Stephanie Marie ThorntonRecensioni

Fluff. But fun, informative fluff about Teddy Roosevelt’s walk-on-the-wild-side daughter Alice. I did learn a lot about the times and politics of that era. Save me from the cage of constrictive social conventions please!

The first third of the book was so slow that I put the book down for a few months. When I picked it up again it was a bit better. A historical fiction account of Elizabeth Bentley, an American, turned Soviet spy, turned American Patriot. Interesting, except when reading the author's notes she inserted her own family's history into the story. No, no, no. I know there is fiction in this book, but this seems so wrong. Stick to Elizabeth Bently's life. She seemed to have an interesting but sad life as an adult.

Tiger Queens sheds light on people and a time in history that is often overlooked. Genghis Khan is one of those figures everyone knows about, and that's it. It was fascinating delving into this time in history and meeting all of the different women and their impact on the surrounding landscape. With that said, this is not for the faint of heart. While it was interesting as a first dive into Mongolian history, I didn't find it especially captivating but more gruesome and shocking. This is a brutal and tough time period, with several dynamic female characters. Even so, I found myself often wishing for the book to end.

For starters, I just want to warn readers that there is a lot of sexual violence in this book. The Mongolian steppes were incredibly dangerous, particularly for women; although, warring tribes usually were hazardous to women, no matter where they were located. It's a difficult subject to tackle, and some readers might be uncomfortable with just how much rape there is in this book because there is a lot, especially at the beginning, so I just want to warn readers of that.

Aside from the rape, I often found the women's stories were watered down and made too mundane. Unfortunately, there are so few sources from this time period, so it probably wasn't easy researching this book. That said, I was personally put off by the fact that the majority of the stories centered around rape and birth. There were so many child birthing scenes. I suppose that's why Thornton tried to spice it up by creating a prophecy that Borte's actions would wreak havoc over the steppes. Unfortunately, that fell flat too, as it's extremely clear that Borte's actions have nothing to do with the wars being raged between the clans.

That's the thing I've noticed with Thornton's books. With both this and Hatshepsut, she has these fascinating subjects, gives them both prophecies to add some drama, but then the prophecy happens independently of the central characters. It makes their stories sometimes seem superfluous. I wish Thornton took more artistic license to have the women be more involved in politics, so she could show us how they could be cunning and competent and not just doomed.

I do think this book got better over time. Alaqai, Fatima, and Sorkhokhtani were all very dynamic women with desires, schemes, and fears. Although, I found that sometimes Thornton would move away just as things became exciting. Alaqai, in particular, sounds like she had an eventful life, but it didn't really play out that way in the novel. Meanwhile Sorkhokhtani is on the edge of the story for so long that when she finally takes center stage, she still doesn't really take command of her story.

Despite its faults, this book is very interesting, and I'm glad I read it. I recommend it for the historical fiction reader who is looking for something different and challenging and isn't about Nazis. Just remember to proceed with caution, as it's a very heavy read.

This book took me FOREVER to finish. I read the first two installments in this series-A Day of Fire and A Year of Ravens. Those feature a myriad of complex and sympathetic characters that made me feel for them all the more because their lives centered around such a tragic moment in history. Maybe it was because Song of War was all about fictional characters and a fictional war that it lacked the same emotional impact as its predecessors. There was a story or two that shone above the rest, but overall, I just didn't care and couldn't wait for it to be over. I would've given up if I wasn't so stubborn.

Kate Quinn opened this anthology, and she is flawless as always. Everything she writes is amazing and layered and transports me to another era. Even in short story format, her story The Apple is no exception.

I also liked Shecter's The Horse, but that was because it was succinct.

Thornton's story of The Prophecy was middling for me. Cassandra was a compelling character, but the story felt repetitive and unremarkable.

Everything else I couldn't stand, particularly Whitfield's piece about Agamnemnon. Gosh, was that a slog. I couldn't care less about a character than I did about him. He was either drunk or in heat the whole time. There was no evidence of the great king he was supposed to be. A major letdown of one of mythologies more well-known characters.

