Review: A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy

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About:

Nora Shipley has one goal--to carry on the legacy of her late father by taking over the scientific journal he started. To that end, she's fought to be taken seriously among her male classmates and graduate as valedictorian of Cornell's entomology program. When pressures to settle down rise to a fever pitch, she impulsively joins a research expedition in Kodaikanal, India, to prove herself in the field and win a scholarship.

But India holds several surprises--she is impressed not only by the beauty of its natural wonders, but also by the gentle nature she discovers in the rival classmate who accompanied her, Owen Epps. Instead of exploring, however, she is forced by the expedition leader to stay at camp and illustrate exotic butterflies the men of the team find without her. During the many quiet days, 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.

My Thoughts:

Ever since seeing this cover and knowing it was by a new author, I have been looking forward to reading this story. This was such a lush, atmospheric read that drew me into the story and into Nora's life as a young woman trying to make her way in science. Specifically entomology, the study of insects. Now usually a read like that might give me the creeps, but no, this one drew me into the climate of not just India but also Nora's hometown of Ithaca, New York.

Now this story is divided into three parts. Each part in the different locations. I will say that at first the story seemed a little bit slow for me. I think I just had a hard time connecting with Nora, she seemed too smart for her own good and maybe a little standoffish. Especially with fellow classmate Owen Epps. The constant friction between her and her stepfather was also wearing me thin- but that just shows you how invested I was getting into the story. And then there was a certain climatic showdown that happened in the first part that caught my attention fully and would not let me go.

By the end, I came to know Nora and like her. She had quite a way to grow and when she let a certain someone begin to love her- well lets just say it was a very romantic story. Though the romance was only part of this tale.

I very much look forward to more great reads from author Duffy, she is an author to put on your reading list.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Kimberly Duffy (www.kimberlyduffy.com) is a Long Island native currently living in Southwest Ohio, via six months in India. When she's not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes her readers back in time and across oceans. She loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty years. He doesn't mind.