I was very impressed with this beautifully written debut novel by Kimberly Duffy. Set in both Ithaca, New York and India in 1885, and populated by colorful, realistically-flawed characters, Duffy brought the sights and sounds of both places to my imagination and let me travel to places I’d never been before. The exquisite prose and rich historical detail allowed me to visualize the story as it progressed. While I may never find the study of insects fascinating, I enjoyed learning a little more about the various species of bugs and butterflies.
The hero of the story, Owen Epps, was easily likeable with his concern and care for Nora Shipley. I admired Nora for her tenacity and drive, although she sometimes frustrated me for the very same reasons. I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow and develop amid their adventures in India. Duffy’s obvious knowledge and affinity for the country of India and its customs added to my enjoyment of the story.
A Mosaic of Wings is a well-crafted, captivating tale, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author. 4.5 stars
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.
See Paula's Review
BackCover Blurb:
It's 1885, and all Nora Shipley wants, now that she's graduating from Cornell University as valedictorian of the entomology program, is to follow in her late father's footsteps by getting her master's degree and taking over the scientific journal he started. The only way to uphold her father's legacy is to win a scholarship, so she joins a research expedition in Kodaikanal, India, to prove herself in the field.
India isn't what she expects, though, and neither is the rival classmate who accompanies her, Owen Epps. As her preconceptions of India--and of Owen--fall away, she finds both far more captivating than she expected. Forced by the expedition leader to stay at camp and illustrate exotic butterflies the men of the team find without her, Nora befriends Sita, a young Indian girl who has been dedicated to a goddess against her will.
In this spellbinding new land, Nora is soon faced with impossible choices--between saving Sita and saving her career, and between what she's always thought she wanted and the man she's come to love.
Bethany House Publishing
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