As for everything else, all you need to know is that everyone was either screwing each other or wanted to. That's pretty much it. Now, I like some good Harlequin every now and then, but this was all just angsty and "I'm drawn to him but I don't love him. He's too powerful for an emotion as human as love." Blah blah blah. Please. Spare me.

So, I'll spare you, reader of my review. Read maybe the first couple stories, and then just go read the Iliad. You're not missing any nuance by skipping this.

It's the most bizarre thing. Full of historical details, a sweet romance, and unique characters, Daughter of the Gods should be a knock-out success. In spite of those attractions, the book just falls flat. With each new chapter, you pick it up, you start to become engrossed, and the next thing you know, you're counting down until it ends. This book isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. It's just a bit boring.

As one of Egypt's most well-known female pharaohs, Hatshepsut is an intriguing and complex character. In Thornton's novel, you glimpse some of that complexity, but it's mostly buried underneath pages and pages of hugs and kisses between her and her commoner lover Senenmut. It's hard to root for a character when they are always happy and when everything always goes their way. Just when you think the witch's prophecy of Hatshepsut ruining everyone's lives with her ambition is about to come true, everything works out. It was that prophecy that kept me going, kept me hoping that Hatshepsut's greed would eventually get in the way of things, but it never does. I have never wanted a powerful woman to screw up so badly.

Let me just say that I love romance and I love reading about royal women. However, Thornton's novel is sorely lacking in conflict. Every time an issue pops up (the Nubians revolt, the expedition fails, there's a coup, her lover might be cheating on her), Hatshepsut is confident she can overcome it, and she does. She's never concerned. She's never afraid, and it just becomes repetitive and boring. I want to read about a woman struggling to hold onto her throne because that is never easy regardless of who you are. Instead, any of her real struggles are relegated to a paragraph of off-page action, at most. As a result, when things finally fell apart, I felt more relieved than anything.

If you're looking for historical fiction lite and are inclined towards Ancient Egypt, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, if you want a story you connect with, read one of Michelle Moran's novels. Her ability to get inside her heroines' minds is more gripping than Thornton's big, long love story.

Of course I knew who Mary Shelley was, and I had heard of Mary Wollstonecraft, but I hadn't put the two names together. This is the story of both of them, mother and daughter, alternating chapters. I learned a great deal about both women and appreciate all that they accomplished during a time period where women were generally expected to be quiet and at home and obey the norms of society. I was inspired to read more about these ladies on the internet and found that the author stuck very much to what is actually known of them.½

This novel is centered around one of the most famous mothers and daughters in history. Mary Wollstonecraft, 18th-century writer, died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Mary, who would become Mary Shelley, author of the classic Frankenstein. This book intertwines their life stories and is more than packed with drama and scandal. I enjoyed this novel a lot and would recommend it to anyone interested in this era and these remarkable women.

All I want is a man with a little imagination. Is that too much to ask?

So Jacqueline got a man with a WIDE imagination and her decision to marry him turned her life in a completely different direction. I liked reading about her very much. I knew almost nothing about her so I learned a lot. I googled often to know more about that times, different personalities, to see her in all those clothes described.

I was astounded by her inner power, by her strong love towards Jack, and by her willingness to make the world a better place. While I was reading the book, I felt all her disappointments, fears, and pain by myself. The author did a really good job delivering Jackie's state of mind and her point of view on different things.

I absolutely loved reading this novel. So I think I'll continue to improve my knowledge of some women in history with Stephanie Thornton.

I received an advanced copy from NetGallery. I tried my hardest to get into this book but I couldn’t. I thought Alice was a spoiled brat and I couldn’t stand reading her. I will try reading this again but this time I didn’t like it.

“faithful, resolute, alive, You and the Two Lands that has no enemies; This life is no more than a dream, so seize the day before it passes!”
― Stephanie Thornton, Daughter of the Gods: A Novel of Ancient Egypt

Anyone who knows me knows I adore Historical Fiction and love Historical fiction about EGYPT.

