Last Review of 2009: The Truth About Forever

Title: The Truth About Forever
Author: Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Pub Date: May 2004, Penguin Group (USA)
Hardcover, 374 pages
Book Source: purchased from Booksamillion.com

Synopsis

I long dull summer stretches ahead of Macy while her boyfriend Jason is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of her father.


But sometimes unexpected things can happen--things like the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things like meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder if it really is better to be safe than sorry.

My Thoughts

I actually didn't think I would be able to squeak this review in before the New Year. That was before I really started getting into this book, though--before I couldn't put it down this afternoon.


The Truth About Forever is now officially my favorite book by Sarah Dessen that I have read so far. (I can even add it to my failed Sarah Dessen Challenge... Still 4 books shy of finishing that one.) I had heard many great things about this particular book and I can understand why. Dessen really has a talent for writing gripping, seemingly real-life YA fiction. There are always intriguing characters that have so many facets to their personalities--and you can be sure that there is more to them than meets the eye. Macy undergoes quite a transformation from a girl who is essentially living in her "perfect" boyfriend's shadow, to someone who finally takes chances and dares to live her life the way she wants to. I can honestly say it was sort of exciting to watch her change and grow--one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. Wes is definitely one of the many-faceted characters in this story, and through his game of Truth with Macy we learn more and more about him as the story progresses.


The Truth About Forever is a story about many things: death and grieving, love, friendship, and family (and often how all of those intermingle). I do sometimes find myself frustrated with the way that Dessent portrays some of the family interactions, but I have a feeling that is because I never experienced the same things in my own youth with my parents and have a hard time imagining events unfolding the way they do at times.

If you enjoy Dessen's books, I can't imagine that you wouldn't enjoy this one. With The Truth About Forever, she has come a long way from her first book, but it is still classic Sarah Dessen.

My rating:



Other reviews of The Truth About Forever:

Dear Author ~ Out of the Blue Book Reviews ~ Book Addiction

Just Listen Book Reviews ~ Harmony Book Reviews

Em's Bookshelf ~ For the Love of Books ~ Books I Done Read

Books Lists Life ~ Miss Erin ~ Leafing Through Life
What Vanessa Reads ~ Hope's Bookshelf ~ The Story Siren
Everyday Reading ~ Becky's Book Reviews
So Many Books, So Little Time

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: The Awakening

Title: The Awakening
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Paranormal
Pub Date: April 2009, HarperCollins Publishers
Hardcover, 368 pages
Book Source: purchased from BN.com

Synopsis

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl — someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment — not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends — a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch — and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying. 

My Thoughts

Unlike the first book in Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, I thought The Awakening was pretty fast-paced from the beginning. The characters are growing and developing much more in this book, but the plotting still feels a little shaky and all over the place. Nevertheless, I am anxious to see how this story unfolds and wraps up in the third book, The Reckoning, which is due out in April.

This book finds Chloe learning more about the Edison Group and the experiment they have been performing on children with supernatural powers. Not only does this storyline focus on Chloe and her friends' quest to discover the truth about the Edison Group, but Armstrong also gives us a glimpse into the dark and difficult life for kids on the street. The two characters who probably grow the most during this stage of the adventure are Chloe and Derek, both discovering what they are capable of and trying to understand how they can control their respective powers. Even Tori shows us what she is capable of (though still obnoxious as ever), and together, all four of them, Simon included, make a smart and resourceful team.

If you enjoyed The Summoning, I think I can safely say that that you will enjoy The Awakening, perhaps even more than the first book. I know I did, and I am looking forward to finding out how Armstrong wraps this story up in The Reckoning.

My rating:



Other reviews of The Awakening:

Darque Reviews ~ Graeme's Fantasy Book Review

Karin's Book Nook ~ Just Blinded Book Reviews ~ Steph Su Reads

Today's Adventure ~ The Book Obsession ~ KD's Library

Wrighty's Reads ~ Tales of a Ravenous Reader ~ The Story Siren

The Eclectic Reader ~ Reverie Book Reviews

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the link to your review and I will add it to the list!

Review: Evernight

Title: Evernight
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Paranormal
Pub Date: May 2008, HarperCollins Publishers
Hardcover, 327 pages
Book Source: purchased from BookBargains.com

Synopsis


Bianca wants to escape. 

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in. 

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him. 

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."
But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

My Thoughts

OK, I will admit it. Evernight might be your stereotypical YA vampire novel, but you know what? I enjoyed it, nonetheless. And actually, there were a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming when I was reading, so I definitely enjoyed being caught off guard. I am glad that I hadn't read any spoilers for this book beforehand--it is definitely a story that is better to go into with little information beforehand. (And as usual, I will try to keep the review spoiler-free.)

My biggest problem with this book is that I felt like some of the more interesting aspects of the storyline and characters were rather underdeveloped. There was a great deal of focus on life at the boarding school, but I think Gray could have gone into more detail on some of her more creative aspects of vampire culture vs. human culture. She really does a good job portraying some different ideas of vampire lore. Unfortunately, by the time we get to the real meat of the plot, there really isn't much time left to address it in the level of detail it deserves, if that makes any sense. I am hopeful this will be addressed more when I read the second book (which, by the way, I just ordered today).

