper of the Book of Seasons. When the time comes for her to inherit this sacred role, Megge is torn between fear of mysterious rites and the haunting whispers only she can hear. Her reluctance carries weighty consequences, for refusing her calling may endanger her mother—and the lineage of healers.

Kightlinger masterfully blends historical detail with mysticism, weaving a story that feels both grounded and otherworldly. Megge is a relatable heroine—curious, vulnerable, and caught in the tension of duty versus self. The prose is lyrical and atmospheric, capturing both the beauty and the shadow of Cornwall. “Two masts. Two tall masts have pierced the horizon, their sails crimson with the setting sun.” Readers will find themselves gripped by the suspense of whether Megge will embrace her destiny.

✨ Why You Should Read This Book

More than a tale of magic, Megge of Bury Down is a meditation on courage, identity, and sacrifice. It’s a story about the weight of legacy, the fear of failure, and the courage to choose one’s path—even when it means stepping into fire.

If you love:

  • Historical fantasy with rich, immersive settings
  • Folklore and mysticism woven into everyday life
  • Strong female characters facing impossible choices

…then this book deserves a place on your reading list.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

👩‍💻 About the Author

Rebecca Kightlinger, a former physician turned novelist, infuses her writing with an appreciation for healing, tradition, and women’s resilience across history. Megge of Bury Down is the first book in her acclaimed Bury Down Chronicles series.

*Thank you to Smith Publicity and NetGalley for my copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Related Posts:

New release: ‘Megge of Bury Down’ by Rebecca Kightlinger

Author Q & A with Rebecca Kightlinger

Haunting Beauty and Hidden Grief: A Review of ‘The Rose Window’

‘The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance’ is book 1 in the Thornecrest series by Alsen Barrett. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

📖 The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance by Alsen Barrett

🕯️ Synopsis

In the year of our Lord 1673, amid the heathered hills of northern England, there stood a castle that had not known laughter in many years. Its walls, veiled in ivy and mist, held secrets like dried flowers pressed in an old book — fragile, faded, and forgotten. (Amazon, 2025)

A carriage wound its way through the bleak moors of Northumbria. The wheels creaked over rutted roads, and the horses’ hooves struck dull thuds against the earth, muffled by the ever-rolling fog. Inside the carriage sat a girl, pale of face and quiet in manner. Her name was Elowen Gray, and she was seventeen.

She had been summoned by a distant relation — a Lord Ashenleigh — whom she had never met, whose name she had only seen on the brittle corner of a letter.

It was to this castle that young Elowen Gray was sent. Orphaned in a far-off parish and now to be taken in by a man she did not know, she arrived on a gray autumn afternoon, with only a travel-worn satchel and a heart full of uncertainty.

✍️ About the Author

Alsen Barrett is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She enjoys reading, history, travel and of course, dogs, which feature prominently in many of the stories .

🕯️ Book Review

The Rose Window is a haunting tale that blends gothic atmosphere, emotional depth, and slow-burning romance. After seventeen-year-old Elowen Gray, orphaned and shaped by quiet grief, is summoned to the shadowy estate of a distant relative, she steps into a world of hidden histories, stained glass, and forbidden longing.

Barrett’s prose is lyrical and immersive, perfectly suited to the fog-draped moors and shadowed corridors of the manor:

“Though beautiful, there was a sadness in its stones, as though the castle itself mourned.”

Elowen’s introspective nature and quiet strength make her a compelling heroine, while Lord Ashenleigh, aloof yet magnetic, hides secrets that echo through the manor’s creaking halls. The novel is richly atmospheric, with a romantic melancholy that fans of the Brontë sisters or Daphne du Maurier will deeply appreciate.

More than a romance, The Rose Window explores themes of grief, inheritance, memory, and the fragile hope that love offers in the darkest places. A story that lingers like a half-remembered dream, it is a poignant and captivating debut that deserves a place among modern gothic classics.

“The castle appeared not gradually but all at once, rising from the hills like something unearthed. High towers pierced the sky. Ivy clung to its stone bones like the grasp of time itself.”

🏰 The Thornecrest Series

The Rose Window is a stand-alone novel and the first in the Thornecrest Series, a collection of interconnected gothic tales exploring generations of secrets, romance, and legacy. Book 1 and Book 8 are currently free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited for a limited time.

