A Mosaic Of Wings By Kimberly Duffy

A Mosaic of Wings
by Kimberly Duffy
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 9780764235634

I was already following Kimberly Duffy on Instagram, seeing her gorgeous cover being posted all over the place. I honestly didn't care what the story was about. I just knew that if it was offered for review, I was going to jump on it. It was, and I did!

Summary:

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 Review:

If you follow me on social media, you'll know my love for butterflies. That was the biggest draw for me with A Mosaic of Wings. Now that I've finished it, there was just so much to love (and easily dislike) about this story! Cockroaches...dislike! Nora would say the same thing. Lucious...yep, dislike!

Goodness gracious I enjoyed Nora's character. I was able to see a bit of myself in her in that I'm rather stubborn and don't always think before I act or speak. She also makes choices in India that I probably would've made myself as well. Nora absolutely challenges the status quo and in science that's a lot of status quo! Thankfully she finds that Owen is willing to come alongside her to help her to forge ahead.

Owen is an interesting fella. I would've loved to know more about his story other than the basics we learn thought A Mosaic of Wings. His relationship with his family and expectations of his future make me want to know more about his history. He's a great balance for Nora.

One of the elements I appreciated about the writing of the characters in this story was the one track mind thinking of the men. I could see how they'd all consider the culture of India as opposed to any travesties that might occur to the people they come in contact with. Of course the women come through with flying colors...all except Nora's mother. Lydia was a difficult character to have any compassion for.

I also loved the imagery that Kimberly Duffy offers us of India. It "almost" makes me want to go to the jungle as well to do some exploring. I could imagine the trees, butterflies, and other array of flora and fauna they experienced. The underlying story of the choices Nora makes is what keeps it moving. And honestly, it doesn't seem like most of the choices she makes are good ones. Oftentimes it seems like she doesn't have much of a choice, but occasionally (ahem...climbing trees) she should've just listened to the people around her. Again, I can relate to her!

I can't wait for my milkweed to bring the monarchs to our yard, but even now I want to know more about the other butterflies Nora talked about. And, I want to find someone to talk to who's as fascinated by them as I am! :)


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.