Impulsively readable, but the ending was kind of disappointing. I will definitely be reading the next book though because I want to see what comes nex...moreImpulsively readable, but the ending was kind of disappointing. I will definitely be reading the next book though because I want to see what comes next for Caleb and Maggie. (less)
I have this book to thank for pulling me out of a dreaded reading slump. It wasn't so much that the other book that I was reading (The Killer Angels)...moreI have this book to thank for pulling me out of a dreaded reading slump. It wasn't so much that the other book that I was reading (The Killer Angels) wasn't good (it was great), but more so that this kind of story was just what I had been craving.
I enjoyed John Flanagan's writing immensely, and it was very easy for me to get into this story. Although there was nothing outstandingly new or unique about it, this was still quite the engaging read. It wasn't the deepest or more complex plot I've ever read, but it was easy-to-read and entertaining. I think this would be an excellent book to recommend for younger readers. Being that this is the first book in a series, there is a good bit of setting up and introducing of characters, but I still found the pages flying by. I never felt bogged down by details, but there were just enough for me to be able to vividly picture everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this new world that Flanagan created for us.
My favorite part, as usual, was the cast of characters. They were engaging, and I felt something for them. That is what I had been missing, and that is what pulled me out of my slump. This is one of those casts of characters I know I won't soon forget, and I'm already itching to read the next book in the series to see what it entails for everyone! (less)
I read pretty much constantly as a child, so I'm not sure how I missed out on this one until now, but I'm seriously bumming about that. I would have l...moreI read pretty much constantly as a child, so I'm not sure how I missed out on this one until now, but I'm seriously bumming about that. I would have loved this as a kid.
It was such an imaginative story, and I can imagine that it's led many children over the years to wonder what was living in their houses with them. I especially loved that the way Mrs. May told the story of the Borrowers left the fact of their existence up to the reader. Those were my favorite kinds of stories as a kid. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with the movie Toy Story, and I was convinced that my toys came to life when I wasn't around. I can only imagine what I would have done with a story like this.
The characters were wonderful, too. There's nasty old Mrs. Driver, frantic Homily, steadfast Pod, and of course, Arriety. Arriety was, without a doubt, my favorite. She leaves a good example for children. She wants to get out and explore the world beyond her window, and in doing so, she makes herself all sorts of discoveries and even a new best friend.
There's not too much depth to this, but it is a children's story--and a romping good one at that! Kids will have a good time imagining life as a Borrower and wondering what might be under their floors. The British-isms make this a fun one to read out loud, too! (less)
What an adorable little book! I definitely need to find a copy of this. If you enjoy Beatrix Potter at all, you're sure to be enchanted by the illustr...moreWhat an adorable little book! I definitely need to find a copy of this. If you enjoy Beatrix Potter at all, you're sure to be enchanted by the illustrations in these pages. (less)
Although sometimes a little predictable and a bit like a Hallmark movie, I thought this was a heartwarming read and I enjoyed it a lot more than I tho...moreAlthough sometimes a little predictable and a bit like a Hallmark movie, I thought this was a heartwarming read and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I found myself caught up in the story and the characters, and this is just what I was in the mood for: something light but entertaining. (less)
Can I just start off by saying that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE books that have animal characters/narrators?! Like love so much that I want to hug and...moreCan I just start off by saying that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE books that have animal characters/narrators?! Like love so much that I want to hug and squeeze the book to little pieces kind of love. Yay anthropomorphism!
And yay for good characterization! Seriously, I loved the Swift River wolf pack. Even mean old Ruuqo. Hearst has a way of making her characters stand out even without giving in depth background for each and every one. Obviously, there is more development in some characters, like Kaala or Azzuen, than others, but as a reader, you still get a good sense of each character. Oddly enough, though, I felt that Hearst's wolf characters were more authentic and real than her human characters, but that could just be due to the fact that we are introduced to the humans much later in the story. Kaala was a perfect narrator. We watch as she struggles to fit in and find her place among her pack, but she is in no way a perfect wolf. She can be impulsive and selfish, but as she grows, it is also apparent that she is ridiculously loyal and determined to do what she believes is right.
