A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy centers around Nora Shipley, a female entomologist in a male-dominated field. But studying insects isn’t her only dream. She also wants to take over her late father’s journal and get her master’s degree. After striking a deal with her stepfather, she goes on a research trip to India in hopes of earning a scholarship and proving herself.
This novel surprised me. Not that I thought it would be terrible. I just didn’t expect it to be so good. A riveting tale from beginning to end, this novel proves to be an exciting adventure you don’t want to miss out on.
I’m not a fan of bugs. Let me go ahead and say that. But Duffy brings you into Nora’s mind so well that when Nora becomes enthralled with an insect, you feel her excitement. And while there is a lot of scientific names and jargon, Duffy explains to the readers what the terms mean without launching into long explanations. Instead, she provides a translation that flows naturally through the course of the characters’ conversations.
And Duffy uses rich descriptions to immerse you in whichever setting she places her characters in, whether it’s a laboratory at Cornell University or a campsite in rural India. I’ve never read a book set in India before, but she did a great job of helping my imagination picture what life in India was like.
With a great cast of characters, Duffy has crafted a compelling story that will keep you turning pages. And the romantic thread isn’t bad, either. I loved seeing Nora’s relationship with Owen Epps develop throughout the book. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t mention Nora’s relationship with other characters. A certain young Indian girl serves as the forefront of a very important subplot.
And I loved the way Duffy handled the conflict of cultures and religions. I don’t know much about Hinduism, but she sprinkles enough information to help me better understand Sita’s plight. And the consequences that follow Nora’s decision were realistic and thought-provoking. Because sometimes doing the right thing causes a ripple effect we can’t ignore or anticipate. We have to make our decision and stick to it.
Overall, A Mosaic of Wings is a fantastic novel that grabs your attention.
You can purchase A Mosaic of Wings at your favorite bookstore. (Or you can order from bookshop.org by clicking the book cover image.)
For more Kimberly Duffy, check out her website and sign up for her newsletter. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can also read her flash fiction at Spark Flash Fiction.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