However, I do think we have a great cast of characters and quite honestly, the story is engaging--along the same lines as another extremely popular vampire series (turned into movies) that shall remain nameless. I suppose this book is really a bit of a guilty pleasure, and you know something? Sometimes those are just what you need.

My rating:


Other reviews of Evernight:

Persnickety Snark ~ My Fluttering Heart ~ Bookshelves of Doom

Juiciliciousss Reviews ~ Book Review Maniac ~ Vita Dei 

And Another Book Read... ~ My Favorite Author ~ Words by Annie

Steph Su Reads ~ Look at that Book ~ Book Nut

Readergirl Reviews

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review and I will add you to the list!

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters

Title: Prophecy of the Sisters
Author: Michelle Zink
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Paranormal
Pub Date: August 2009; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 352 pages
Book Source: purchased from BN.com

Synopsis

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

My Thoughts

It took me awhile to read this book--there were many glowing reviews out there and I figured I would wait a bit before jumping in and checking it out. In the end, I am definitely glad I read it, but I have to admit it was slow going for me for about the first 100 pages--I had a difficult time getting drawn into the story initially.

The writing is great--as some of you may know from past reviews, I am not usually fond of the first person present tense in many books I read. The phrasing can feel awkward at times, in my opinion. Not so with this book! It was so well-written that I didn't even notice the point of view and tense for most of the book, which was a pleasant surprise. I also enjoyed the late 19th-century setting and felt that Zink did justice to the language and customs of the time.

Ultimately what I really appreciated about this book was the refreshing premise--this story is different from so much of the paranormal young adult fiction out right now. I also really appreciate the fact that the synopsis doesn't give too much away--that really adds to the enjoyment of the story, in my opinion. Once I was able to really be drawn into the plot and the characters I didn't want to put the book down. And silly me--somehow, even with all of the reviews out there, I didn't realize this was going to be a trilogy going into the book, and now that I've finished it I wish I had the second book close at hand! I am hoping that there will be further character development of some of the secondary main characters in the coming books. I feel that there was so much focus on the sisters, Lia and Alice, that some of the other important characters were left out in the cold.

The final verdict: Prophecy of the Sisters was definitely worth the read and, for me, mostly lived up to all the hype and great reviews out there.

My rating:



Other reviews of Prophecy of the Sisters:

Reverie Book Reviews ~ Juiciliciousss Reviews ~ Ink and Paper

Harmony Book Reviews ~ Presenting Lenore ~ My Favorite Author

Traveling to Teens ~ Steph Su Reads ~ The Book Reader

Persnickety Snark ~Reader Rabbit ~ Shooting Stars Mag

An Adventure in Reading ~ Read This Book!

Tales of a Ravenous Reader ~ Garden of Books (For Teens)

bookshelves of doom ~ Pop Culture Junkie ~ Frenetic Reader

Reading Rocks ~ The Reading Life

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the URL for your review and I will add it to the list!

Audiobook Review: The Stolen Moon of Londor

Title: The Stolen Moon of Londor
Author: A. P. Stephens
Narrated by: Richard Webster
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Pub Date: September 2009
Book Source: audio edition through Podiobooks, recommended by the author for review

Synopsis

The era of peace among the elves, men, and dwarves comes to an end when one of Londor’s twin moons disappears from the heavens. Without the moon’s balancing effect, evil forces grow bold, and warfare, sickness, and chaos threaten life itself.

Hearing the prayers of desperation that ride on the violent winds, the ancient wizard Randor Miithra, servant to the elf-gods, takes it upon himself to mend the world he has sworn to protect. The task will not be an easy one, though, for the wizard, too, has begun to feel the effects of the world’s imbalance. As Randor struggles to maintain some semblance of his powers, he meets a secretive band of colorful characters from all walks of life, drawn together by a common goal: to find the stolen moon, whatever the cost. It does not take Randor and his motley company long to see that someone or something does not want the moon returned to the heavens.

The road is perilous…the stakes have never been greater…will they find victory…or will they only find their deaths?

My Thoughts

When A. P. Stephens first contacted me regarding his book, I was very interested in checking out his first book in The White Shadow Saga, The Stolen Moon of Londor. I am very much a fantasy reader and lover and this book sounded intriguing. Is it ever! I enjoyed listening to it from start to finish and can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the paperback to read through it again.

In my opinion, The Stolen Moon of Londor ranks right up there with some of my other favorite fantasy reads: Terry Brooks, Tolkien, Terry Goodkind... Stephens is great at giving a lot of vivid detail without becoming so involved that you lose sight of the story. As any good quest would have, there are many different characters, with varying personalities and talents, involved in this adventure to recover the stolen moon. Oh, and how about that for a fresh, new idea in fantasy? I am still anxious to find out where this story is going after the first book--how does one steal a moon, after all, even in a fantasy novel? But back to the characters--obviously they are not yet fully developed as this is only the first book in the saga, but already I can see that there will likely be some surprises along the way with this group. I can't even say that I have a favorite character yet, though I expect that to change as I continue reading the saga.

As far as audiobooks go, I have to admit I have never been too keen on listening to involved stories, because I worry that I will miss something. I was surprised at how easily I was able to follow and keep up with the events that were transpiring. I think it helps that Stephens does not get too involved in various events--the battle scenes are descriptive without becoming too bogged down, the world and events are presented in great detail without being wordy... In short, this book is well-written and to the point; there's not a lot of fluff here. The only thing I thought was missing was a more detailed account of the world of Londor itself. I didn't always find that I could picture it in my head, and perhaps that is something that will change when I reread the book as opposed to listening to it, I can't be sure.

