Review: Sorcery of Thorns

Title: Sorcery of Thorns
Author: Margaret Rogerson
Series: Stand-a-lone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: June 4, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Format: Physical (OwlCrate)
Length: 456 pages
Rating: 5/5 Stars

“Knowledge always has the potential to be dangerous. It is a more powerful weapon than any sword or spell.”

Goodreads Overview (4.28/5 stars)
ll sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

Click to view on Instagram. 

First Thoughts

Growing up in a library and full of adventures!? Count me 100% in!

Short Review
I didn’t read Margaret’s other book Enchantment of Ravens, but after this one, it’s headed straight to the top of my TBR pile! This unique story sends the main characters on crazy adventures involving books, sorcerers, and monsters alike. I loved all of the twists and turns that this story took! The hate-to-love romance was also a great side theme to the story.

Characters
Elisabeth Scrivener is the heroin of this story. The one that belongs to the library. She was left abandoned as a young girl and grew up living with the enchanted books (grimoires) that speak to her and hold the secrets of sorcery. She is training to become a warden of these books to protect the kingdom from their power. Elisabeth begins to question all that she knows as true and this adventure takes her on a wild ride.

Nathaniel Thorn is a mysterious dangerous sorcerer that becomes a partner of Elisabeth’s as she is thrown into a multi-century old conspiracy. He’s a rich sorcerer known for his family’s dark magic of necromancy. Together they have to embark on a dangerous adventure to save the kingdom.

Cover: 9 (OwlCrate)
Plot: 9
Characters: 9
World Building: 8
Pacing: 8
Writing: 10
Ending: 9
Average Total: 9/10

I absolutely loved Margaret Rogerson’s whimsical and fast paced writing of this story. Although a well-known fantasy story plot, she did so in such a different manner than I have ever ready before. All the stars for this one!

Moral of the Story/Take-away
Just because you grow up differently or in a different environment than most, doesn’t mean you don’t have your own special abilities. You don’t have to be born rich, have everything you can image, be popular, or the prettiest person in the world to become everything you wish to be. Don’t ever give up on your dreams and remember to keep shinning! I look forward to reading Margaret Rogerson’s other book!

Continuing Series: N/A

Recommending: Yes

Adventure On,
Amanda

Review: Renegades

Title: Renegades

Author: Marissa Meyer

Series: Renegades #1

Published: November 7, 2017

Genre: YA Fantasy, Science Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Length: 556 pages/16 hours 58 minutes

Rating:  4/5 Stars


“Hero or villain, all prodigies were powerful. All prodigies were dangerous.”

Goodreads Overview (4.16/5 stars)

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Click image to view on Instagram.

First Thoughts

Its superhero meets political chaos.

Short Review

I was extremely hesitant to pick up Renegades because I couldn’t get into Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles. But, I was pleasantly surprised with this super hero marvels kind of story. I really enjoyed the politics that played throughout the book with the “good” vs. “evil” aspect and the government control.

Nova grew up trusting in the Renegades to be there when she and her family needed them most. The Renegades are prodigies, humans with extraordinary abilities, which provided peace where chaos had taken over after the crash of society. They are the symbol of hope and courage. However, Nova has a reason to hate them and has set out for revenge. Adrian, a Renegade, believes in justice, the peace of the community, and he believes in Nova for who he thinks she is.

Characters

The characters were very unique with their own abilities and their specific roles in society. I enjoyed the team effort stance and how they all worked towards a common goal whether they were on the Renegades or the Anarchists. Each character we get introduced to were well developed and we actually get to know them personally. There are so many diverse characters (color, disability, sexuality). I loved how they were not necessarily good or bad… some of the good guys were bad and some of the bad guys were really good. The motives of each character were questioned throughout the book and kept me wanting to know more.

Cover: 8

Plot: 8

Characters: 9

World Building: 8

Pacing: 7

Writing: 7

Ending: 9

Average Total: 8/10

The reason I didn’t give this book a full 5 star rating really was the pacing. The beginning was slow, like really slow, but the last half really picked up. I am not sure I would have read the whole book physically as I was stuck at the start, but the audio book was a great option so I could do other things. It did take me a bit longer to finish this one as the first 2/3 of the book didn’t hook me. The last third really brought the rating up from a 3 star to a 4 star for me.