Also, yay for authors who clearly research what they're writing about without being so blatantly obvious that they're beating you over the head with facts! I mean, Hearst knows her wolves, and it was really cool to read about the wolf culture that she created. She included general wolf behavior and let readers in on the rules and regulations of what it meant to be a Swift River wolf. I can't believe I'm about to use this comparison, but in much the same way that Harry Potter is introduced to the world of magic, we are introduced to the wolf pack via Kaala, who starts the story as a pup and slowly learns more and more as she grows older. None of it was tedious to read or show-off-y (yes, I just made up that word). It just flowed. I was surprised at how readable Hearst's writing is. It's beautiful. Seriously. Not too flowery, but not too simple. Just right.
As far as plot goes, there is a lot of setting up in this novel. It is part of a trilogy, so that's to be expected. I wouldn't necessarily call this fast-paced, but that's okay. The ending had me biting my nails, but for the most part, this book was spent introducing Kaala and what it means to be a wolf. The reader watches Kaala grow up, and I think that is definitely part of why I became so involved with these characters. I mentioned that this was part of a trilogy, but this in no way felt drastically open-ended like the trend seems to be these days. I was satisfied with this volume and the way it ended and yet I have just enough questions to keep me wanting to read the next one.
Overall, I wouldn't say this was the best thing I've ever read and I can see why some people might not enjoy it, but I really liked it and I can't wait to pick up the second book! (less)
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING, JUST GO READ IT RIGHT NOW.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I'm going to fill you in on Melina...moreHOLY MOTHER OF GOD THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING, JUST GO READ IT RIGHT NOW.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I'm going to fill you in on Melina Marchetta's Finnikin.
But seriously. Just take my word for it. Go read it.
Anyhow, for fans of epic fantasy, this is an astounding YA take on the genre. First of all, I love books with maps in them. I guess I should probably clarify that. I love when you open up a book and there are maps for a whole new world that you have never experienced. Granted, sometimes an author just doesn't quite get the world building right. But Marchetta nails it. By the time I wasn't even halfway through the book, I had a feel for where each kingdom was in relation to the others and what each kingdom was all about. It didn't take me long to be all "YEAH LUMATERE!" I was lost, completely lost in this book's pages as I read.
Marchetta's writing was enchanting. I felt like I was sitting around with a Lumateran scribe who was telling me about the history of her people. It wasn't too flowery, but it wasn't too light, either. It was just right. It was so beautiful, considering how dark the story could be from time to time. I would not recommend this for younger teens. It felt like an ancient fairy tale. And I felt so much. I felt so much for each of the characters. ESPECIALLY Evanjalin. But I even felt for the countless, nameless Lumateran exiles. I felt so much for a world that was dealing with some pretty dark days. A world that doesn't even exist. (Even thought I sort of wish it did).
There are a handful of characters in this book, and they were all well-written, but I just want to take a second to talk about the awesomeness that is Finnikin and Evanjalin. They are my very favorite kinds of heroes/heroines. They are both mostly good, but they are not without their flaws. Finnikin could be seriously so stubborn, I wanted to smack him upside the head. Evanjalin was impulsive half the time without explaining (or even forewarning) what she was going to do. But at the same time, Finnikin was so fiercely loyal and Evanjalin was just so strong. They were real. I thought about them and this book constantly when I wasn't reading it. Seriously. I work a mindless part-time job and usually the only thing on my mind is how much time I have left until I get to go home. While I was reading this, all I could think about was what was going to happen next. Even now, after having finished this roughly 24 hours ago and I'm still thinking about the characters. And I have to wait until NEXT March until Froi of the Exiles comes out in the U.S. Major sad news for this girl.
Also, WOO HOO for no insta-love. And a relationship that I swooned over.
AND that cover? Uh, hello beautiful. I usually prefer paperback editions of my books, but I may just have to go out and buy the hardcover edition of this.
