Though low on thrills, the book engagingly explores secrets of the past in a concise and dreamy way.
Maggi’s historical novel takes readers through a brief exploration of ancient wisdom.
The story begins during the lead-up to the festival of Anthesteria in the city of Corinth during the days of ancient Rome. (Anthesteria is “one of the most anticipated and colorful festivals of the year,” and it marks the transition from winter to spring.) It is in Corinth that the unnamed narrator and his friend Gaius meet with a man named Erastus. Gaius and Erastus speak in conspiratorial tones about spreading esoteric knowledge. They want to utilize “connections to organize discreet gatherings where we can discuss these teachings openly and freely.” When the narrator examines some of the papers that contain these teachings, it is clear that they “held secrets far beyond what [he] had initially imagined.” The narrator and Gaius sail to Brundisium. On the ship, Gaius expounds on topics like the lost city of Atlantis and the significance of the ancient Egyptian penchant for scarabs. He argues that there are a great many connections to be found between such subjects, and that “there are truths hidden within the fabric of history, truths that lie beyond the reach of ordinary people.” The journey by ship largely serves as a setting for dialogue; upon the quiet sea, Gaius can reflect on such subjects as the Basilica of Neptune, observing that it is not simply a military monument—it “symbolizes the vast, uncharted realms of knowledge and mystery.” The story is not driven by action or plot but by a desire to convey ideas to the reader. (Simple diagrams, like the circular layout of the mausoleum of Augustus, are included for effect.) And while concepts such as how “rekindling our relationship with the stars, we can rediscover their wonder and purpose” may be flowery, they offer plenty to consider. Coming in at under 200 pages, the novel proves to be brief yet thoughtful.
Though low on thrills, the book engagingly explores secrets of the past in a concise and dreamy way.Pub Date: July 28, 2024
ISBN: 9789695392058
Page Count: 140
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Have tissues ready as you read this. A small package will do.
A love story about a life of second chances.
In Nassau, in the Bahamas, casino detective Vincent LaPorta grills Alfie Logan, who’d come up a winner three times in a row at the roulette table and walked away with $2 million. “How did you do it?” asks the detective. Alfie calmly denies cheating. You wired all the money to a Gianna Rule, LaPorta says. Why? To explain, Alfie produces a composition book with the words “For the Boss, to Be Read Upon My Death” written on the cover. Read this for answers, Alfie suggests, calling it a love story. His mother had passed along to him a strange trait: He can say “Twice!” and go back to a specific time and place to have a do-over. But it only works once for any particular moment, and then he must live with the new consequences. He can only do this for himself and can’t prevent anyone from dying. Alfie regularly uses his power—failing to impress a girl the first time, he finds out more about her, goes back in time, and presto! She likes him. The premise is of course not credible—LaPorta doesn’t buy it either—but it’s intriguing. Most people would probably love to go back and unsay something. The story’s focus is on Alfie’s love for Gianna and whether it’s requited, unrequited, or both. In any case, he’s obsessed with her. He’s a good man, though, an intelligent person with ordinary human failings and a solid moral compass. Albom writes in a warm, easy style that transports the reader to a world of second chances and what-ifs, where spirituality lies close to the surface but never intrudes on the story. Though a cynic will call it sappy, anyone who is sick to their core from the daily news will enjoy this escape from reality.
Have tissues ready as you read this. A small package will do.Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780062406682
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.
After being released from prison, a young woman tries to reconnect with her 5-year-old daughter despite having killed the girl’s father.
Kenna didn’t even know she was pregnant until after she was sent to prison for murdering her boyfriend, Scotty. When her baby girl, Diem, was born, she was forced to give custody to Scotty’s parents. Now that she’s been released, Kenna is intent on getting to know her daughter, but Scotty’s parents won’t give her a chance to tell them what really happened the night their son died. Instead, they file a restraining order preventing Kenna from so much as introducing herself to Diem. Handsome, self-assured Ledger, who was Scotty’s best friend, is another key adult in Diem’s life. He’s helping her grandparents raise her, and he too blames Kenna for Scotty’s death. Even so, there’s something about her that haunts him. Kenna feels the pull, too, and seems to be seeking Ledger out despite his judgmental behavior. As Ledger gets to know Kenna and acknowledges his attraction to her, he begins to wonder if maybe he and Scotty’s parents have judged her unfairly. Even so, Ledger is afraid that if he surrenders to his feelings, Scotty’s parents will kick him out of Diem’s life. As Kenna and Ledger continue to mourn for Scotty, they also grieve the future they cannot have with each other. Told alternatively from Kenna’s and Ledger’s perspectives, the story explores the myriad ways in which snap judgments based on partial information can derail people’s lives. Built on a foundation of death and grief, this story has an undercurrent of sadness. As usual, however, the author has created compelling characters who are magnetic and sympathetic enough to pull readers in. In addition to grief, the novel also deftly explores complex issues such as guilt, self-doubt, redemption, and forgiveness.
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.Pub Date: Jan. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2560-7
Page Count: 335
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
SEEN & HEARD
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
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