The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #6) by Michael Scott

I was very disappointed with this book. I have enjoyed the series and was really looking forward to reading this last book in the series. But with all the time between the books, I found that I had forgotten many of the names and who was doing what where. So, I struggled to try to catch up in my memory. Meanwhile, the book jumps back and forth between various actions going on at different places, and I became even more confused. But mostly, I was just very disappointed with the story. This plot had potential, which flowed through each installment, but which was never actualized in this last book of the series. The plot of The Enchantress was far-fetched, and the wrap up to the series was extremely dissatisfying.

Mad River by John Sandford

This book is very disappointing! After losing faith in Sandford (after he forgot one of his character's history, in an earlier book), I gave up on him - except for Virgil Flowers. I have always thought that Virgil is an interesting, well-developed character; so, I was looking forward to reading Mad River. Upon completing the book, however, I find that I have nothing positive to say about it, except that it is a Virgil Flowers book (and not even a good one of those).

In my opinion, the writing in Mad River is sub par, especially for Sandford. In addition, the plot is uninteresting and predictable. And lastly, I don't know how he could possibly do it, but Sandford has even managed to make his remaining interesting character uninteresting. This is not the same Virgil Flowers who has been developed - and has captured our hearts - in previous books.

I suspect that the time has come for this reviewer to part ways with Sandford. 

Not Recommended.

Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart by Dion Fortune

My copy is simply entitled "Avalon of the Heart", copyright 1934. Nonetheless, this little book captures the magic of Avalon...the magic that can still be felt in Glastonbury today.

The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution by Deborah Harkness

Like with her fiction, Harkness makes History come alive once again! This nonfiction publication drew me in as if it were a novel. I really enjoyed The Jewel House. I learned a great deal, and I highly recommend it!

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

The more I think about this book, the more I think that perhaps I was too harsh with the number of stars that I allotted to it. Not sure I'd give it 4 stars, but perhaps 3 and 1/2! I didn't like this book as much as Kearsley's The Winter Sea. I don't think it is as well written, and I thought it was predictable. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the story...especially toward the end of the book.

The Rope (Anna Pigeon Prequel) by Nevada Barr

I liked the book, though I think this prequel might conflict with the picture Barr paints of the later Anna Pigeon in her earlier Pigeon books. As with her other books, the writing is not fantastic, but Anna Pigeon is a great character! Worth reading just for Anna.

The School of Night: A Novel by Alan Wall

I had difficulty getting into this book. Once I did, I learned very little about the School of Night. I was fascinated, though, by his analysis of Shakespeare and the question of who really wrote what is attributed to Shakespeare. In my opinion, that part of the book may warrant it a third star.