Laura’s Year in Books

What did you read this year?

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2023

768

pages read

books read

Laura Samotin

Shortest Book

368

pages

Longest Book

400

pages

Average book length in 2023

384

pages

Most Shelved

50,923

people also shelved

Least Shelved

21,300

people also shelved

Laura’s average rating for 2023

5.0

it was amazing

5.0

Highest Rated on Goodreads

3.89 average

Laura’s first review of the year

it was amazing

As a queer author and someone with half a degree in medieval history, when I saw the announcement of Natasha Siegel’s debut historical fiction, I immediately knew that I needed to read Solomon’s Crown as soon as I could. I had amazingly high hopes for this book from the description—a retelling of the relationship between the newly-crowned King Philip of France and Richard, Duke of Aquitaine, later to be the King of England. While in dispute by hi As a queer author and someone with half a degree in medieval history, when I saw the announcement of Natasha Siegel’s debut historical fiction, I immediately knew that I needed to read Solomon’s Crown as soon as I could. I had amazingly high hopes for this book from the description—a retelling of the relationship between the newly-crowned King Philip of France and Richard, Duke of Aquitaine, later to be the King of England. While in dispute by historians, some have taken the fact that the two men were reported to have been “sleeping in the same bed” to be evidence of a queer relationship. Siegel reimagines the story of Philip and Richard as one of fear and loathing and love, and uses her versions of these historical figures to tell a timeless story.

As a reader, I was drawn to the book’s premise and setting, but fully enraptured by its careful exploration of the ways in which duty and devotion can lead to heart-wrenching conflicts. Philip, in particular, deals with anxiety about what his position as King of France, and Richard’s future ascension to the throne, means for their nascent relationship. He worries about whether to give in to the growing love he shares with Richard and risk one day finding himself on the opposite side of a battlefield, or protect himself from that future pain by refusing to acknowledge the feelings between them. This is just one notable element of a story full of complex, believable, fully alive characters. (A special mention goes to Isabella, Philip’s wife, whose gentle acceptance of her husband’s sexuality—and urging for him to embrace happiness—brought me at many points to tears.)

As Siegel writes in her author’s note, this is not a historically accurate novel, but in reading it, I felt as though it were. The background of twelfth-century Europe is vividly and beautifully rendered, from sweeping descriptions of the cities of London and Paris and the castles that Philip and Richard haunt, to the smallest details of the flora and fauna they encounter (a sprig of rosemary and an elm tree are described and utilized to outstanding effect). The descriptions of war and battle were tense and gritty, and the tension of the plot continues to build until the book becomes unputdownable. The writing is unbearably gorgeous, stark at some points and achingly descriptive at others, with line after line that I will remember for years to come.

As a reader, I felt as though a part of me will remain buried with this book, as Richard dreaded his heart would be separated from his body when he died. But in this case, I am so glad to have left a part of myself with this story, because it is worth dwelling on—and with—for a lifetime. I am crossing my fingers for a sequel, and am greatly looking forward to anything else that Siegel will publish in the future. ...more

LAURA’S 2023 BOOKS

it was amazing

Laura’s last review of the year

it was amazing

SO LET THEM BURN is a gripping fantasy that immerses readers in a lush world of dragons and danger, keeping them on the edge of their seats through twists and turns no one will see coming. A page-turner through and through, this is an instant classic that readers will return to again and again as they await the sequel.

As a reader, this was one of my most anticipated YA fantasy reads of 2024-and it more than lived up to my expectations. Told from ...more

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