Moral of the Story/Take-away

Just because you are labeled as one thing, doesn’t mean that you are that thing. You can change who you are and what you do at a moments notice.

Continuing Series: Yes

Recommending: Yes

Adventure On,
Amanda

Review: The Woman in the Window

Title: The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Series: Stand Alone
Published: 02/02/2018
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Length: 13 hrs 43 min (449 pages)
Rating: 5/5 stars (GR 4.01)

"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life."

Overview

Anna Fox, a child psychologist, has lived an intense past few months. She experiences an accident and is unable to leave her home do to her agoraphobia (An anxiety disorder characterized by fear of certain places and situations that the person believes is difficult to escape from such as open spaces and public transport.) Her husband and child left, although she still speaks with them, she spends her days drinking wine and watching here neighbors through her camera or watching black and white films. She has a super attractive tenant living thin the basement and new neighbors that are moving in. One day she witnesses a crime and struggles to get people to believe her, including the police.

TW: agoraphobia, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, murder, death, grief

First Thoughts

Loved! Totally not what I was expecting.

Review

I loved this book. I was so engaged and couldn't stop until I knew what was going to happen. Are the neighbors really all they appear to be? The story kept me wondering most of the time.

Characters

Anna Fox is a child psychologist with demons of her own. At almost 40, she spends her days drinking and peeping on others. She is a complete hot mess for a lack of better terms. Is she who she thinks she is? Will she help herself while trying to help everyone else?

Ethan, the super cute neighbor boy, is so sweet and loving. He visits Anna soon after his family moved in next door and continues to try to build a relationship with her.

Moral of the Story/Take Away

My biggest takeaway from this book was taking care of yourself before you take care of others. Believe in yourself, even when others don't. And always remember, live your life before it's too late.


Adventure On,
Amanda

Review: Scythe

Title: Scythe
Author: Neal Shusterman
Series: Arc of a Scythe #1
Published: 11/22/2016
Genre: YA Science Fiction > Dystopia
Format: e-book
Length: 448 pages
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Humanity is innocent; humanity is guilty, and both states are undeniably true.”

Goodreads Overview (4.35/5 stars)

Two teens are forced to murder—maybe each other—in the first in a chilling new series from Neal Shusterman, author of the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology.

In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.

Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives.

First Thoughts

What would our world truly be like without natural death and government?

Review

Wow, just unbelievably wow. I haven’t read a book that drew me in like this in a long while. I couldn’t put it down. This book will leave you thinking long and hard about our current society and the changes we have gone through and continue to encounter. From the politics to the overall health of the environment, things we are debating on today, the author brings to light many thought provoking situations. I felt like the romance in this novel was well done and completely not insta-love. I was worried when I started that this would become more of a mushy romance vs. a true adventure novel. I was pleasantly surprised. As my first Neal Schusterman book, I am hooked. One of my new favorite books for sure!

Characters

Citra, the main female character, was very strong headed and motivated to be the best at everything. She went through enormous character development in this first novel and I look forward to seeing her change in the second.

Rowan, the main male character, was a middle of the road kid. The “lettuce” of the family that never really stood out or did anything spectacular. Rowan is just walking through life the best he can waiting for the day he may be gleaned.

Moral of the Story/Take-away

The moral of this book is to live your life instead of just making it through it. Take time to enjoy moments with family and friends. Remember that it’s not about what you have in life, but what memories and moments you create.

Review: Hunted

Title: Hunted
Author: Meagan Spooner
Published: 03/14/2017
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Format: Audiobook
Length: 9 hours (384 pages)
Rating: 4/5 stars

“There’s no such thing as living happily ever after – there’s only living. We make the choice to do it happily.”

Goodreads Overview (3.93/5 stars)

Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them.

So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.

Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast?

First Thoughts

How did I miss all of the craziness in the Disney story?

