Monday, September 12, 2016

Review: The Spice Box Letters by Eve Makis

Title: The Spice Box Letters
Author: Eve Makis
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: St. Martin's Press (September 13, 2016)
Source: Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Fiction
My Rating: 5 Stars!



Book Description:
Katerina inherits a scented, wooden spice box after her grandmother Mariam dies. It contains letters and a diary, written in Armenian. As she pieces together her family story, Katerina learns that Mariam's childhood was shattered by the Armenian tragedy of 1915.

Mariam was exiled from her home in Turkey and separated from her beloved brother, Gabriel, her life marred by grief and the loss of her first love. Dissatisfied and restless, Katerina tries to find resolution in her own life as she completes Mariam's story – on a journey that takes her across Cyprus and then half a world away to New York.


Miracles, it seems, can happen – for those trapped by the past, and for Katerina herself.











Every once in awhile you come across those stories, those novels that leave a huge impact on your life when you are done reading them. Those that open your eyes, make you think, and those that make you feel. The Spice Box Letters is one such story.

Shamefully I know very little about what occurred in Turkey to the Armenian community during the first world war and the events that took place are shocking and heartbreaking and are ones that should never be forgotten. Over shadowed by the horrors of the war itself and then forgotten as, 20 years later, something similar again occurred, this book touched me in a way few novels are able to. 

It was emotional and raw and beautiful in it's telling. I truly couldn't have asked for a more inspiring and thought provoking read that both broke my heart and at times, uplifted me as well. 

Told through multiple point of views through different generations of the same family, it was seamlessly blended together to form a story that was hard to put down and completely captivating.







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

48 comments:

  1. It's nice to come across a book that really makes you think. Thanks for the review.

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  2. I'm so happy you found one of those bookish treasures! That feeling is what all of us are chasing. I know a bit about the Armenian genocide, but I can always learn more. Wonderful review!

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    1. Thanks so much Maja and it really was so insightful and heartbreaking.

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  3. Ah yes it sounds emotional. I didn't know about this one but it's so great to find books like that

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  4. This sounds like a beautiful novel. Thanks so much for sharing! I appreciate books that highlight important moments in history.

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It really sounds like a great read. Thanks for putting it on my radar, Ali!

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  6. Oh Wow what a great story premise. Wonderful review Kindlemom I would really love this one, so on my list it goes!!

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  7. Sounds like my type of read. I truly love reading historical accounts blended into fiction. Those stories are always emotional for me.

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    1. I really do too, they really hit home when they are well done like this one is.

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  8. I now nothing about this time period or the events, sounds like one I need to give a try.

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    1. I knew about the time period but not the events in this part of the country so definitely interesting.

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  9. My great (Armenian) grandparents told stories about this to my mom who passed them on to me. Many people still know little about this. The Spice Box Letters sounds like the author did a beautiful job creating a story filled with hope surrounding the historical events of the Armenian Genocide! This is a must for my mom. Lovley review, Ali :)

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    1. Oh that is awesome Kim that she has been able to pass down the history. I really hope she likes it!

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  10. Oh wow. This sounds like something I would really enjoy. I will have to check this one out. Brilly review.

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  11. This sounds SO good and right up my alley! Great review, I definitely want to read this ♥

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  12. Sounds like a touching and thought provoking read. War is always bad no matter the reasons behind it.

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  13. This definitely sounds like my kind of book! Lovely review!

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  14. Replies
    1. It really was so good and worth those five stars!

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  15. Oh I want this Ali, I know a bit about it from another author, so the history appeals to me.

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  16. I'm into lit fiction lately so even if I haven't read this, I can appreciate the story already. Totally in the mood for this now

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    1. Oh I think you would really like this then. So interesting from the Armenian and Greek aspect.

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  17. Oh goodness yeah ones that hit you like that. It's amazing even if heartbreaking at the same time. This one does look fascinating.

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  18. I love when you find a great story like that. I also love when you learn something while reading a great story. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one so much. :-)

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I'm always fascinated with history so it was nice getting both a great story and learning something for sure.

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  19. 5 stars! That's quite an endorsement, Ali. I'm most curious. :)

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  20. I'm sorry to admit that I know nothing of what occurred in Turkey either Ali, so this is a must read for me! I think it's something my mother in law would enjoy as well:) Beautiful review!

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  21. Ali, I'm never sure I want to read books about war or their aftermath. They just hurt so much. :-/

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  22. I don´t like the books about war and that stuff I don´t know made me feel sad in another way.
    Thanks for your honest review.
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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    1. It can be fore sure and I know they aren't for everyone. ;)

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  23. Well damn, that's quite the endorsement! Adding it!

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  24. I'm glad this had such a lasting impact on you!! and it is now in my TBR where I hope it doesn't get lost

    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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  25. I have zero clue about what happened in Turkey. This one sounds great and I'm glad it impacted you so much! Going to add it to my to read list now. 😀

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