It was my first book about Hatshepsut so I went in knowing little about her. I knew some of her story because I have read so many books about Cleopatra and those books made so many references to Hatshepsut that I did pick up some information.

This book was good. Very good. But it also left me strangely a little let down, despite my love of Historical Fiction especially when it comes to royalty.

I did read it to the end and I did enjoy reading it. I would actually give this 3.5 stars if I could.

But what was missing for me was the furious page turning that I get when reading certain books, the strong need to get to the end, the electrifying atmosphere and tension. I did not feel any of that. At the end of the day I was glad I read it as it was well researched and interesting but it did not have that "wow" factor for me although I think I am in the minority on this one regarding that.

I am not sure why. Maybe because I did not feel transported there. My favorite books in this genre are ones where I feel I am there. And I can feel the beauty and strong atmosphere all around me. That did not happen her e and it was also a book that took me some time to finish. ,My favorite books are ones that become all night page turners for me and that really did not happen here.

It is a great book to read if one is a fan of Historical Fiction. I would say this one's in the middle for me. I did enjoy it but I did not feel love it. Still recommended though as it was an obviously very well researched book.½

"The deeds of our husbands, our brothers, and our sons have eclipsed our own as surely as when the moon ate the sun during the first battle of Nishapur. "

The Tiger Queens, Stephanie Marie Thornton

Five stars. Maybe the best of the year so far.

I am having such a year with books in 2020. I have had the pleasure to read lots of 4 and 5 star books, particularly in the last month or so. This maybe the best of the year so far.

For a book about Genghis Khan, I did not think this book would be so....soulful. But it is. The story is told by the women he loved and who loved him.

And I went into it, thinking I'd not like it or maybe even DNF. I took a chance. The last book I attempted to read, told about a famous warrior from the viewpoint of the women who loved him, was "The conqueror's wife" about the women who loved Alexander the Great and I never finished it.

But how wrong was I! This book is amazing. It is narrated by four different women, all of whom were intricate parts of Genghis Khan's life.

The first part of the book..and the longest story..is told by his first wife, Borte Ujin. What a woman she was! I love reading about strong women and Borte Ujin falls into that category. She had more strength in one finger than many have in a lifetime. Reading about her was a wonderful experience.

As I said, her story is first and the longest. It starts shortly before she meets Genghis for the first time, when she is just a young girl. But it continues through many many days and years of both deep darkness and tragedy as well as searing and intense beauty.

Then there are three other point of views, including Alaqui, the first daughter of Khan, Fatima, (The Rose), a captured slave and Sorkhokhtan, his daughter in law.

All four women's stories are fascinating in their own right. And all four women live through so much tragedy.

Tiger Queens spans years. It is a long book filled with love, loss and mesmerizing stories and events. It is also not for the faint of heart. There is blood and gore and rape and death..just know that before you go into it. And there is also extreme violence, torture and rape. So TRIGGER ALERT! Also, I am the first to turn away from stories involving animal cruelty but this story is about a culture that did indeed do things like eat horse meat on a regular basis. I was OK during these scenes but do feel compelled to let the reader know.

But that is a small part of the book. Tiger Queens is at once a cultural read as well as a story about families and love, friendships and loyalty. The story that emerges is hauntingly lovely and captivating. I was..and am..enthralled.

Atmosphere plays a big role and the villages and customs of the Mongol empire are described in detailed and starkly gorgeous prose that is all consuming and drops you right into the book itself. Time will slip away from you are you read this.

I think you will know, almost from the start if this is a book for you or not. I love the sensitivity in Khan that the reader is made deeply aware of. He loved and he loved hard. He loved his wife, his children and his whole family as they did him. I was struck by the loyalty and devotion depicted here.

It is impossible..or at least it was for me..not to feel as though I am walking in the villages with these people. You will feel everything from the winds blowing across the villages to the glimmering snowmelt to the lush fields and lakes and streams. I do not see how once read, anyone will be able to ever forget this book.

