Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Elizabeth has always been "the smart one." So much so, that she's built her entire life around it. Now, as a doctorate student working on her dissertation about Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings, she is discovering that what she really wants is to just be herself.

I loved the parallels between Elizabeth and Georgia. While Elizabeth wasn't always the most likeable, she was always relatable, and I loved that. As a reader, I could really feel Liz's yearning to be seen, not just as the smart one, but as a woman. It's a novel about discovering femininity and what it means to be a woman, and it's a struggle that most women go through. One of the best books I've read so far this year!

A complicated, well-researched story, this book held my attention all the way through. A contemporary look at the works of Georgia O'Keefe, the artist most well-known for her sensual depiction of flowers and for her eccentric life. Our protagonist, Elizabeth, references O'Keefe throughout this book as she goes through the process of writing her dissertation on how the artist's Hawaii paintings, and her marriage to Stieglitz, affected her later work. During the course of Elizabeth's research, she takes a look at her own life and starts comparing herself to O'Keefe. She realizes she's not really happy and thinks she knows what to do to to improve that situation as the opportunity presents itself to find herself again. Elizabeth's story kept me engaged throughout. I appreciated seeing Georgia O'Keefe's story in a different light than I ever had before as it ran parallel to Elizabeth's search for fulfillment. The author, Barbara Linn Probst, has deftly woven the two tales together while adding a strong dash of Steiglitz' photographs of his wife sprinkled in. I so appreciated the level of research that went into writing this book. So much so that I found myself googling some of the works that were referenced so that I could visually see what Elizabeth saw as she found her way through her research. This was a fascinating book, one that I not only enjoyed for it's story, but that I learned from as well. Thank you Netgalley and She Writes Press for the advance reader's copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. I'll remember this one for a long time.

I read through this book fairly rapidly over the course of less than a week. I liked the ending very much because Elizabeth was able to have her happy ending in the happiest way with her job, her kids, and without her husband. I thought that Elizabeth was complex, to the point that I do not really understand all the decisions she makes. Her connection to Georgia throughout the novel made it very touching in the message and mirroring.

One of the reasons I chose to read this book was because - from a distance- I’ve admired ( and still do), the author, Barbara Linn Probst from other conversations she was engaged in - through Goodreads and Facebook.
To me - she exemplifies a balanced loving wonderful woman. I also wanted to be supportive. I still want to be supportive- so be clear my low rating doesn’t change this fact.

When asked the question, “Where did you get the idea for your most recent”, “Queen of Owls”?—Barbara gave a great answer:
“A complicated question! The idea for QUEEN OF THE OWLS came from sources that came together at just the right moment. But at its heart is the question I’ve always had about how to be a complete woman, especially in a culture that tends to dichotomize women into bodies and brains, and foxes and owls”.

I sincerely want to congratulate Barbara on her debut novel, but I wasn’t the right audience for it.
I found myself battling too much with my own inner voice about the things that didn’t work for me.
I found it too cliche....with obvious stereotyping (not that I believe it was the author purpose), and very predictable.

By 4% into this book- we get a ‘reprieved’ description letting us know that Ben, Elizabeth’s husband, who had been reading a Vietnam documentary one Wednesday evening — didn’t give Elizabeth the smile, or kiss, or greeting she wanted after her tai chi class.
Clear- sparks weren’t flying off the wall.
We also learn early that sex with Ben - on a Wednesday night - was unusual -unmemorable - but “duly accomplished”.
They had the type of relationship where they analyzed and dissected world issues.....often agreeing, about how life should be, but they lacked authentic playful steam and passion for each other.

Ben was a lawyer who worked for a small local firm. He took on working class clients needed help with leases and disability claims. Elizabeth ‘did’ respect her husband’s work ethics and integrity.....but she didn’t feel overwhelmingly whole and complete with him - or with herself.
She simply desired something more! The emptiness inside her was unraveling.

Maybe Richard...the handsome-hot-stud photographer whom Elizabeth met in a Thai Chi class - a man who tilted his head just right - and “touched Elizabeth’s arm meditatively”, would be the fulfillment she was looking for.
Afterall, when their eyes met, Elizabeth felt it was like a “javelin” aim straight at her. However, we readers know otherwise - that this attraction-fantasy - will lead down a slippery path: and of course it does.

Fact is.....I could see the story, messages and predictability a mile away.
I apologize for being a horrible Debbie-Downer- (it’s not fun picking a book apart).....but there were just ‘too many’ things that didn’t float my boat.

The biggest weakness - ( I feel like such a creep for saying this too) - was mixing themes about Georgia O’Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz into this story at all. I wouldn’t have done it.
It wasn’t necessary in order to examine Elizabeth’s personal dissatisfaction, self worth, voice, marriage, or her job, as a woman.

I still own a few of Georgia Okeeffe books - have read plenty about O’Keeffe’s personal and artistic life—(we gave the wall-artwork away years ago), but honestly...
I couldn’t get behind the icon-theme, ( plot device), to shed light on insights about being a whole, complete, satisfied woman.

Wishing Barbara Linn Probst enjoyment and success with the release of her first book - I was wrong ‘fit’ reader....but many others will enjoy it.