I feel like I'm blundering my way through this review. So just trust me--this is a book that you need to read if you're a fan of fantasy. It's amazing. I promise. (less)
So, I may or may not be sitting here completely freaked out. Freaked out in a "if-you're-sneezing-or-coughing-GET-AWAY-FROM-ME-I-DON'T-WANT-YOUR-ZOMBI...moreSo, I may or may not be sitting here completely freaked out. Freaked out in a "if-you're-sneezing-or-coughing-GET-AWAY-FROM-ME-I-DON'T-WANT-YOUR-ZOMBIE-INFECTION" kind of way.
I picked this book up randomly from the store where I work, and once I came home and found out it was the second in a series, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I rarely buy books because of blurbs, but when Sarah Langan was compared to Stephen King, and Peter Straub himself recommended this, I was like heck yeah I'm reading this!
After reading the first paragraph of the prologue, I knew I was in for a good book. I think what surprised me the most was the fact that Sarah Langan really did remind me of Stephen King. Now, in my eyes at least, n one can come close to Uncle Steve. But I see potential in Langan. She doesn't quite have the literary finesse King does (i.e. I don't quite see brilliance here), but DAMN--girl can write!
The biggest similarity to King that I saw was in the way Langan wrote her characters. You're introduced to these characters, and within pages, you feel like you've known them your entire life. And they're real. Not everything is hunky dory in these characters' lives. They have their frustrations, their addictions, their skeletons, and their demons. Which brings me to another area where Langan reminded me of King--she doesn't shy away from the raw parts of life. She faces them head-on and says it like it is.
And can we talk about the creep factor? This whole book had me on the edge of my seat. I was so anxious. I even had nightmares the past two nights after reading this. Part of what is so creepy is that as a reader, you watch as the virus spreads from victim to victim. And you never really find out what these monster things are...besides pretty freaking evil. There was gore, but a tasteful amount. Enough to be gross, but it wasn't like a Saw movie. The creepiest part though was that Langan dared to cross the line between fiction and non-fiction, begging the question--is this just a story? Or could it actually happen?
Also, being worried about this being the second book? I had nothing to worry about. I wouldn't necessarily call this a sequel. Sure, it picks up where The Keeper left off, but I don't think you necessarily need to read that to understand this one. But now that I devoured (no pun intended, I swear) The Missing, I'm dying (no...really...no pun) to read The Keeper! (less)
Now, I may not be the most well-versed YA reader, but I loved this book! I cannot wait to pick up the next one!
In a YA world where there are a lot of...moreNow, I may not be the most well-versed YA reader, but I loved this book! I cannot wait to pick up the next one!
In a YA world where there are a lot of books with the same ideas running amok, it was nice to read something with an original plotline. I spent most of my time trying to figure out what was happening/what was going to happen, and surprisingly, most of my guesses turned out wrong! Yay for non-obvious mysteries! Not to mention that ever present need to keep reading! I love it when I'm reading and I don't want to stop because I need to know what is going to happen!
I also loved the characterization. It's not the best I've ever read, but I enjoyed getting to know what makes each of the characters tick. With that being said, I really enjoyed the way that Showalter set up this story. While there is clearly a main character, the story doesn't revolved strictly around Aden--there are several plotlines going on, but she doesn't let it become confusing.
While I really enjoyed this book, there are a couple things that kept me from giving this one 5 stars. First, while the story was memorable, the writing really wasn't. I don't think she's a bad writer, by any means--I'm just saying that it was pretty average for me. Also, I'm not a huge fan of books that end with huge gaping holes and questions unanswered due to the fact that a sequel/series is coming out. There are ways to keep a reader hanging onto your series without leaving a ton of questions up in the air. The last little thing that bothered me was that while I did compliment the characterization, I had a hard time distinguishing between the different souls in Aden's mind--Eve was fairly easy to tell apart, but the three guys didn't really have their own voices, or at least I didn't think they did.