Alice Roosevelt, the oldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, was only two days old when her mother died. Her father was unable to cope with the situation of his wife's death and handed over Alice to his sister Anna. He would later remarry and father several more children. Alice meanwhile becomes a reminder all through his life of the love he lost. Alice would fight for his love and for his attention. She became a woman that took her life in her own hands. She married the man she wanted, she fought her Roosevelt cousins when they thwarted her family's political plans. And she finally found some happiness. Alas, not everything lasts forever.

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!

Thanks to Stephanie Marie Thornton, Berkley, and Edelweiss for the chance to read this book in return for an honest review. This book has a publication date of Sept. 14, 2021.

Catherine Gray has just lost her mother and learned the news that will forever change her life. She confronts the one woman who can answer all of her questions, Elizabeth Bentley, a famous spy, and Communist. While holding her at gunpoint, Catherine demands that Elizabeth be held accountable for killing her mother. In order for this to happen, Catherine must learn Elizabeth's history.

Elizabeth Bentley has lost her parents and has no friends to speak of. She soon meets a woman named Lee who lives in her apartment house and is recruited into the American Communist Party. Soon after, it is determined that she is far more valuable to the Party than originally thought and she is soon taught how to be a spy and pass that information along to her handler who gives her the code name of Clever Girl. As she and her handler become more involved, she is given access to untold secrets that make her invaluable. After her handler dies, she continues to operate on her own until the Party decides she is incapable and demands she step down. In order to protect herself, She goes to the FBI and is made a double agent - she would now report the Party's movements to J. Edgar Hoover. During the height of the Cold War, Elizabeth testifies before the Senate regarding her contacts within the Communist Party to stay alive. Catherine learns that there is more to Elizabeth than she ever imagined.

I had never heard of Elizabeth Bentley before and I found the story based on her life thrilling. The research was well done and told in a manner that you wanted to read the story quickly as well as make it last. Stephanie Marie Thornton did a fantastic job of weaving the fact with the fiction to ensure a readable story that made the reader want more. This was my first read by Thornton but I can guarantee that it will not be my last.

Boring-I could not concentrate on this book. Kept wandering......

This is what historical fiction should be! Interesting, well researched, and thoughtful. One of those books that sends you to Google to check on it's accuracy. While she combines and adds some characters, the book is an accurate, interesting story. She started out as a naive, lonely, young who was appalled at the Anti fascist movement and got sucked into by ideas of communism. I didn't want to put it down. Remember the cold war & spies...well she was in it up to her ears.

Moving history of the life of Empress Theodora, a woman who went from child prostitute to become the most powerful woman in the Byzantine world, and the focus of a great love story. Wonderfully written story of survival and the heartbreaking moments that make up Theodora's infamous, mysterious, endlessly unknowable life.

I'm not sure I'm cut out for historical fiction. I mean, I love learning about the time period and how people lived, but dealing with fictional characters as they experience all the violence and the rape and the death and the helplessness of their time? No. Too heart-breaking, too gut-wrenching. ...I should probably stick to my fantasy alternate histories or historical mysteries and encounter history in the safe confines of a nonfiction tome.

American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt is a difficult book to plow through. There is way too much dialogue. The woman never worked in her life, was taken care of by her father then her philandering husband. She lived a life doing whatever she wanted to and saying whatever she wanted to no matter the consequences. There was no mention of any philanthropic organizations who were grateful for her contributions. Nothing. Because of the tremendous use of dialogue and droll woman's life this book only receives three stars in this review and is not recommended.

From the opening chapters, Stephanie Thorton and Theodora grabbed me and I decided I would start following this author who gives life to forgotten women in history. It was a raw rags to riches story in which a lowly actress rose to become Empress. Back then, actresses were looked down upon and just one rank above prostitute.

I loved Theodora's fire and venomous tongue along with her friend Antonia. Frenemies to the end, their banter were some of my favorite passages in the book.

This book pulls no punches in describing 6th century hard scrabble life. This can be described as a historical romance book but life was in no way romantic by then.

I fully support Stephanie's mission to shed light on forgotten women in history and look forward to what else she will dig up in the future.