I am most definitely looking forward to continuing The White Shadow Saga and anxiously await the publication of the second book. I would think that any reader who shares my affinity to fantasy works would enjoy Stephens' book and I urge you to check it out!

My rating:



Other reviews of The Stolen Moon of Londor:

Fantasy Book Critic

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Omnimystery Book Tour: Murder on the Cliffs

Title: Murder on the Cliffs
Author: Joanna Challis
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Pub Date: November 2009, Minotaur Books
ARC, 292 pages
Book Source: Received for review as part of the Omnimystery Book Tour

Synopsis

"The storm led me to Padthaway. 

I could never resist the allure of dark swirling clouds, windswept leaves sweeping down cobbled lanes or a view of the sea stirring up its defiant nature. The sea possessed a power all of its own and this part of Cornwall, an isolated stretch of rocky cliff tops and unexplored beaches both enchanted and terrified me. 

It is not a lie to say I felt drawn out that day, led to a certain destiny... 

So begins this new mystery series featuring young Daphne du Maurier, headstrong, adventurous, and standing at the cusp of greatness.

Walking on the cliffs in Cornwall, she stumbles upon the drowned body of a beautiful woman, dressed only in a nightgown, her hair strewn along the rocks, her eyes gazing up to the heavens. Daphne soon learns that the mysterious woman was engaged to marry Lord Hartley of Padthaway, an Elizabethan mansion full of intriguing secrets.

As the daughter of the famous Sir Gerald du Maurier, Daphne is welcomed into the Hartley home, but when the drowning turns out to be murder, Daphne determines to get to the bottom of the mysteries of Padthaway—in part to find fresh inspiration for her writing, and in part because she cannot resist the allure of grand houses and long buried secrets."

My Thoughts

I am embarrassed to admit that I've never read anything by Daphne Du Maurier, but reading Challis' mystery has made me strongly desire to remedy that. Many thanks to Lance and the folks involved with the Omnimystery Book Tour for Joanna Challis' breathtaking first book in her Daphne Du Maurier series. I'm excited to be a part of this tour!

I could not put this book down. The writing was breezy and flowed beautifully and I couldn't help but get wrapped up in the mystery and the characters involved. Challis has painted vivid scenery, emotions, and characters in Murder on the Cliffs. The mystery, though not particularly suspenseful, is well-done, with the blame shifting to and from the various suspects until the very end, when the real murderer is finally revealed. I enjoyed Challis' portrayal of Du Maurier as an amateur sleuth and her interaction with all of the characters. I was equally impressed by Challis' full-bodied, well-developed characters. Love them or hate them, they all played a key role in this story, be it large or small.

What really shines about this book is the element of historical fiction and the idea that this story led Du Maurier to writing her most famous work, Rebecca. Combined with Challis' talent for characterization and vivid descriptions, you have a book that will sweep you away into another world. If you enjoy mysteries, amateur sleuthing, and quality writing, I urge you to pick up a copy of Murder on the Cliffs. I truly don't think you'll be disappointed.

My rating:

About The Author

Joanna Challis lives and writes in a colonial house with wrap-around verandahs and an English garden in Queensland, Australia, surrounded by family, old paintings, and anything fleur-de-lys. She is the author of several romantic suspense novels; Murder on the Cliffs is her first series mystery.

Giveaway!

Joanna Challis is giving away a signed copy of her book, Murder on the Cliffs, to one lucky tour visitor. Simply go to her tour page, http://joanna-challis.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, email address and this PIN: 3383 for your chance to win! Entries from Melissa's Bookshelf will be accepted until noon (PT) tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd. No purchase required to enter or win. The winner will be announced on Challis' Book Tour Page next week!

Review: Thanksgiving at the Inn

Title: Thanksgiving at the Inn
Author: Tim Whitney
Genre: Young Adult, Holiday, Family, Fiction
Pub Date: October 2009, Bancroft Press
Hardcover, 223 pages
Book Source: Harrison at Bancroft Press

Synopsis (from the dust jacket)


Ever since his mother left, life hasn't been easy for Heath Wellington III. Between his father's (Junior's) bouts with alcoholism and literary rejection, and Heath's own wrongful suspension from school, there hasn't been all that much to be thankful for.


But following the tragic death of estranged grandfather Senior, father and son alike stand to inherit a life-changing fortune... with one catch.


Heath and Junior must spend the next three months managing Senior's bed and breakfast, located in the same Massachusetts home Junior has spent the last eight years trying to escape.


Upended from his everyday life and relocated to a town where everyone knew and loved the grandfather he can't even remember, Heath finds an inn full of some of the strangest people he's ever met, such as:


~ Winsted, the old, wise Jamaican man who used to lead the prayers in Senior's factory;
~ Mrs. Farrel, an elderly woman giving away her late husband's fortune letter by letter;
~ Mustang Sally, the muscle-bound, tattooed grease monkey who doubles as a children's author;
~ Carter, the silent TV news junkie and secret Harvard graduate.


And at a nearby school is Savannah, Junior's first love and her adorable, autistic daughter, Tory.


