Rating ***** (5 stars)

​Vox is a dystopian novel that tells the chilling story of a society that has literally silenced women. For Dr. Jean McClellan, a linguist who studied the neurological impact of language, find this to be a nightmare situation. She is forced to watch her own daughter silenced during crucial developmental stages. 

This book challenges the status quo. It shows the dangers of a society dominated by white, Christian, males who want to limit anyone else. It specifically shows how women are considered less in our society. While it is an extreme dystopian version of this view, it hits very close to home. I am an educated female working higher education. I personally was experiencing my own "silencing" at a time when I read this book. I found this book to be more than enjoyment, it was empowering. It talks about hard truths. You can see this just by looking through the reviews for the book.

Vox was written very vividly. I felt connected at all times. The characters were multi-dimensional and real. The writing was good as well. The writing could have been a little better, however I did not feel it was lacking. It is more that I could see Dalcher continuing to grow as an author.

Rating **** (4 stars)

Margaret grew up in a bookstore. She loved books, and became interested in the stories behind them. As she grew she published a few paper on the history of authors that were just long dead. She is surprised when she receives a note from Ms. Winters, a contemporary writer famous for a volume of short stories originally titled the thirteenth tale, yet it was only published with twelve stories. It has had an following of readers speculating about the last tale, as well as the tale of Ms. Winters herself. Every time she is interviewed she weaves a different tale about her past. Now she is ready to tale the truth to Margaret. 

This is a novel that is full of various layers. Each character has their own mystery and the reader is left trying to unravel it all. Yet, there are enough clues given at the right moments to keep the reader satisfied and engaged. Until, at the end, you are left with a tale more intense then you could have imagined. The writing is magnificent, and the characters are excellent. Margaret is no idiot, she is able to piece together the story as fast as the reader, even if it does take her a little more time to get facts and verify all the aspects. In the meantime the story keeps moving along. 

Audio book purchased through Audible

Rating ***** (5 stars)

​The Great Alone is one of those rare masterpiece novels. Kristin Hannah told a story that was vivid, alive, and full of emotion. She told the story of Leni, who at the age of 13 was brought to the wildness of Alaska by her parents. They were unprepared and hiding a volatile family life. Her father was a POW in the Vietnam war and suffered from PTSD, although that was not labeled during the 197o's, and the family was left to deal with his violent and paranoid behavior. 

The novel is a journey through Leni's life. I feel like I have lived another lifetime within the pages of these books. It was a good, but troubled life, full of adventure and tragedy. It was so real that I could see the harsh Alaska winters and the wild variety of love. Part of Leni will live inside of every reader. 

This was my first novel by Kristin Hannah. Yet, I do not want it to be my last.