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I wasn't sure about this one because the reviews were so mixed. It wasn't what I expected but I found I really enjoyed it. Nell is a well-developed protagonist & the book places the reader alongside her as she unravels the mystery of the map her father died to protect. This is definitely a magical realism book so you may want to pass if that isn't your thing. It isn't mine but I enjoyed it regardless.⭐⭐⭐⭐

#tenatatime round 43. I‘ve had a crazy past few months, but finally getting settled and ready do dive into these.

I finished this last week. I really enjoyed the concept of this book. But I feel it could have been so much more! It's worth the read and suggestion.

This is between a pick & so-so. The world of maps, as presented here, was interesting & the concept of phantom settlements was fascinating. I would love to read other stories that play with that idea. But none of the characters were interesting. A few of the original Cartographers had potential but I didn't feel that anyone was well developed. Most of the choices they made were strange. Worse the fear they all lived with didn't feel realistic.

#StoryGraph: fiction literary magical realism thriller adventurous mysterious medium-paced

I had a hard time getting into this book.

From the Publisher:
From the author of The Book of M, a highly imaginative thriller about a young woman who discovers that a strange map in her deceased father‘s belongings holds an incredible, deadly secret—one that will lead her on an extraordinary adventure and to the truth about her family‘s dark history.

A few chapters in, and I was hooked! Currently on chapter 12.

I can‘t decide if I liked this. The premise was intriguing but many of character motivations were really hard to understand. Especially the villain— what was their motivation beyond “obsession”? Most of the twists were clear to me well before the story revealed them. I did have to read this a bit faster than typical because of its library due date, so I will cut it a little slack. It was readable, so I‘d give this author another chance.

Today in returning a library book that I could have returned yesterday if only I had a clue what day of the week it was.

This one is going back on my reserve list - it‘s a recommendation from the friend who introduced me to the books of Natasha Pulley…

I liked it. Nell‘s was an interesting story. I liked the background she had with Felix and how her parent‘s story was slowly revealed over time. Really like that it was based on a real story featuring the General Drafting Corporation and Rand McNally. The seriousness that the character‘s gave to their map making made the story more interesting and highlighted what was at stake. Not a fast pace, but worth the time.

I was hoping for The DaVinci Code but with maps but it was a little slower and I figured it out half way through. Not a bad read but not my favorite.

“Maps were love letters written to times and places their makers had explored.”

♥️♥️♥️ Drop everything. Read this. 🌟🌟🌟

I was a bit nervous to read this after seeing some less than stellar reviews. It did drag a bit in the middle, and the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall it was super fun. Glad I gave it a try!

Buster takes his job as Reading Buddy very seriously. He is clearly excelling in his field.

Ah, New York State and their beloved standardized tests... 🙄
I've got a few students taking their 8th grade science exam in the library today. Sucks for them, but I'm happy for some time with my book!

I've seen mixed reviews on this one, but I'm definitely intrigued after a few chapters...

Reading this with leftover Chinese food, black currant hard cider, and this Andrew Bird song in my head because of the line about cartographers: https://g.co/kgs/Q1xLGs (under Chloe‘s watchful and slightly pork-interested gaze)

Loved this book! Such a great, original mystery

This maybe had a little too much going on? It felt both rushed and slow but in the end, it was a soft pick for me. The present-day story was a sort of frantic thriller but then the past was more of a Secret History vibe? I would have preferred a focus on one or the other because both were good on their own but I didn‘t care for them together.

The premise of this book is so good, but the execution is lackluster. Lots of other reviewers have used the word “mess”, which is accurate. There were too many characters to keep track of, and the romance storyline was terrible and unnecessary. Meh. #BotM

I was expecting to love this one. It has all those great elements: a murder mystery, libraries, maps, etc. But for some reason the story was lacking for me. I found myself avoiding it. I think it was the character of Nell, I thought the backstories of the other characters was fascinating. It wasn‘t awful, I just wanted to love it more. Also, I think I saw every twist coming, which is not normal for me. It might just be a case of high expectations.

Actually catching up on old reviews. This was just pretty alright. I loved the story line most of the time but the ending makes it feel like there might be a sequel and I just don‘t know how I feel about that. 3.5🌟 #botm

Decided to head outside this early afternoon since it‘s a sunny and warm day to hopefully finish The Cartographers! I also snagged a Cherry Limeade hard Cider from our garage fridge since I already felt like I was camping sitting in my camping chair on our deck😅 I guess our next order of business is getting some cute seating for the deck!

After a few false start books, I‘ve found something to settle into

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was such a cool premise, and the way Shepherd plays with the redrawing of the lines of reality spoke to me a lot. I also enjoyed Nell, who is fairly relatable to me as a tiny, kind of quiet, librarian-lady but also someone who knows when to stand their ground. The final two pages are so good they gave me actual chills, and my only complaint is I want more Bear (the literal best side-character I‘ve read in years)!

Lisa! You are too sweet! Thank you so much my friend. What a wonderful surprise. 💜😘💜🙏🏻

I really debated with myself on how to rate this book because I DID enjoy it, but the more I think about it, the more ambivalent I feel about it. The thing is, I wanted to love it but, at the end of the day, I just … didn‘t.