Bust most of all, there's Junior himself, vinegar to Heath's oil. As Heath adjusts to his new world, what he needs most is to start anew with his father, to understand that Junior, too, is dealing with loss, and to realize that even in the most tragic of times, there's a lot in life to be thankful for.

My Thoughts

First of all, I would like to thank Harrison of Bancroft Press for sending me a copy of this book!

Thanksgiving at the Inn is an easy, enjoyable read that is not only perfect for the holiday season, but any time of the year. While on some levels I felt that this story could pass for middle grade reading (except for some mild profanity), it is a story that really anyone of any age can appreciate. This story reminds us the importance of being thankful for what we have--and that it's important to remember that at all times, not simply when tragedy strikes.

In my opinion, the writing is generally solid, though the plot may be a tad predictable and some of the characters could stand to be fleshed out a little more--particularly Heath's father. What I did enjoy was the variety of characters we see--the synopsis sums them up nicely, and they make for an interesting premise. Some elements of the plot may not seem believable, such as Junior's transformation after his accident, but I think the real importance of this book is the message that Whitney is trying to send. While all of the serious issues are dealt with on a superficial level, that does help to keep the read a little easier for those young adults out there that Whitney is targeting.

If you are looking for a book that is a quick read with a message of gratitude, then you might considering giving Thanksgiving at the Inn a try.

My rating:



Other reviews of Thanksgiving at the Inn:

Cafe of Dreams ~ Scrub-a-Dub-Tub ~ Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?

Frenetic Reader ~ Joyfully Retired ~ Life in the Thumb

Cheryl's Book Nook ~ A Reader's Journal

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Review: Nibble & Kuhn

Title: Nibble & Kuhn
Author: David Schmahmann
Genre: Fiction
Pub Date: November 2009, Academy Chicago Publishers
ARC, 279 pages
Book Source: Academy Chicago Publicity

Synopsis (from publisher)


An unraveling law firm. An unwinnable case. An unworkable love.

Derek Dover has it all.

Derek’s up for partner at Nibble & Kuhn just as that most proper of Boston law firms comically tries to ‘rebrand’ itself for the Google era. Pompous and arbitrary, the ruling junta of partners saddles him with a high visibility lawsuit just weeks before trial. The diligent young attorney arranges things so that Maria Parma, a new associate in the firm for whom he’s fallen hard, also gets named to the case. Maria, in turn, can’t keep her hands off Derek, but it’s complicated because she’s engaged to someone else.

As Derek prepares his case on behalf of seven young victims of an industrial polluter, his anxieties about his career and his torments over Maria’s mixed messages only increase. Have his eccentric WASP superiors handed him a ‘toxic’ case to ruin his chances of becoming a partner? How can he get his opponents to settle – an outcome the presiding judge all but demands – unless his unorthodox ‘expert witnesses’ perform with enough gravitas to match that of the other side with its Harvard Medical School scientist? Will Nibble & Kuhn survive the partners’ spectacularly bad business judgments? Does it even matter to Derek, given that his looming fiasco of a trial and his indiscretions with Maria seem set to sink any chance he ever had at partnership?

Ultimately, Derek sets into motion a line of inquiry that spins events entirely out of the control of the judge, jury, and any and all attorneys. 

My Thoughts

As I read this novel, I found myself wavering back and forth between feeling vaguely bored and detached, then intrigued and amused. Schmamann's writing is often dry, though ultimately that enhances the satirical nature of the story. Though I do not have a legal background, it was reasonably obvious when Schmamann was treating certain aspects of the legal profession with irony. With Nibble & Kuhn I also found myself reading another novel in the present tense, but this time it worked and rarely felt awkward.

Admittedly I was much more interested in the storyline involving the actual "unwinnable" case that Derek Dover was saddled with, rather than his workplace romance that was apparently going nowhere. Trudging through some of the drier parts of the book were ultimately worth it--the ending was priceless and one that I didn't see coming--a ridiculous conclusion that fit the rest of the story. It was truly a "laugh out loud moment." Overall, I thought Nibble & Kuhn was a good example of legal satire, and in the end I even enjoyed the outcome of Dover's relationship troubles.

My rating:

Thank you to Jacob from Academy Chicago Publishers for the ARC. Readers, keep your eyes open for a giveaway in the near future! 

Other reviews of Nibble & Kuhn:

A Progressive on the Prairie ~ The Printed Page ~ Cheryl's Book Nook

Drey's Library

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review listed here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review. 

Review: Karma for Beginners

Title: Karma for Beginners
Author: Jessica Blank
Genre: Young Adult
Pub Date: August 2009, Hyperion
Hardcover, 305 pages
Book Source: The Book Report Network on behalf of Disney-Hyperion

Synopsis


Fourteen-year-old Tessa has never had a normal life. Her mother, a frustrated hippie with awful taste in men, has seen to that. But when her mom pulls her out of school to live at an ashram in the Catskills, Tessa goes from being a freak among normal people to being an outcast among freaks. Freaks who worship an orange robe-wearing guru. And while her mom is buzzing with spiritual energy, and finding a little too much favor with the guru, all Tessa feels are weird vibes.

Unless she’s with Colin, the gorgeous guy who fixes trucks for the ashram. The connection they share is the most spiritual thing Tessa has ever felt. But he’s older—like illegally older—and Tessa’s taking dangerous risks to spend time with him. Soon her life is blooming into a psychedelic web of secrets and lies and it’s clear that something’s about to give way. When it does, will she have anyone to hold on to? Will she even know herself?