Thank you Barbara, ‘She Writes Press’, and Netgalley

The book was a great look into one woman's life. I found myself rooting for Elizabeth and wanting to know how the story ends. Beautifully written and composed.

Barbara Linn Probst’s debut novel, Queen of the Owls, is stunning: gorgeous prose highlighting a book about creativity, seeing and being seen. As a former photographer and artist, this book has everything needed to intrigue me: Georgia O’Keeffe, Alfred Steiglitz, painting, photography, art history, feminism, and the price a woman pays to be creative, to be all she was meant to be, to be seen as herself—not merely in the male gaze or a reflection of a man.

Elizabeth is an Art History Ph.D. candidate stuck in the rut of a marriage that never should have been. Her dissertation is on O’Keeffe’s time in Hawaii. Her feelings are chiseled open by an unusual relationship with a photographer, Richard Ferris. Together, they explore the seen and unseen, the whole and the fragment. With Ferris, she feels safe enough to reveal her innermost desires as they reproduce the photographs in which O’Keeffe posed for Steiglitz. When Ferris exhibits those photographs—without her permission—Elizabeth’s position at the university, her personal and professional reputations, and her very marriage are at risk. Despite the precariousness of her life at the moment, Elizabeth realizes that she is authentic, a fully-dimensional person. She stands at this rift in her life and must decide whether to leap across the void or to retreat.

This is an intimate, yet psychologically deep look at one woman’s attempts to balance love, life, children, and career—and above all, to liberate herself from the limits of her own expectations and to evolve.

This is a beautifully written novel full of intelligence and art as well as one woman’s longing for deep connection. I found the background information about Georgia O’Keefe absolutely fascinating.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoy books that take me somewhere I would never have gone or to experience something I never would have unless I had read the book. This book took me into the world of an artist I had never heard of through the main character, Elizabeth. I learned so much about Georgia O'Keeffe and a world of art I had never experienced. I had never considered looking past what was in front of me to see what was beyond the image. This caused me to look up just who this artist was and find out more of what she was about. Why she painted the way she did and ultimately became a model for Alfred Stieglitz in the poses she was in. I felt she was very ahead of her times in what she did. Art was an expression of who she was. In her own works and the works of Stieglitz. One of her quotes:
“I often painted fragments of things because it seemed to make my statement as well as or better than the whole could.” All of these components are adeptly written throughout the pages of this book as to who Georgia O'Keeffe was. The characters in the book complimented this very well.

Elizabeth is writing her dissertation around the famous artist Georgia O'Keefee and how her artwork transitioned throughout her life. A part of that was how O'Keeffe's relationship with Stieglitz developed and she became the subject of his art medium of photography. Elizabeth's life has become a ho-hum, day in, day out humdrum of an existence. She's lost who she is in all the everyday motions of being a wife, mother, sister, student and student teacher. All the other couples she knows have loving relationships and hers is nothing close. Ben and her go "through the motions" but have no romantic or intimate feelings for one another. Elizabeth is the "intelligent" one between her and her sister, Andrea and starts to wonder who "she" really is. "The same Liz, because people didn't change-until they did." She decides to enroll in a Tai Chi class and in enters photographer Richard...and an attraction she never expects. Where does this take Elizabeth in her self searching? This story took me into a thought provoking and complex search with Elizabeth. In a way it was life imitating art. What can happen in a search for self? Well, this story was one of unexpected results. I felt for Elizabeth. The choices she made were so out of character but in the end were they the right ones? Would Elizabeth ultimately find out who she was meant to be?

This story is intimate and deep. It's one that challenged my thinking and how far would I be willing to go if I felt "unseen" or "unknown" for who I am. How self expression through art is more than just images on canvas or prints. I thought about the title and why Ms. Probst chose "The Queen of the Owls". I know what I concluded but each reader needs to discover that on their own, I believe. The story within this story is an in-depth look at who Georgia O'Keeffe was, what she could have been thinking and feeling and why she chose the subjects of her artwork at the points in her life that she did. Another of her quotes: “I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.”

I want to thank Barbara Linn Probst for the advance copy of her debut novel. It's one that really made me think but also gave me a new appreciation of what it means to be true to yourself and all the multiple parts that make you the person you are meant to be.
All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

Elizabeth is a student writing her dissertation on Georgia O'Keefe. She becomes consumed with her Thesis and the nude photos of O'Keefe. She meets a photographer in her Tai Chi class and her actions will redefine her current existence as mother, wife, sister, teacher and student. Is she brave or reckless? The writing brings O'Keefe' s paintings to life for the reader. The scenes with her children are especially sweet. Thought provoking all around.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

I was intrigued by the blurb of this novel, but in reading it, I found the treatment to be a bit off putting. I didn’t finish this one.

This book was hard to put down. I devoured it in two sittings. The story was so captivating it made you not want it to end. I love it!

Literary fiction at its best.I was drawn in to this gorgeous written novel of a woman a renown photographer his nude photos of her their involvement.The reality of being a muse.Characters so well drawn an author I will be following.#netgalley#shewritespress

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.

Queen of the Owls by Barbara Linn Probst is about an art history academic and her insecurities in her career and in her marriage.