This is Stephanie's second book about mostly forgotten historical women who made history. Her first work, which I loved, followed the captivating Theodora. This book follows the equally captivating Hatshepsut, a princess who became Pharaoh.

Theodora left me thirsting for more and researching .... did this really happen? Hatshepsut left me wondering what she actually accomplished. The book mentioned many times how the people loved her and the granaries were full. What were actually her big accomplishments? I'm wondering that her biggest accomplishment was building monuments that expounded her many accomplishments.

I did love the little details (e.g. food) throughout the book and I'm entertaining the idea of growing myrrh trees myself (I live in a place apparently weather wise similar to the legendary Punt)

Stephanie raised the bar with Theodora so much that this second novel just had too many expectations. I look forward to her next adventure when we ride with Genghis Khan.

4.5 Stars!

Four tiger women tell the story of the Mongol Empire in four tragic and harrowing sections. It's Joy Luck Club for ancient Mongol history. I love how Stephanie Thorton gives voice to nearly forgotten women in history.

I remember reading about Genghis Khan's family drama and how each shuffle and sniffle felt like it would change the course of history. Those books are written from Genghis Khan's points of view building on a story on manly bloody conquest. Now Tiger Queens is not as bloody but do not shy away from bloody contact.

With a confusing and missing from history Mongolian family tree, some cuts (and merges) had to made to make the story work. I'm saddened but not docking her for not including more about Genghis Khan's brothers and Subutai, his most decorated general.

The villains of the story were one dimensional. The four tiger queens were some of the beautifully crafted people I've seen in the literary world. Stephanie is one my new favorite authors and I look forward to what she has next (Alexander the Great's women)

Finally, a book on Alexander the Great that I actually liked - almost loved. Told by 4 people in the first person: Thessalonike his half-sister, the Persian princess Drypetis, Roxana daughter of a minor Persian nobleman, and Hephaestion, his best friend and lover, this book put Alexander in a much darker light as, not a god, but a man.

The book boasts about the women in Alexander's life and one of the four narrators is man, Hephaestion. Unlike a lot of reviewers, I found the narrators too similar in voice and tone - so much snark and fight in them. I would have loved to hear from Stateira, the more demure Persian Princess or the conniving Olympias, Alexander's mom.

At 496 pages, it's a lot of book. It's a lot of good book and I learned a lot. I rather liked the name of Roxanne ... now after learning more about Roxanne and her deeds, that name has dropped a lot in my book.

This novel, the story of Elizabeth Bentley, a Soviet spy turned informant, is engaging from the first page to the last. Elizabeth is young and very alone in the world when she is introduced to communism and joins the Communist Party of the USA, a place where her talents are appreciated and she develops a few friendships. But before long, she's recruited to help pass intelligent from the US to the Soviet Union. Believing she's helping defeat Nazis, Elizabeth helps to manage one of the largest Soviet spy networks. But after WWII ends, she realizes her Soviet contacts may more sinister motivations and Elizabeth decides to take what she knows to the FBI. I'm surprised I haven't encountered this story before, but I'm very glad I did. This novel makes for a fascinating story and one that kept me turning the pages.

I really enjoyed this fictional biography. Jack and Jackie were so much a part of my coming of age, and the 1960s will always be more vivid because of them. The author did a good job of making them real while keeping the facts close to what we remember. to this day, most people know exactly where they were as they events played out.

Few of us can claim to be the authors of our fate. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy knows no other choice. With the eyes of the world watching, Jackie uses her effortless charm and keen intelligence to carve a place for herself among the men of history and weave a fairy tale for the American people, embodying a senator’s wife, a devoted mother, a First Lady—a queen in her own right.

But all reigns must come to an end. Once JFK travels to Dallas and the clock ticks down those thousand days of magic in Camelot, Jackie is forced to pick up the ruined fragments of her life and forge herself into a new identity that is all her own, that of an American legend.

I really did enjoy this story but I wished the pacing was a bit better. I understand that Alice Roosevelt wasn’t as prominent in society in the 50s compared to the 1910s but it felt like the book led to a rapid conclusion for the last 40 or so years of her life. 3.5 stars