My Thoughts

Firstly, thank you to Nicole with The Book Report Network for sending me a copy of this book! Simply from reading the synopsis, I thought it sounded like an interesting premise and a promising story. Upon starting the book, I realized it was set in the 80's, which I also found to be a nice change from the modern setting that is usually depicted in stories lately. While I initially found the relationship between Tessa and her mother (and their move to an ashram) intriguing, ultimately the story fell flat for me.

I think the reason it didn't resonate is that I simply couldn't relate to the characters. I have never felt the way Tessa did, nor did I ever contemplate acting the way she did and making some of the decisions she chose. While this is supposed to be a young adult novel, I was really turned off by the amount of sex and drug use that was depicted. I guess it happens, but I have to admit if I had a 14-year old daughter, I would not want her reading this novel, nor do I really feel that is appropriate for anyone in that general age group. The first part of the story that focused on the move to the ashram and the effect it had on Tessa and her mother was certainly interesting, but the story started going downhill shortly thereafter.

The writing is generally solid, with my only complaint being the use of first person point of view. I seem to have become more sensitive to that lately and I really thought some of the phrases felt awkward simply because they were written in first-person. So, while I can appreciate that many people would probably enjoy Karma for Beginners, it did not work for me, nor would I feel comfortable recommending it to others.

My rating:


Other reviews of Karma for Beginners:

A Novel Menagerie ~ Harmony Book Reviews ~ Book Reviews by Jess

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Review: The Victor

Title: The Victor
Author: Marlayne Giron
Genre: Historical Romance
Pub Date: 2009, Tate Publishing
Trade paperback, 272 pages
Book Source: Received from the author for review.

Synopsis

A benevolent King;
...his sword of power;
...a ruthless traitor bent on revenge;
...and the faithful son who stands in his way with the woman destined to share his throne.

Who shall emerge as the victor in this epic struggle between good and evil to govern the lives of hapless men?

My Thoughts

Many, many apologies to Marlayne Giron--I should have read and reviewed this weeks ago but have been in a bit of a reading funk lately as life has gotten in the way of my literary pursuits. I am hopeful that reading The Victor has brought me out of that funk--I greatly enjoyed this historical tale of betrayal, victory and romance.

While not without its flaws, The Victor is an enjoyable read that has a happy ending--my favorite kind! The story is simple: a man named Lucius seeks revenge against the king for banishment and nearly succeeds before the king's son saves the day. And you know what, the plot line works, plain and simple. My biggest issue was getting a grasp on the passage of time. Too often "many years passed," or something happened "year after year," leaving me with an uncertain feeling as to just how much time actually did pass throughout the story--ultimately, about 6-7 years. And perhaps the usage of "thee," "thou," and "thy" seemed a bit awkward at times, but generally I did not find it to be a detraction.

Overall, I thought The Victor was a nice read and never boring, which was nice. Giron minced no words, scenes, or characters to convey her exciting tale. I heartily recommend this book if you are looking for an epic historical romance that is a relatively easy read and ends with everyone getting his or her just desserts. For more information on Marlayne Giron and The Victor, please visit her website!

My rating:



If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review here, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Audiobook Review: Cat & Mouse

Title: Cat & Mouse (Abridged)
Author: James Patterson
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Pub Date: December 2007, Hachette Audio
Source: Bookbargains.com

Synopsis

The latest of installment of the bestselling Alex Cross series finds James Patterson's intrepid Washington, D.C., homicide detective besieged by not one, but two deadly killers. To make matters worse, Cross has fallen deeply in love with Christine Johnson -- last seen in Jack & Jill-- a relationship that leaves him and his family all the more vulnerable to the deadly game his murderous opponents have devised. 

My Thoughts


My apologies for the drought between reviews. Work has kept me VERY busy lately. I did manage to get through this audiobook during my commutes over the past week and was glad to be listening to books on CD again.

I have not read many of Patterson's Alex Cross novels, but those that I have read so far have generally been exciting and suspenseful. Cat & Mouse was no exception. As always, I can live without the sex that Patterson inevitably includes but without a doubt he knows how to write a thriller that will keep you on your toes. One downside to this audiobook was that the quality of the recording was not that great--there are two readers and they were obviously recorded in different conditions; the two recordings just did not seem to blend together very well.

Overall, while the poor recording quality was distracting, I did enjoy this book and look forward to listening to more Patterson novels soon. His books, with their short chapters, really do work well for my commutes.

My rating:

Other reviews of Cat & Mouse:

Musings of a Bookish Kitty ~ Reading comes from Writing

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: The Civilization Loop

Title: The Civilization Loop
Author: Jason R. Thrift
Genre: Fiction, Sci-Fi
Pub Date: September 2007, Publish America
Paperback, 338 pages
Book Source: Received a copy from the author

Synopsis

Man has unlocked the ability to travel through time. From the outset of this new discovery, man's fate was also sealed. Now it is a race against time, against choice, against the very past that humanity holds to. This story will take you through the mysteries that lie at the very heart of all that is civilization, from the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Egypt, to the ancient world of the dinosaurs, to the myths and beliefs of our current reality. What if you went back in time and discovered that the world we know was started by people from our present? A tale of good versus evil, man versus machine, life versus death, and God in between. Journey with Dr. Robert Peterson and his dedicated team on a mission to end all mysteries, and the chance to finally put to rest the greatest mystery of all time...