I found Nell as a main character somewhat lackluster & some of the character motivations were confusing, but my complaints are far more nitpicky, so read on in the comments if you wish, but take it with a grain of sand.

A little cheesy, sure but magical! Nell is the center of this story—her parents‘ past swirls all around her & threatens her future but there is a way through it all, there‘s always a map! The breadcrumbs are clear here, & there‘s hardly a jerking twist but a slow journey, you see where it‘s going but the author still captures you along. Loved the mystery & whimsy! Also, the hardcopy has lovely pages! Read if you like libraries, romance & secrets.

If you're interested, my reasons for DNF are listed in the comments under the spoiler tag.

#AwesomeApril #readathon @Andrew65

I'm not exactly sure how to review this one without spoiling it... but if you like old maps, close knit friend groups, complicated family dynamics, and a bit of magic this might be the book for you. I thought it was absolutely fantastic and have already ordered the author's previous book and followed her on social media.

I really wavered between liking this one and being disappointed. So much potential here. Such a cool concept overall. The cover art is beautiful. But, the story felt a bit too drawn out and I could have done with a lot less of the backstory. The twists were really predictable.

Happy Tuesday everyone! Here are the #Two4Tuesday questions for today. Thanks to all who played last week!

My answers:
🌿 Loved the MC because the character development was outstanding.
🌿 I would love to see Nell find another map and have an adventure.

Anyone can play. I'll tag a few Littens to start. @Eggs @wanderinglynn @EadieB @Lcsmcat @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620 @DaveGreen7777 @RamsFan1963 @Klou @Texreader @Crazeedi

I‘m always intrigued when a family‘s life‘s work - cartography- is something that was never even on my radar. Googling about phantom settlements was a fun rabbit hole, as well. This gets a pick from me, the story was good even though I thought the magical was heavy-handed as the end neared.

I liked this. It wasn't perfect - I feel like there were some holes in both the plot and the characters' motivations, but I still got caught up in the story.

This book is hard to review. For half the book nothing made sense, then half way through there is a big reveal explanation that made things make sense, and then the ending made no sense. I thought it was me not understanding because I was sick while reading it, but reading other reviews I think it is the structure of the novel. I liked the concept, but I think some clues were revealed to easily and others too late. Still processing.

I throughly enjoyed this one. I loved the slow build up and the multiple POVs. I felt this allowed the author a lot of freedom to develop the plot and characters. The story was original and I liked the little mix of Fantasy. 4⭐ @wanderinglynn Here are my thoughts.

#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

🔹️ I enjoy playing Wordscapes on occasion.
🔹️ ... new beginnings.
🔹️ The tagged book; but, I am still working on trying to finish two more for March.

@Crazeedi @bthegood @Come-read-with-me @MoonWitch94

Was actually a little disappointed in this one. This was almost like The Secret History meets National Treasure, and it had sooo much potential. I really didn't care for the author's writing style (SO, many, commas, 😅). More spoiler-ish thoughts in comments.... #botm

Nell‘s estranged father dies suddenly and she finds a map in his hidden spot that caused them conflict in the past. This sets a series of events in motion leading to something fantastical. There‘s one plot detail near the end I struggled with, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This book is about the literal and rhetorical purpose of maps - do maps make the world real or does the world make maps real? I didn‘t know about phantom settlements, so I really enjoyed learning about that phenomenon bc of this book. Overall, I really enjoyed the first 1/2 of the book, but the last half dragged for me. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55004093

Diving into The Cartographers and so far I‘m enjoying it🙂📖

It may be a little far fetched in places and I‘ve read some littants who have given it negative reviews which is why I debated with so-so but I don‘t want to discourage someone based on my opinion. You guys mean a lot to me

I wish I liked this book as much as @BarbaraBB ‘s tea or my Melville mug, but alas, it sucked. 200 pages of build that nearly made me quit five times then a “you mean this is it??” moment.

Nell loves cartography and always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her renowned father. But just as her career starts, he ends it and their relationship over the contents of a “junk box”. When her father dies, Nell finally seeks the truth.

#botm warning ⬇️

I wavered between giving this a thumbs up and a so-so. It wasn‘t what I expected -not sure what I did expect- but in the end I decided I liked it . The story centers around an old folded map you could get at any gas station maybe 70+ years ago. The map is very rare. There is a mystery and a little magic and you just have to know what is so special about this map.

#KickTheSlump @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

Now up to 82.5 hours for March. It vfc will be a close thing to reach 100 hours. On a positive note, I started a new book yesterday, The Cartographers.

Loved, #TheBookofM, so imagine my surprise when I realized,#PengShepherd had released a new book! #TheCartographers

Look what arrived today! Thanks, #WilliamMorrowBooks! Super excited to get started.

#bookreview #bookreviews #PengShepherd #books #WritingCommunity #author #authors #amreading #amwriting #amediting #writers #BookTwitter #BookWorm #bookstagram

This book was excellent! I really enjoyed the story, the concept, the characters, and the way everything slowly unraveled.

#BOTM #mystery #magicalrealism

I stayed up WAY too late last night reading this one! Do I regret it today? NOPE! SO WORTH IT! 😁 I'm really loving this so far! 💕📚

Chaplin wants to wish all of you littens a lovely, bookish Sunday! 😸📚💕 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #chaplin