Review

OK, so I have to give myself a break, I watched the Disney movies in a totally different state of mind. And, as this is a retelling, things are very different and much more obvious. Throughout the book, there was tension and haste towards life and its meanings. A few strong points that stuck out to me during this retelling were Stockholm Syndrome and bestiality. I didn’t really recognize these things in the original Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, but man did it stick out like a sore thumb here (more towards the end than anything). This retelling is a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Russian folk tales and I loved the combination of both. I was disappointed in the ending and felt it was so rushed. I believe the beginning could have happened faster and then allowed for a smoother wrap up at the end. Overall I would definitely recommend to both lovers of retellings and those not so fond of them.

Characters

Yeva, nicknamed “Beauty”, is a strong woman with a love for the wild. She is supposed to be a proper young lady ready to marry a man courted to her. She loves to hunt and is more of a tomboy than the fine princess she is destined to be.

The Beast, nicknamed “Eovan”, is a sheltered and miserable beast. I was confused during most of the story when they referred to “we” instead of “I”, but with no spoilers, you will figure out why. He doesn’t have too much to say throughout the book, but his small parts really have an impact.

Moral of the Story/Take-away

The moral of this retelling is different than that of the original. I gathered that there’s nothing magical that will make you happy, no man/person will make you happy, and no amount of money will make you happy. You are the only one that can make you happy and the choices you make daily strongly affect that.

Review: The Perfect Christmas

Title: The Perfect Christmas
Author: Debbie Macomber
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Page Count: 232
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3/5

"Maybe money can't buy love - but it can get you practically everything else."


Goodreads Summary
"For Cassie Beaumont, it's meeting her perfect match. Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing's worked. Not blind dates, not the Internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.

What's left? A professional matchmaker. He's Simon Dodson, and he's very choosy about the clients he takes on. Cassie finds Simon a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.

Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets him. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a children's party and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all --- and she's finally ready to meet her match."

First Thought
Well that was Hallmark-ish.

Review
This was a sweet, short, and quick read for me. I started reading this in December of 2017 and just wasn't feeling it at the time. I re-started reading it yesterday and read the whole thing in one sitting. It really was an easy read. 

I enjoyed the idea of paying for the perfect or "most suitable match" ($30,000 was far fetched), but I felt like the story was left short. Although the tasks were very entertaining and I did giggle a few times, I didn't feel the tension in the love story. Of course I knew who would end up with whom by the end, but I was hoping to feel the emotions a bit more.

It was decent, I'd recommend it for a quick cozy holiday read. Not on my to read or purchase lists though.

Review: The Sun is Also a Star

Hey everyone! It's been a hot minute since I last posted a book review. I have been in a killer reading slump. But, I think I am doing better. So, I have decided to revamp my reviews a bit and shorten them to more of a chatty review. Let me know what you think. 

Title: The Sun is Also a Star

Author: Nicola Yoon

Page Count: 348

Genre: YA Contemorary, Romance, Fiction

Controversial Topics: Inter-racial relationships, illegal immigration

Rating: 3/5 stars

"If people who were actually born here had to prove they were worthy enough to live in America, this would be a much less populated country"

Summary

Two young people with a busy day ahead of themselves find each other running into one another throughout the day. Is it coincidence or fate? Natasha, a complete science/facts person, is being deported within 12 hours and Daniel, the hopeless romantic/dreamer, has an interview to determine his entire future. How will the next 12 hours play out? 

First Thought

Well it wasn't Everything, Everything. 

I know I shouldn't automatically judge this book based on Nicola Yoon's other book, but I do. I was really hoping that the mixed reviews were wrong and I'd love this more than the other. I think the unlikeliness that two young people would have "insta-love" in 12 hours really threw me off. 

I did enjoy the POV's of others within Natasha and Daniel's lives. I think I was more attached to side characters though. I just wasn't fond of Natasha and her crusty attitude. Daniel, the hopeless romantic, was an easy to love character. I felt the character development had so many holes and really could have been amazing. I was also completely expecting the ending... can't say more about that.

"Maybe part of falling in love with someone else is also falling in love with yourself."

Now, don't get me wrong, it is a cute contemporary and I don't regret the read. It was light and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't purchase this book for my collection, but it's worth a rental at the library. 

Have you read The Sun is Also a Star? What were your thoughts on it? Post any reviews below, I'd love to check them out. 