Overall, though, I loved this book and I recommend it to fans of YA/paranormal YA looking for something a little different. I know I can't wait to read the second book and the third one comes out at the end of August! (less)
To be honest, I wasn't too sure about this for the first few chapters, but I ended up really enjoying The Squire's Tale, so I'm glad I stuck with it....moreTo be honest, I wasn't too sure about this for the first few chapters, but I ended up really enjoying The Squire's Tale, so I'm glad I stuck with it.
I am, by no means, an expert on Arthurian legend, but I feel like this is a good introduction to the tales of the Knights of the Round Table. Intended for younger readers, this is an entertaining and humorous read that can be amusing even for adults. Gerald Morris makes these Arthurian tales accessible, staying away from flowery or overbearing language while still maintaining that "storytelling" feel. Plus, like I mentioned, it's funny! Maybe not laugh-out-loud funny, but this has an undeniable Monty Python feel to it. (In particular, I thought of Monty Python during the scene where the two brother knights are fighting and threatening to kill each other even though neither can remember why they're fighting--I just kept thinking "It's just a flesh wound!")
The characters are a lot of fun, too. I especially liked Terence, but I usually am a fan of underdogs. We meet him living with a hermit in the woods, not knowing anything about his own background. By the end, Terence has grown and has come into his own. I'm looking forward to reading more of his tales as the series continues. Gawain was another favorite character of mine, and with him, there is a lot of character development. I liked that. Gerald Morris gives him some limelight in a world that tends to focus on Sir Lancelot. Both Terence's tale and Gawain's tale are left open-ended enough that I want to keep reading to see what adventures they meet.
Recommended for fans of Arthurian legends, adventure tales, and re-tellings, The Squire's Tale makes for a great read. (less)
I am very torn about reviewing this. I'm not quite sure what to say because this book really didn't do it for me, but I don't want to deter anyone fro...moreI am very torn about reviewing this. I'm not quite sure what to say because this book really didn't do it for me, but I don't want to deter anyone from reading this because I feel like it's a book most people--word lovers especially--will enjoy.
Frances Hardinge loves words, as much as her protagonist Mosca does, and that really shines through her prose. I love the way she writes, so much so that I want to try her other books even though this one didn't really do it for me. As you read, you just get the feeling that each and every sentence or phrase is delicately and thoughtfully crafted.
The story itself was fun, but there were times when I just couldn't stay interested. This tale really was a yarn, so it was entertaining to move from one plot twist to the next, and it kept the pages flying by. I think, for me, where I struggled with it was that there were so many layers to the story, and I kept having to stop and get the story/history/names/ideas sorted out in my head. Again, though, that seems to be just me, as countless others didn't have that problem.
I think the biggest thing for me, though was that I never felt any connection to any of the characters. I felt like I should have liked Mosca. I mean, she had pluck, she had daring, she loved words and books, and she even had a pet goose. In the end, though, I just didn't really like her. There were plenty of interesting characters (with awesome names, might I add), but I just didn't care about any of them. I felt like I could put the book down and not absolutely have to pick it back up.
But don't let my words hold you back from reading this. Like I said, I truly think most people would enjoy this. It just didn't click for me, unfortunately. (less)
Wow. Again, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have blown me away, and now I'm really counting down the days until Beautiful Chaos.
I had been waiting to...moreWow. Again, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have blown me away, and now I'm really counting down the days until Beautiful Chaos.
I had been waiting to read this since I finished Beautiful Creatures and I'm glad I finally got around to it. This time around, we get a deeper look into our favorite characters making this a more emotional read all around. Ethan and Lena have hit a bump in the road, so much of the time spent in this installment involves examining their relationship and what each of them are willing to do for each other. As someone who adores character development, I loved reading this one, and now I especially feel like I've known these characters forever.
I also really enjoyed how Kami and Margaret don't leave their readers hanging. It has been quite a while since I read Beautiful Creatures, so I was a little worried that this book would just jump into things and leave me behind in the dust. Never fear though--I never had that problem. At the same time, they did this so skillfully that I don't think it would be annoying to read this right after the first book. Sometimes, the beginnings of sequels are so mundane and repetitive that it takes like 50 pages to get into the actual story. Not in this case.