Books in the Series:

  1. The Rose Window: A Gothic Historical Romance
  2. The Rose Window: Return to Thornecrest
  3. The Rose Window: Rosamund’s Tale
  4. The Rose Window: The Ashen Flame
  5. The Rose Window: The Legacy of Thornecrest
  6. The Rose Window: Flame of the Firstborn
  7. The Rose Window: The Healing
  8. The Rose Window: Christmas at Thornecrest

Have you read this gothic gem? Share your thoughts in the comments — or tell me your favorite moody, romantic reads! 🌒📚

*This review was sponsored by the author. I received a complimentary copy and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

From Paris to Tel Aviv: The Global Intrigue of ‘Lovers of Franz K.’ by Burhan Sönmez

‘Lovers of Franz K’ is the new novel by Burhan Sönmez. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

Burhan Sönmez is the author of six novels, which have been published in more than thirty languages. He was born in Turkey and grew up speaking Turkish and Kurdish. He worked as a lawyer in Istanbul before going into political exile in Britain. Sönmez’s writing has appeared in such publications as The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, and La Repubblica. His previous novels include “Labyrinth” and “Stone and Shadow.” He was elected president of PEN International in 2021.

His new novel “Lovers of Franz K.: A Novel” is an inventive literary obituary for Kafka, perfect for both Kafka fans and lovers of historical literary page turners in the vein of Anne Berest’s “The Postcard” and Colm Toibin’s “The Magician.” Translated by Samî Hêzil, it will be released on April 1, 2025 and is available for pre-order. (Other Press, 2025)

About the Translator: Samî Hêzil is a writer and translator from northern Kurdistan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature, and has been translating literary and scientific works from English into Kurdish since 2000. His short stories and scholarly articles in Kurdish have been published by a variety of literary publications. He teaches Kurdish literature at Kurdî-Der (The Kurdish Language Association) in Van, Turkey.

“Lovers of Franz K: A Novel” – This thriller of love and revenge brings the Cold War to life, from Paris and Istanbul to West Berlin and Tel Aviv.

Amid the student protests in 1960s Europe, Kafka’s best friend Max Brod becomes a target of their ire. Against the dying writer’s wishes, he had published texts that never should have been part of his legacy. After Brod is injured in an attempted assassination, assailant Ferdy Kaplan is captured and questioned by Commissioner Müller at the West Berlin police station.

As his interrogation progresses through dialogues in the police station, the courtroom, and prison, Kaplan’s background is revealed piece by piece. From the love story between him and his childhood friend Amalya, to their shared passion for Kafka, it leads them to join a radical group. But when a shocking discovery is made about the person who ultimately set Brod’s attempted murder in motion, Kaplan and Müller agree to work together to expose the truth.

In this gripping, thought-provoking tribute to Kafka, Burhan Sönmez vividly recreates a key period of history when the Berlin Wall divided Europe and women were fighting for freedom and against tradition, adopting Jean Seberg’s iconic short haircut from Breathless. More than a typical mystery, “Lovers of Franz K” is a brilliant exploration of the value of books, and the issues of anti-Semitism, immigration, and violence that recur in Kafka’s life and writings.

“PEN International president Sönmez (Stone and Shadow) wrestles with fraught questions of loyalty and legacy in this contemplative literary thriller…Sönmez’s sharp thematic layering and concise worldbuilding impress. This is a good bet for mystery readers seeking something off the beaten path.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“A gripping tale of youthful single-mindedness and institutionalization…a glass-bottomed boat swirling through the Bosphorus of Kafka’s consciousness and works, glaring into the depths of him, his mercurial shadows and shifting states.”
—Lemn Sissay, author of My Name Is Why

“Lovers of Franz K. is a gripping tale of idealism colliding with history and moral uncertainty. It portrays characters scarred by their past as they grapple with unanswerable questions and make startling decisions. Exploring passion, loyalty, and history, Sönmez’s novel will leave you questioning what it truly means to write, to love, and to honor the literary creator versus the creation.”
—Ava Homa, author of Daughters of Smoke and Fire

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Illuminating ‘Going Dark’: Insights and Reflections on Mehok’s Latest Work

‘Going Dark’ is George K. Mehok’s latest techno thriller. Photo: Barnes & Noble

It is the sixth year of the American Revolution in 1781 and Captain John “Jack” Jouett is traveling through the Virginia forest with his horse Celer. The British have captured his father and as he reaches a stand point trying to avoid British troops, he sees ghostly riders walking along and they appear to be taking his father towards the sea, possibly towards a British prison ship. Jouett’s ultimate mission is to deliver a critical message from Thomas Jefferson to General Henry Knox.

In present day Illinois, Hassan and Yousef are brothers and getting ready to commit an act of terrorism. Yousef is only 25 years old and he’s excited for the mission but Hassan is hardened by his life experiences. Commander Khalid is their leader and they are trained to follow orders to the letter and without question, even if it involves family.

In Ohio, Paul Knox is having a hard time sleeping because the web’s usual chatter has gone quiet and he knows that’s not a good sign. It’s still early in the morning and he’s in bed with Sara and reminiscing about their life together. He is distracted; he needs to go back to the lab and go over the data because he has the nagging feeling that he has missed something. With his daughter Emma on his mind, he turns to say goodbye to Sara but she was only a hallucination.