Review: Half Bad

The Details

Title: Half Bad

Author: Sally Green

Genre: YA Fantasy

Length: 394 pages

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Medium: Hardcover

Rating: 3.5/5

Pace: Medium

Stand-alone or Series: Book 1 of the Half Bad Trilogy

“I couldn’t ever touch anything as bad as you.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

Wanted by no one. Hunted by everyone.

Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

Half Bad is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive.

The Review

I found many controversial topics throughout this book. First, there is both black and white witches. The black witches are hunted and killed. Second, the slavery and abuse was evident throughout the entire story. Nathan is known as a half code, his father is the most wanted black witch in history and his mother is white. His struggle with knowing who he was and dealing with how bad he was seen was engaging and interesting. I was annoyed with the cage he lived in throughout the book and was so upset when he was bullied.

THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT MAGIC! I repeat, the book is not like Harry Potter or any other magical books you may have loved. There’s some reference to the witches different abilities, but nothing detailed. Maybe the rest of the trilogy covers this more?

The Characters

Nathan, the main character, was an alright character. He was the one everyone hated, the black sheep of the family. He did hold his own throughout the book.

Honestly, I don’t have a bunch of character names to list as they all blended together. I know there was the council that was against him and tried everything to get rid of him. Their kids were just as horrible. Then Nathan’s family, was also a bunch of jerks. Except his lone brother that tried to be there for him.

The Style

The style of the book was odd to me. At first, I thought I was reading it the way it was because the main character wasn’t educated. But some parts of the book are well written, while others are as if a second grader wrote it. I enjoyed the first chunk and the ending, but the middle was slow and lacked something, I am not sure what that something is, but it put me in a reading slump.

The Recommendation

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a different kind of witch tale. Be on the lookout for some triggers though: whites/blacks, slavery, bullying, and suicide.

Review: Red Queen

The Details

Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Read By: N/A

Genre: YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian

Length: 383 pages

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Medium: Paperback

Rating: 5/5

Pace: Fast

Stand-alone or Series: Book 1 of the Red Queen Trilogy

“Anyone can betray anyone.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

The Review

Debut novel by this author. I was instantly hooked! This novel was an amazing combination of history (in it’s own world), sci-fi, and dystopian. I loved the main character and what she stood for. Having not known who she was and what she was capable of, she was always looking to help others.

There are some intense betrayals throughout the book from all characters. I never knew who I could trust. The same issue that Mare had throughout the book. The action scenes were so detailed! I loved feeling like I could visualize the whole book.

When you’d think there couldn’t be any more twists, there is. Without spoiling the book, I can’t say any more.

The Style

The book was well written and very easy to follow. I didn’t feel like I was jumping around while reading it. It was fast paced and I read it in about a day and a half. I just had to know what happened next and ran to the library for the second novel.

The Recommendation

I recommend this book to those looking for dystopian novel. There is a strong presence of sci-fi/fantasy as the characters have powers. Keep in mind when going into this book that some of the story isn’t necessarily original as it is similar to other dystopian type books. Which, is part of the reason I loved it so much. 

Review: The Woman in Cabin 10

The Details

Title: The Woman in Cabin 10

Author: Ruth Ware

Read By: Imogen Church

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Length: 380 pages

Release Date:

Medium: Audiobook

Rating: 3.5/5

Pace: Medium

Stand-alone or Series: Stand-Alone

“I know what it's like. Don't you see? I know what she must have felt like, when someone came for her in the middle of the night. That's why I have to find out who did this to her.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

In this tightly wound story, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong…

With surprising twists and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another intense read.

The Review

This is my first ready by this author. I was so intrigued right away and excited to see what would happen. The first few chapters were not what I was expecting. To be honest, I didn’t read any of the reviews before starting this one. It was a book club choice of the month and I knew the synopsis sounded great.

I enjoyed the book for the most part. I didn’t like the main character, Lo. She was so bossy and rude throughout the entire book. For being a journalist and trying to get people to talk to her she wasn’t very approachable. She was relatable with the panic attacks and the feeling of claustrophobia as many people suffer from those things daily.

The story line was OK. I wasn’t blown away, but thought it was an interesting take on the cruise ship mystery. I was questioning each and every character trying to figure out the big story. I kept wanting to turn on my phone to listen to the audio book. So, the suspense factor was great.