Above all, though, the writing is what takes the cake for me with this series. A lot of times, YA can come across as fluffy because of the writing style. Here we have a complex plot and stunning writing. Honestly, it reminds me of how everyone suggests the Harry Potter series for a well-written YA series. I adore the Gothic style. It's beautiful. Really, there's no other word for it.
And that ending?! Uh, hello, I need Beautiful Chaos like NOW! (less)
Okay, so this was a 3.5 for me. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I will say that it is a strong debut from M.J. Evans, nevertheless. Even t...moreOkay, so this was a 3.5 for me. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I will say that it is a strong debut from M.J. Evans, nevertheless. Even though I wasn't flying through the pages, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think it's important to slow down sometimes and just enjoy being transported to a different place, and Evans' first book definitely did that for me.
There were a lot of things that I really enjoyed about Behind the Mist. First and foremost, I have to say that I loved the emphasis Evans places on the power of love. Throughout the novel, love reigns, and it made me all warm and fuzzy and happy inside. It was really refreshing to see the good guys fight the bad guys with love instead of just fighting back with violence. I also enjoyed the other virtues that appear within these pages; off the top of my head, I remember that at one point, Nick has to learn patience and Jazz has to learn to acknowledge and embrace his own strengths. There are some great morals within this book that would lend themselves wonderfully to younger readers.
Going off of that thought, I liked how this was a clean and quaint fantasy. I could definitely recommend this to younger readers with no qualms.
Another thing that stood out to me about this novel was that you can really tell that Evans loves horses, and I especially loved that. There are times when a person is so passionate about something and you can just feel it in their words or what they say. Evans' passion absolutely shines through the pages, much in the same way that the power of love shines through Nick and Jazz. If you love horses, you will love this book, without a doubt.
The only problem I had with this book is that I wasn't quite sure of the audience. Nick is 17, but it read more like middle grade to me. Like I said before, this book is chock-full of morals that would speak nicely to a middle grade crowd, but would be overdone or preachy for YA. Plus, the writing itself seems more geared toward a younger audience. I kept thinking as I read this that it would be a good book for my 9-year-old brother to read because it would be something that he could understand easily. Now, this whole issue isn't too much of a problem. Once I had settled in and prepared myself for middle grade, the reading became much easier for me.
Not only that, but Evans picks up her stride as the story moves along. The writing becomes more confident, and the flow becomes more...well, flowing.
Overall, I am looking forward to book #2. There weren't any frustrating cliffhangers or any completely open-ended questions, but I was left wondering a few things. Like what's the deal with Portlas? And what is Hasbadana going to pull next? And I really want to see how Bethany develops. Besides that, I really enjoyed Nick and Jazz as a team, and I'll be looking forward to more!
Here's my thing with this book. I am really torn on whether I like it or not.
On the one hand, this was compulsively readable a...moreOkay, so maybe a 3.5...
Here's my thing with this book. I am really torn on whether I like it or not.
On the one hand, this was compulsively readable and I flew through the pages. There were times when I could feel the adrenaline pumping and I couldn't put the book down. Not only that, but I wanted to keep reading because I wanted desperately to know what was happening. The suspense is definitely there. As is the romantic tension. I'm going to come right out and say it--I loved Patch. He is hot. No doubt about it. But at the same time, kind of how I felt when I was reading Twilight, I think he's hot, but I'm also a 21-year-old with enough sense to recognize the fact that this book's version of love generally isn't how it works in real life. Like I said, I couldn't bring myself to hate this book only because I was entertained. But at the same time, I couldn't bring myself to love it because I had too many grievances with it.
