Review of First Lessons
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the_ashfeathers
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- Latest Review: First Lessons by Lina J. Potter
Review of First Lessons
[Following is a volunteer review of "First Lessons" by Lina J. Potter.]
Did you ever wonder if a car crash could send you crashing out of your world and waking up in an alternate medieval universe? I know Aliya Skorolenok did not. And she certainly didn’t expect to wake up in someone else’s body. But expectations are funny things. A single night was all it took Aliya to lose everything, her parents, her thriving life in Russia, her dreams, her accomplishments, her boyfriend, her world, her era, and even her own body. To make matters worse, she wakes up in the dying body of Countess Lilian Elizabeth Mariella Earton, who had just suffered a miscarriage.
First Lessons is the opening book of the historical-fantasy/sci-fi series, ‘A Medieval Tale’ by Lina J. Potter. The plot centers on Aliya carving her way into this new world she is entangled. Waking up as the Countess of a tarnished castle and an almost-in-ruins estate with poor living conditions, she sets out to improve her new world. Since it was still medieval times, she finds that many necessities from her previous life were yet to be invented, such as pens, grinders, earring clasps, and even anatomy. So she takes it upon herself to introduce them to her new world.
The book description enthralled me. The idea of waking up in another body seemed way too interesting to pass. Aliya was a headstrong, athletic, and intelligent medical student. Lilian, however, had been dim-witted, overweight, and on the verge of death when Aliya enters her frame. Throughout the journey, Aliya/Lily works towards the betterment of Earton. She cleverly handles the surrounding people. Her self-efficacy rendered me in awe of the story, wanting more and more. In her previous life, Aliya was the daughter of a military officer and a nurse. This past role of hers played a crucial part in refining her current lifestyle.
One of the significant aspects is the feministic sphere the book lies in, vividly recounting how women were treated as properties of their husband, merely an heir-generating vessel, discarded if they could not fulfill this purpose. It made me realize how bad things had been in the past. Quoting one of the footnotes, “At the Vatican in the Middle Ages, once a papal conclave was asked to decide whether women were humans or animals.” It was phenomenal following Lily as she works remarkably against these unjust social norms of the past. Her character grows as she assumes the role of Countess. Her fierce, admirable personality, twinned with her comical way of reprimanding people, accounted for a fun ride.
The author also imparted a life mantra that had me rolling, “Things will never get better unless you put in the effort. After all, the only thing that falls from heaven is bird poop.” Lily was an entertaining character to read. The book is also well researched. The author provided us with historical extracts and explanations for unknown variables in footnotes wherever it deemed necessary.
Although remarkable, the opening chapter of the book was strangely fast-paced. Aliya came to terms with her new circumstances too quickly for someone who just woke up in an unknown body in a different universe. She does not display a lot of confusion or terror and appears exceptionally calm and composed. Instead, she condemns her obese body, her room, which could give an unhinged Barbie doll a run for her money, and her unclean surroundings. Sometimes, the story contained expository info dumps that were avoidable viz. once the author named all eight servants of the house and their respective histories. However, as the story progresses, it flows more smoothly.
Except for a bumpy start, the book is perfect. Its storyline had me bewitched and ignited my curiosity. Therefore, I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. Although professionally edited, it has a few errors. The author’s writing style was a delight to read.
If you are looking for a captivating book containing a fabulous female protagonist of intellect, time travel, self-dependency, the use of practical science, female empowerment, and gender equality, First Lessons is just the right pick. With only four profanities found, the book is suitable for both young adults and adults. It served as the perfect fusion of historical fantasy and science fiction.
******
First Lessons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Did you ever wonder if a car crash could send you crashing out of your world and waking up in an alternate medieval universe? I know Aliya Skorolenok did not. And she certainly didn’t expect to wake up in someone else’s body. But expectations are funny things. A single night was all it took Aliya to lose everything, her parents, her thriving life in Russia, her dreams, her accomplishments, her boyfriend, her world, her era, and even her own body. To make matters worse, she wakes up in the dying body of Countess Lilian Elizabeth Mariella Earton, who had just suffered a miscarriage.
First Lessons is the opening book of the historical-fantasy/sci-fi series, ‘A Medieval Tale’ by Lina J. Potter. The plot centers on Aliya carving her way into this new world she is entangled. Waking up as the Countess of a tarnished castle and an almost-in-ruins estate with poor living conditions, she sets out to improve her new world. Since it was still medieval times, she finds that many necessities from her previous life were yet to be invented, such as pens, grinders, earring clasps, and even anatomy. So she takes it upon herself to introduce them to her new world.
The book description enthralled me. The idea of waking up in another body seemed way too interesting to pass. Aliya was a headstrong, athletic, and intelligent medical student. Lilian, however, had been dim-witted, overweight, and on the verge of death when Aliya enters her frame. Throughout the journey, Aliya/Lily works towards the betterment of Earton. She cleverly handles the surrounding people. Her self-efficacy rendered me in awe of the story, wanting more and more. In her previous life, Aliya was the daughter of a military officer and a nurse. This past role of hers played a crucial part in refining her current lifestyle.
One of the significant aspects is the feministic sphere the book lies in, vividly recounting how women were treated as properties of their husband, merely an heir-generating vessel, discarded if they could not fulfill this purpose. It made me realize how bad things had been in the past. Quoting one of the footnotes, “At the Vatican in the Middle Ages, once a papal conclave was asked to decide whether women were humans or animals.” It was phenomenal following Lily as she works remarkably against these unjust social norms of the past. Her character grows as she assumes the role of Countess. Her fierce, admirable personality, twinned with her comical way of reprimanding people, accounted for a fun ride.
The author also imparted a life mantra that had me rolling, “Things will never get better unless you put in the effort. After all, the only thing that falls from heaven is bird poop.” Lily was an entertaining character to read. The book is also well researched. The author provided us with historical extracts and explanations for unknown variables in footnotes wherever it deemed necessary.
Although remarkable, the opening chapter of the book was strangely fast-paced. Aliya came to terms with her new circumstances too quickly for someone who just woke up in an unknown body in a different universe. She does not display a lot of confusion or terror and appears exceptionally calm and composed. Instead, she condemns her obese body, her room, which could give an unhinged Barbie doll a run for her money, and her unclean surroundings. Sometimes, the story contained expository info dumps that were avoidable viz. once the author named all eight servants of the house and their respective histories. However, as the story progresses, it flows more smoothly.
Except for a bumpy start, the book is perfect. Its storyline had me bewitched and ignited my curiosity. Therefore, I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. Although professionally edited, it has a few errors. The author’s writing style was a delight to read.
If you are looking for a captivating book containing a fabulous female protagonist of intellect, time travel, self-dependency, the use of practical science, female empowerment, and gender equality, First Lessons is just the right pick. With only four profanities found, the book is suitable for both young adults and adults. It served as the perfect fusion of historical fantasy and science fiction.
******
First Lessons
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Bloodthirsty little beasts. Never trust a duck." ~ Will Herondale (Cassandra Clare)
Latest Review: First Lessons by Lina J. Potter
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jimmy02
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- Latest Review: A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
Historical fiction + sci-fi/fantasy! I'm already sold! Thanks for this excellent review!
There is no friend as loyal as a book.
~ Ernst Hemingway
~ Ernst Hemingway
Latest Review: A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