The Style

I felt like the style of the book was well done. The narrator did a great job with the different characters. It was a bit slow at the start and then the ending felt so rushed.

The Recommendation

I recommend this book to those looking for a simple mystery read. Keep in mind however the triggers involved including: weight, depression, anxiety, claustrophobia, and shipwrecks/drownings.

Review: Gilded Cage

The Details

Title: Gilded Cage

Author: Vic James

Genre: Dystopian, YA

Length: 368 pages

Release Date: February 17, 2017

Medium: E-Book

Rating: 4/5 stars

Pace: Medium

Stand-alone or Series: Series Dark Gifts #1

“Do your slavedays too old, you’ll never get through them. Do your slavedays too young, you’ll never get over them.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

Not all are free. Not all are equal. Not all will be saved.
Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world. 
A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.
Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price? 
A boy dreams of revolution.
Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution. 
And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.
He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

The Review        

I was provided this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Seconds please! This book has its own magical world that I loved. I enjoyed the different take on a dystopian genre. The slavetowns were a new concept that I found interesting. I felt there was so much history behind the book and loved the world building. I was eager to know what was going to happen and the ending has me begging for more!

The Characters

I enjoyed most of the main characters. I felt like the Kingston estate characters could use a bit more detail, but then again the darkness behind them was mysterious.

Abi was the sister everyone wants and loves. Doing whatever it takes to keep her family safe.

Luke was a great character that I cheered for the entire time. He felt so real and relatable.

The Style

This book is told from different perspectives every chapter or so. Sometimes that drives me crazy, but the flow was great.

The Recommendation

I recommend this to anyone looking for a magical and historical type of book. 

Review: Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch

The Details

Title: Disaster at Roosevelt Ranch

Author: Elise Faber

Genre: Romance

Length: 211 pages

Release Date: December 13, 2016

Medium: E-book

Rating: 3.5/5

Pace: Fast

Stand-alone or Series: Book 1 in Roosevelt Ranch series

“I had never thought of a plus sign as a bad thing. Of course, I’d never had on show up on a sick I’d peed on. Kudos to me, that changed today.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

I slept with the wrong twin.

And all I got for it in return was a broken heart.

Oh yeah, and a baby on the way—there’s that too.

But I’m determined to make it on my own. I don’t need a man, thank you very much. Not rich, charismatic, and decidedly flighty Rex Roosevelt, and especially not his twin brother, Justin.

No matter that the gorgeous former military doctor makes my heart beat a little faster . . . and all spots lower pay careful, careful attention.

None of that matters. The Roosevelt men are dangerous and I’m steering clear.

The trouble is, Justin refuses to leave me be.

And deep down, I don’t want to avoid him.

Deep down, I want to be even closer.

The Review

I was provided this e-book from the author and publisher on NetGalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book from the first page. It was light hearted and a very quick read (one sitting to be exact). This isn’t the traditional romance where two fall in love, then one runs away, and they fall back in love. It was fast paced, but almost too fast for me. The beginning had great story line and build up, but the middle and end felt so rushed. I wanted to linger in the romance a little longer before the drastic change in events.

The Characters

Kelly was so relatable. Instead of being the traditional, “I wish my life would end up like that”, I felt like so many people can relate to her circumstances.

Justin, stole the show from the first mention of him. He is the well-known hero that everyone loves. I enjoyed his background story and his characteristics.

Rex, made me mad, enough said about him.

The Style

This is a very fast paced book. There are some adult sexual scenes, as there are in most romance novels.

The Recommendation

I recommend this to anyone who loves reading romance. It was a light and fun read on a cold winter day for me. This was my first book from this author. I look forward to the second installment from Roosevelt Ranch. 

Review: The Mistletoe Promise

The Details

Title: The Mistletoe Promise

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Genre: Romance

Length: 251 pages

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Medium: E-book

Rating: 3.5/5

Pace: Fast

Stand-alone or Series: Mistletoe Collection (Stand-alone)

"What I do know is that everyone makes mistakes. That's why forgiveness is so important. Unfortunately, so many of us are bad at it."