These three narrative are connected and as the lines between past and present blur, Paul races against time to protect Emma and unravel past mysteries that could change history. He has spent his life tracking the “worst of the worst” on the dark web but this case is unlike any he has ever seen.

“Going Dark” is a gripping cyber-thriller that plunges readers into the high-stakes world of digital warfare and national security. The story follows Paul Knox, a seasoned cyber forensics expert and former Air Force officer, as he faces a relentless adversary determined to cripple critical infrastructure.

Mehok’s writing is sharp and immersive, blending technical cyber warfare details with heart-pounding action. It is descriptive and hooks you in from the very first sentence: “A pine branch reached out, raking Jack’s face, its needles stabbing his neck like a swarm of angry yellow jackets.” Paul is very observant and his descriptions of the TSA agents are vivid and spot-on: “His sunken, dark brown eyes radiated emotionless confidence, yet his stare carried a hint of weary tension.”

The action is fast-paced, keeping readers on edge as Knox unravels a conspiracy that extends beyond digital realms into real-world danger. The character development is strong—Knox is a compelling protagonist whose intelligence and resilience make him an engaging lead while the conflicts feel urgent and authentic. Since there are multiple story lines, the narrative is non-linear but easy to follow along. *Trigger warning: the action during the Thanksgiving Day terrorist attack may be too intense for some readers.

Overall, “Going Dark” by George K. Mehok is a suspenseful and thrilling novel with realistic portrayals of cyber threats and national security risks, making it a timely and thought-provoking read. Fans of techno-thrillers and military espionage similar to the works of Dan Brown and Brad Thor will find this book both thrilling and insightful.

“Revenge burns deep in your heart. Revenge can be a powerful elixir; beware, it must be consumed in small quantities.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Related post: Cyber Intrigue and Historical Drama: Mehok’s Debut Novel ‘Going Dark’

Charif Majdalani’s Latest Novel: A Chronicle of the Rise and Fall of the Nassar Clan

‘A History of the Big House: A Novel’ is the new novel by Charif Majdalani. Photo: Other Press

Charif Majdalani was born in Lebanon in 1960 and is one of the most important figures in Lebanese literature today. After living in France for thirteen years, he returned to Lebanon in 1993 and now teaches French literature at the Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut. His novel “Moving the Palace” won the 2008 François Mauriac Prize from the Académie Française as well as the Prix Tropiques. His previous book “Beirut 2020: Diary of the Collapse” was published by Other Press in 2021. “A History of the Big House: A Novel,”his new novel, will be released on December 17, 2024. It is available for pre-order through Other Press. (Other Press, 2024)

From Charif Majdalani, one of the most important figures in Lebanese literature today, comes a sweeping family saga, “A History of the Big House: A Novel.” It chronicles the rise and fall of the Nassar clan, as they navigate the great events of the 20th century in Lebanon, from the Ottoman Empire to the French Mandate, following the various generations’ fight to keep and maintain their family house, and subsequent paths to exile.

At the end of the 19th century, a man is forced to flee his village after a quarrel. Starting over with nothing, the banished, audacious Wakim Nassar will create orange plantations on the outskirts of Beirut and become the head of a large clan, feared and respected. The great house he builds at their center will become a powerful symbol of the Nassars’ glory, admired from afar. The eponymous sits at the center of this grand novel, becoming its main character. Everyone and everything, from the Nassar family to the course of history, seems to evolve alongside this home. But this decadence is short-lived, battered by the First World War, illness, family tragedy, and the shifting regimes that control Lebanon. As circumstances compel Wakim’s descendants, one by one, to leave the house, it falls into ruin.

A rich saga, full of unforgettable characters and anchored in historical fact, perfect for fans of Hala Alyan’s atmospheric family stories, “A History of the Big House: A Novel” captures the unique experience of the Lebanese people through this family’s triumphs and struggles.

About the Translator: Ruth Diver holds a PhD in French and comparative literature from the University of Paris 8 and the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She won two 2018 French Voices Awards for her translations of Marx and the Doll by Maryam Madjidi, and Titus Did Not Love Berenice by Nathalie Azoulai. She also won Asymptote’s 2016 Close Approximations fiction prize for her translation of extracts of Maraudes by Sophie Pujas.

Advance Praise for ‘A History of the Big House‘: 

“This is what happens when poets write history; Majdalani weaves facts and dreams, the lives of men and nations, real and imagined, the smell of orange trees, of strong, black coffee on a Levantine morning—you can almost taste it. I could see that big house; I recognized it. This book took me home.”
—Yara Zgheib, author of No Land to Light On

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