The Civilization Loop.

My Thoughts

First off, many thanks to Mr. Thrift for sending me a copy of his book, The Civilization Loop. As many of you may know by now, I will often read and review self-published books if they are about subject matter that interests me. When Mr. Thrift contacted me about his book, I was fascinated by the premise, not to mention the fact I always love a Sci-Fi read.

Let me just say that The Civilization Loop does not disappoint. I started this book yesterday and just finished it up this morning; and although I really didn't want to stop reading it last night, in the end I had to get some sleep! I don't know about the rest of you, but I always find the theory of time travel and its consequences (time paradoxes) to be fascinating, yet mind-blowing. In my opinion, Thrift has done an incredible job of presenting it all in his book--a gripping story that will have you questioning at least the possibility of time travel for mankind. Not only do we revisit the Pyramids and ancient Egypt as noted in the synopsis, but Thrift was also ingenious in working Roswell's Area 51 and the lost city of Atlantis into the story. I won't say more than that, however, because I don't want to give away too many spoilers. Interestingly enough, Thrift has also chosen to mix a little bit of God with science, so to speak, and while this may offend some readers, I found it refreshing and very natural.

This book is not without its flaws, though I will say that they are mainly typographical and could be fixed by good editing, as is the case with many self-published books. The story itself is riveting and while various typos and awkward phrases were occasionally distracting, I did not feel that they took away from the overall story. Personally, I highly recommend The Civilization Loop if you have any tendencies towards Sci-Fi and/or time travel--it was well worth the read.

My rating:



If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your review listed here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review.

Review: The Popularity Rules by Abby McDonald

Title: The Popularity Rules
Author: Abby McDonald
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit
Pub Date: September 24, 2009, Arrow Books (UK)
Paperback, 473 pages
Book Source: Advanced copy from the publishers

Synopsis

Rule 1: All's fair in love, war and popularity...

Kat Elliot is no social butterfly: she's spent her life rebelling against phony schmoozing--and it's led her nowhere. Just as she's ready to give up her dreams and admit defeat, in steps Lauren Anderville. One-time allies against their school bullies, Lauren and Kat had been inseparable. Then one year Lauren returned from summer camp, blonde, bubbly and suddenly popular, and Kat was left to face the world alone.

Ten years later, Lauren's back. She wants to make amends by teaching Kat the secret to her success: The Popularity Rules. A decades-old rulebook, its secrets transformed Lauren that fateful summer. And so, tempted by Lauren's promises of glitzy parties and the job she's always dreamed about, Kat reluctantly submits to a total makeover--only to find that life with the in-crowd might have something going for it after all.

But while Lauren has sacrificed everything to get ahead, is Kat really ready to accept that popularity is the only prize that counts?
My Thoughts

OK, I have to be honest. This book is an example of why I don't generally read Chick Lit. I realize that sounds harsh, and I apologize for that, but I don't know how else to express it. I found the story and the characters to be very superficial and for much of the book I was absolutely annoyed with Kat. As I am so far behind on my review reading, I was tempted to call it quits on this book and pass it along after reading a few chapters, but I decided to persevere. And you know what? The book did improve for me and I found myself sucked into the story. Not only that, I imagine that regular readers of Chick Lit will really enjoy The Popularity Rules.

Despite some obvious predictability with the storyline, Abby McDonald has produced a well-written, sharp, and at times amusing story of Kat's foray into popular circles. My issue with stories like this is that I find myself getting depressed and disappointed when characters act the way Kat and Lauren did. I like to think that people in general are better than they are portrayed to be in books that focus on popularity and how to find success. Maybe I am overly optimistic and give people too much credit, or perhaps it's because I personally have never been (or aimed to be) part of the popular, "in" crowd.

Bottom line: While it wasn't for me, I imagine Chick Lit fans (and fans of the movie Clueless, for that matter) will enjoy The Popularity Rules. There is also a web site for the book that you can check out! It will be released on September 24th in the UK. A special thanks to Ruth with Random House UK for sending me an advanced copy.

My rating:

If you have reviewed this book and would like me to include a link to your review, please leave a comment below!

Review: Ripley's Believe it Or Not: Seeing Is Believing

Title: Ripley's Believe it or Not! Seeing Is Believing
Genre: Nonfiction
Pub date: August 2009, Ripley's Entertainment
Harcover, 256 pages
Book Source: Advanced copy from the publisher

Synopsis

This all new 6th title in the best selling Ripley's Believe It or Not! annual series, is a compendium of incredible bizarre facts, stories, interviews and features all presented in a stunning bright new design.

This year's book also features icons that guide readers to astounding video clips on our new fully-integrated website, where they can see some of our subjects in action. Also, a dramatic eight-page gatefold section presents some extraordinary performers of the past, and additional black and white Ripley archive photographs feature throughout the book.

Be amazed at the dentist with no arms, the snake that swallowed a wallaby, an
underwater sculptor and a four-eared cat! For the legions of dedicated Ripley's fans, and anyone else on the planet who loves unbelievable facts and jaw-dropping images, the latest annual in this successful series is a feast of delights.