The Goodreads Synopsis

Elise Dutton dreads the arrival of another holiday season. Three years earlier, her husband cheated on her with her best friend, resulting in a bitter divorce that left her alone, broken, and distrustful.

Then, one November day, a stranger approaches Elise in the mall food court. Though she recognizes the man from her building, Elise has never formally met him. Tired of spending the holidays alone, the man offers her a proposition. For the next eight weeks—until the evening of December 24—he suggests that they pretend to be a couple. He draws up a contract with four rules:

1. No deep, probing personal questions

2. No drama

3. No telling anyone the truth about the relationship

4. The contract is void on Christmas Day

The lonely Elise surprises herself by agreeing to the idea. As the charade progresses, the safety of her fake relationship begins to mend her badly broken heart. But just as she begins to find joy again, her long-held secret threatens to unravel the emerging relationship. But she might not be the only one with secrets.

The Review

My first thoughts, this is a cliché Christmas novel. Pretending to be in a relationship for the holidays instantly made me think of a Hallmark T.V. movie. Not that this is a bad thing, but I wanted more from it. I appreciated the different take on how it became a relationship with the Mistletoe Promise (contract).

Many readers and reviewers stopped reading this novel due to the flashbacks to the history of the main characters’ lives. Both extremely tragic and heart wrenching, it might not be suitable for all readers.

The Characters

The two main characters within this novel have incredible back stories. They are very real and I could see them as actual people versus fictional characters. I wish we could have seen more into the stranger’s life (name withheld to avoid spoiler).

The Style

This was a simple and easy read. I read it in one sitting. It was fast and didn’t drag out parts that didn’t need to be.

The Recommendation
I do recommend this book, but I don’t plan to read it again. It was a cozy Christmas read, but nothing more than that for me. 

Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two

The Details

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts One and Two

Author: J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 343 pages

Release Date: July 31, 2016

Medium: Hard Cover Play

Rating: 4/5

Pace: Fast

Stand Alone or Series: Book 8 in Harry Potter Series (Play)

“Those we love never truly leave us, Harry. There are things that death cannot touch.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

The Review

First, if you’re reading this before you read the play, please don’t go into it as the eighth installment of the Harry Potter series. It’s more like a fan fiction spin off.

Now, onto the review. The play write itself was very entertaining. I enjoyed the small glimpses into the past Harry Potter novels. Although, I felt as though some of the script discredited the original stories.

The take on the original Harry Potter character’s kids was very entertaining. I enjoy time travel using the time turner, so I enjoyed the major plots of the play. If you don’t enjoy or believe that the time turner should be used, this play write isn’t for you.

The Characters

The original Harry Potter characters are only briefly seen throughout the play write.

Harry’s son, Albus, and Draco’s son, Scorpius, are the main characters in this play write. I enjoyed both characters and loved the unexpected relationships between characters.

The Style

First and foremost, this is a play script. It’s not a novel. It was fun to read as a script versus a novel and it made me want to see the play in person. The scenes went quicker than I wanted, as most plays do. I wanted to savor some of the interactions. It was a very fast read for me and is relatively short considering the format of the writing.

The Recommendation

I recommend this to all lovers of Harry Potter and the wizarding world, keeping in mind it’s not the 8^th installment. Even if, as a reader, you don’t like reading plays, it’s worth the time if you love the wizarding world that J.K. Rowling created.

I don’t recommend this to anyone new to the wizarding world and Harry Potter. Some references won’t be understood if you haven’t read or seen the movies of the seven Harry Potter novels. 

Review: The Vow

The Details

Title: The Vow

Author: Laura Daleo

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampire

Length: 238 pages

Release Date: August 27, 2016

Medium: ebook (Netgalley)

Rating: 4/5

Pace: Medium/Fast

Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone

“A vow of peace set forth this day, March 31^st, 1885 joins mankind and vampire into one world ending all bloodshed between species”

The Goodreads Synopsis

Finals are over, and twenty-year-old Claire Matthews can hardly wait to begin summer break until...she arrives home to an army of police swarming her parents' front lawn. Detective Reynolds delivers the dreadful news that the man and woman inside the home are dead, and Claire is forced to identify their mummified bloodless bodies. Her world comes to a grinding halt when she learns that it is her mother and father who are the deceased, and her younger brother, JJ, is nowhere to be found. The predator accused...a vampire.

Claire is no stranger to vampires; in fact, these days' vamps are a dime a dozen. One-hundred-thirty years ago a vow was made, combining the two worlds. A vampire's survival no longer required a human sacrifice. Vampire Centers were created, offering human blood through transfusion; yet, why were her parents bled dry? Why now? What changed? Could a rogue vampire be responsible? Was it possible vampires, Nate and Parker, JJ's best friends, suddenly hungered for human blood?

The Review

The vampire vow is being broken by none other than a human! Claire is home for vacation from college and comes to find cops at family home.  Welcome home, please identify your dead parents…. Her suspenseful quest to find her parents murderer and locate her missing brother kept me guessing all the way to the end. I was sucked in from the very first page. I loved the new take on the vampire culture and the vow, leading to vampire centers where they get their blood through transfusion was a new one for me. Even though there’s a top of the line detective on the case, Claire will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery.

I felt a bit cut off at the end of the book, not enough to say a cliff hanger was there, but enough to have questions lingering. I just want to know what happens to them all in the next year …

The Characters

Claire Mathews is a reckless 20-something college student who does whatever it takes for her family. She is a strong willed individual, but continuously puts her life in danger!

Connor the most admired vampire at the center becomes mesmerized by Claire. He was a fun character to try to understand.

The Style

This book was easy to follow and had a forward moving pace. I was a bit distracted by some of the grammatical errors, but not enough to make me dislike the book.

The Recommendation

I recommend this to all vampire/paranormal lovers. Young adults will also enjoy this take on romance and adventure. I really liked the book and look forward to reading more from this author.  

* This was provided by NetGalley for an honest review.*

Review: All the Bright Places

The Details

Title: All the Bright Places

Author: Jennifer Niven

Genre: YA, Romance

Length: 378 pages (11 hours)

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Medium: Audio (Narration: Kirby Heyborne & Ariadne Meyers)

Rating: 3/5

Pace: Slow

Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone

“The thing I realize is that it’s not what you take, it’s what you leave.”

The Goodreads Synopsis

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

The Review

Trigger Warning: Suicide and Mental Illness

I struggled with listening to this book. I have heard and read so many five start reviews that I was really looking forward to it. However, I was a bit frustrated while listening to this book. I felt like the characters were their illness and not actual people. This is one of the huge problems we have with mental illness… people see them as an illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) instead of who they are. I was also frustrated that nobody appeared to be there to help the main characters with their mental illnesses. This book made me frustrated for those teens that are struggling with mental illness knowing they may read it. It basically shows that you can’t reach out to others because nobody will care or understand.

I did enjoy the romance between the two main characters, Finch and Violet, but I hated the way their relationship was hindered by their illnesses. Could their lives have been different if people didn’t judge and actually listened to their problems? I also enjoyed the traveling aspect of this book. The main characters are working on a school project and have to travel around their state and write a report about the places they visit. I loved listening to their fun adventures and their romantic relationship.

The Characters

There are two main characters that you follow during this book. Violet is one of the first you get to know as she lost her sister in an accident a year prior. She is struggling with depression and getting back into the swing of things at school. She is decently developed, but could have had more back story besides her life with her sister.

Finch is the second main character followed throughout the book. I was fascinated and frustrated with him as a character. I thought he was well through when thinking about him as a bipolar teenager having issues with his identity. However, I don’t feel like we got to know him as a person. This comes back to my original comment; he is only as well-known as his illness.

The Style

This is a dual perspective novel with each chapter following the other character. I am not really a fan of multiple perspectives, but this was not too confusing to follow. It was interesting having the dual perspective in the same chapter when they were talking to each other though. This may have been easier if I was reading the physical book rather than listening to the narration.

The Recommendation

I personally don’t recommend this book. It was mediocre and didn’t cover the topics as well as it should have. I have some issues with the way mental illness was discussed, even though it’s great that it is being written about, I feel like this book made it seem like once you are ill, you can’t ever get out of it. I hated that the characters were known for their illness and situations.