My Thoughts

What can I say about this book? I don't know about all of you, but I love reading facts and figures about all kinds of things, and that's what Ripley's Seeing Is Believing is all about. This is definitely not a book to absorb in one sitting--I rather think my head might have exploded, trying to absorb some of what I was seeing! Instead, I think this is a fun book to have sitting about to pick up and read passages at random. Reader beware: some of the tidbits are not for the faint of heart! (And that includes some of the pictures.) Here are some samplings of what you'll discover:

POISON LAKE: On August 21, 1986, a highly concentrated amount of carbon dioxide bubbled to the surface of Cameroon's Lake Nyos and suffocated 1,746 people and thousands of animals as far as 15 miles away.

AGE GAP: In 2006, 104-year-old Wook Kundor of Kuala Berang, Malaysia, married her 21st husband--a man 71 years younger than herself.

TIRE RIDE: A cat survived a two-and-a-half-hour truck journey by clinging onto a spare tire. Gil Smith drove 70 mi (113 km) from Gilbert, Arizona, to Kearny, unaware that his cat Bella had climbed onto the tire beneath his truck.

Crazy stuff, right? I thought this was a highly interesting and amusing book, and I'm looking forward to learning strange new facts every day!

My rating:



Other reviews of Ripley's Seeing Is Believing:

Charlotte's Library ~ 5 Minutes For Books ~ SMS Book Reviews

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Blood Promise

Title: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Paranormal

Pub Date: August 2009, Penguin Group

Hardcover, 502 pages

Book source: BN.com

Synopsis

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir's Academy was the deadliest ever in the school's history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He'd rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

My Thoughts

After finishing the third book in Mead's Vampire Academy series several weeks ago, I was really excited for Blood Promise. After finishing this fourth book, I can only say that I was rather disappointed with the turn the story has taken. However, I also know that I am most likely in the minority with this opinion.

I think my biggest issue is that everything just felt so predictable. In my usual fashion, I will try not to give away any plot lines or spoilers, but suffice it to say that Rose's quest to destroy Dmitri in his Strigoi form, her other discoveries along the way, and the ultimate outcome of events just felt so cliche and typical for a vampire romance that I found myself let down a bit from this series. Blood Promise definitely still has a page-turning quality that kept me reading, but I suspect at least some of that feeling was simply from the hope that the story would turn around and surprise me a little.

The other story line focused on Lissa but it felt like such an afterthought that I never found myself particularly interested when reading about it. Perhaps it was because Rose was not in the thick of things with her, but Lissa's own story seemed a little disjointed, as if it was added in to make sure we didn't forget about her. Finally towards the end of the book, everything started coming together more and making sense (not to mention finally getting more exciting). Ultimately, I think if the book had been even 100 pages shorter, it wouldn't have hurt the story too much and would have cut out some of the more draggy stretches. Now to be fair, there were several scenes and characters I enjoyed and thought really added to the story. We learn a lot more about spirit users in this book, as well. And the romantic in me does enjoy the possibilities that could come in book five, however much I might find that part of the story unsurprising. In the end, despite being a little disappointed with Blood Promise, I do intend to continue the series.

My rating:

Other reviews of Blood Promise:

Persnickety Snark ~ Tales of a Ravenous Reader ~ YA Reads

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf ~ Queen of Happy Endings

{Insert Book Title Here} ~ Bloody Bookaholic ~ The Book Blogger

Reality Bites... Fiction Does it Better!

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Review: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

Title: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
Author: Leanna Renee Hieber
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Gothic
Pub Date: August 2009, Dorchester Publishing Company
Mass Market Paperback, 324 pages
Book source: Received for review from the author (Many thanks!)

Synopsis

What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent-and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death...

My Thoughts

While I initially had some difficulty getting into this story, by the time I was a couple of chapters into it, I could not put the book down. Well, unfortunately, I did HAVE to, but I didn't WANT to. The title is so very appropriate, as well--this truly was a "strangely beautiful tale." There is no better way to describe it!

To begin, Hieber's writing is really quite lovely--she has a way with words that is enjoyable to read. There were frequently dialogues of subtle wit that I appreciated, and at many times the writing was lyrical. It may not always be consistent, but the writing is generally very good. Add to that a story that was ultimately gripping and fascinating, and I think you have an all-in-all great read. Here we have a paranormal story dealing more with visions and ghosts, coupled with a brewing romance that really spurred me along while reading. Honestly, I was probably more interested in how the romance would turn out than the rest of the story, and perhaps that's why I have to admit that I'm still not quite sure how the paranormal elements all managed to resolve themselves. I'm thinking a re-read will be in order sometime down the road.

I enjoyed the characters, though I did often get annoyed with Percy Parker's self-pity (to be fair, it was very in line with her character). In the end, however, she came into her own, much to my satisfaction. All of the members of The Guard (headed by Alexi) are unique and have their own personalities that tend to stand out. Overall, I thought Hieber developed and presented her characters very fittingly into the story. I think that lovers of mystery, the paranormal, or romance would enjoy this book. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is the first in a series, and I definitely look forward to reading the next story!

My rating:



Other reviews of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker:

Lurv a la Mode ~ Romance Book Wyrm ~ Stacy's Place on Earth
Darque Reviews ~ Babbling About Books, And More!
The Discriminating Fangirl ~ The Tome Traveller's Weblog

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Audiobook Review: A Wizard of Earthsea

Title: A Wizard of Earthsea
Author: Ursula K. LeGuin
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Pub Date: this ed. March 2003, Phoenix Books (orig. 1968)
Audiobook Source: iTunes

Synopsis

Ged was the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, but once he was called Sparrowhawk, a reckless youth, hungry for power and knowledge, who tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

My Thoughts

As strange as this may seem, I sought out a book by Ursula K. LeGuin because of one of those crazy online quizzes--this one in particular was supposed to determine which fantasy author's works I most "identified with." My result was Ursula K. LeGuin and I'm embarrassed to admit that I had never even heard of her until that moment. I stumbled across this audiobook on iTunes and figured it was the perfect opportunity to give LeGuin a try.

In the end I'm glad I did, and now I intend to try to get my hands on more of her books. LeGuin's start to the Earthsea series definitely has the feel of classic fantasy. This was the first time I had ever listened to a fantasy novel instead of reading it, and while I found it was a little more difficult to keep up with things at times, it was definitely enjoyable to listen to. This particular audio rendition must be fairly old--it sounded as if it was copied from an old recording and the reader sounded like a storyteller, as opposed to the perfect readings that you find on audiobooks today. It's hard to explain the difference, but it really did not sound as if the reader was reading straight from the book, and I found that to be a plus when listening.

As for the story, it is a bit of a different take on wizards and their quests. Ged's quest is not so much to save a world, as it seems is the case with so many fantasy books, but rather to clean up a "mess" that he made as a boy in training to become a wizard. Of course, along the way there are other side adventures and we watch Ged grow and mature through the years. The story is a bit dry, but the writing seemed fairly colorful and flowed nicely. All-in-all I thought it was a great example of fantasy literature and certainly a worthwhile read.

My rating:



If you have reviewed A Wizard of Earthsea and would like to see a link to your site listed here, please leave a comment with the permalink to your review!

Review: Catching Fire

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Fiction
Pub Date: September 2009, Scholastic, Inc.
Hardcover, 391 pages
Book Source: BN.com

Synopsis

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol--a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

My Thoughts

How shall I start except to say that I devoured this book today. While I haven't thoroughly read all of the reviews out there, not wanting to spoil the book for myself, I had seen mainly glowing reviews and a few dissenting opinions, as well.

All I can say is that for me, this book worked. In general, I didn't find the first person present tense to be too awkward, with a few exceptions. But what Collins does so successfully (in my opinion) is that she simply grabs you with the story and I just didn't want to put this book down. I thought the pacing was excellent and I never felt like the story was slow at any point--I was always trying to read as fast as I possibly could to find out what was going to happen next. The plot twists were thrilling and kept me at the edge of my seat.

And oh, these characters! Naturally, the primary focus is on Katniss and Peeta, but Collins also does a fine job with the supporting cast, in my opinion. From Gale, to Katniss's mother, to Haymitch, to the clueless citizens of the hated Capitol, Collins has created characters and a story that will stick with you long after you put the book down. Yes, the wait for book 3 (when's it due out?) may likely kill me, but I'll do my best to wait as patiently as possible. (The ever-growing TBR pile will probably help with that.) I can honestly say that I enjoyed Catching Fire just as much as I did The Hunger Games. In fact, reading Catching Fire may have gotten me out of the reading slump I feel like I've been in for awhile now--it seems to have lit a spark that makes me want to pick up another book already.

My rating:



Other reviews of Catching Fire:

Karin's Book Nook ~ My Friend Amy ~ Booking Mama
In Bed With Books ~ Reverie Book Reviews ~ Presenting Lenore
E. M. Reads ~ The Compulsive Reader ~ BoyWithBooks.com
Devourer of Books ~ Muse Book Reviews ~ Angieville
Wondrous Reads ~ Stephanie's Written Word ~ The Zen Leaf

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Dreamland

Title: Dreamland
Author: Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Pub Date: 2004, Speak
Trade Paperback, 250 pages
Book Source: Booksamillion.com

Synopsis

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

My Thoughts

Sarah Dessen has done it again. While Dreamland was certainly not my favorite of her books that I've read so far, I can appreciate why she is so popular with teens (and even those of us who are no longer teens) today. She has a knack for making you believe that you could be reading about people you know, which makes for a more interesting story in my opinion.

This is the "darkest" of Dessen's books that I've read, but I won't say why, for those of you who have not read this book yet, because I do think that would spoil your reading of the story for the first time. While I did feel like the characters in the story could have been people I once knew or know now, I did not feel much of a connection with any of them, and I think that's what ultimately kept me from liking this book as much as my "favorite so far" of hers, Just Listen. While there always seems to be a guy you'd fall for in these books, Rogerson was never that for me, and certainly not as the story developed.

Reading this book is certainly an eye-opener as to how a young girl's problems can go unnoticed by friends and family. As I've never experienced what Caitlin did, it's difficult for me to believe events could play out the way they did, but that seems very often to be the case with situations like Caitlin's. (Don't you hate how cryptic I'm being? Makes you want to read the book, doesn't it?) Dessen has brought to life a story that is rather heartbreaking to read, but I think I would have been more affected if I had cared more about the characters in the story. Even still, as always, Dessen's writing is just right for her target audience.

My rating:

Other reviews of Dreamland:

The Book Reader ~ Reverie Book Reviews ~ Reading Rants!
The Ravenous Reader ~ Just Your Typical Book Blog

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!