First up--Nora. Sure, she's a little easier to take than Bella. I'll give her that. But at the same time, I got really deeply annoyed when she kept doing stupid things, like how you get annoyed watching a character do something stupid in a horror movie. Nora is the type of girl who would open the door if someone creepy was knocking. It's one thing to be like that now and then--I get it, she's a teenager and teenagers aren't exactly the most intelligent human beings. But after it happened time and again, it was frustrating. Like all of the times when Patch told her to stay put but she insisted on going out and seeing for herself and ending up in one bad situation after the next. Or like all of the times when she kept calling the police. For some reason, that really irked me. In a paranormal YA, even after Nora clearly knows what she's dealing with...did she really think the cops would come barging in like knights in shining armor to save the day? I don't know. It seemed too unbelievable to me.
It also bothered me that I never really got a picture in my mind of where this all was taking place. I'm not a fan of too much detail, but I think Fitzpatrick could have used a little more, only because I never really got a sense of setting. On the other hand, as I said before, I don't think her writing style was entirely bad, per se. I mean, I flew through the pages, so clearly something kept me there.
Overall, this wasn't a terrible book and it wasn't an amazing book for me. I'll most likely read Crescendo because I am curious about some of the unresolved plot twists in this and of course, because I would love to see more from Patch! (less)
Although an excellent end to the series, I'm quite distraught that my time with the Sisterhood has come to an end. Although, I want these books to kee...moreAlthough an excellent end to the series, I'm quite distraught that my time with the Sisterhood has come to an end. Although, I want these books to keep going and going, I liked how Ann Brashares ended this series. Enough was answered to satisfy me, and enough was left open-ended to allow my imagination to wander.
At this point in the series, if you've stuck with the girls, I feel like you've already decided whether you like Brashares style or not. I don't think she changes her style that much throughout the books, so I don't want to keep repeating the same things over and over in my reviews. Basically, these books are addicting, easy-to-read, and hard to put down.
So, I'll jump right into what I think about each of the girl's stories.
I'm going to start with Tibby because her story was my least favorite. I wanted to absolutely shake her. I could NOT handle her freak-out that took up 2/3 of the book. At first, I understood. But after the "worry" was over, I didn't like how she just shut down. Maybe I'm just too impatient or maybe I just can't relate to her character, but I just didn't like her in this one. I thought the end of her story wrapped up way too neatly, but then again, that doesn't bother me as much because I know that this series is a feel-good one and not necessarily realistic.
Next up on the list was Bridget because I was also really annoyed at her for about half of the novel. Until the big turn-around towards the end, it just didn't seem like Bridget had learned anything from the first book. However, I did appreciate her revelation. I also really enjoyed her interactions with her dad and her brother. It was nice to finally see something happen with her relationships with her immediate family, and while it was definitely a warm and fuzzy ending, it still seemed realistic without being overly schmaltzy.
I definitely enjoyed Lena's story. I loved hearing about her ventures in art school, and I LOVED Leo. I just wish their story had ended differently. And that's all I'm going to say about that because I don't want to spoil it. In other related Lena news, I was so happy to finally see her stand up for herself! She put her foot down with someone (it's really hard to write this review without spoiling it), and I jumped for joy! I also liked how the story with someone ended--it left just enough to the imagination without being a cheesy ending.
By far, though, my favorite story out of this one was Carmen's. I loved how she went on a journey of sorts to find herself. I liked how she had to figure out who she was outside of the context of the Sisterhood. I liked that she had to learn what constitutes a good friend. Oh, I just loved it. Maybe it's just because being a college senior myself, I remember my freshman woes about discovering who I was all too well. Carmen's search for identity is something everyone goes through at one point or another, moreso than any of the other stories, which makes it more relatable and more enjoyable all around.
As far as the ending of the series goes, I think Brashares ended it the only way she could. The lesson that the Pants teach the girls is one that everyone has to learn at one time or another, and I appreciated that she wrote this lesson without preaching. This whole series is a great one to remind the reader about the importance of appreciating our friends and family. It's so addicting, too, and honestly, if it weren't for having mountains of homework, I would have read this series in a number of days, rather than weeks. I highly recommend to those who like girly, feel-good stories about groups of friends. (less)
When reading book after book in a series, it's a little difficult to review each individual book without seeming too repetitive. If you're a fan of th...moreWhen reading book after book in a series, it's a little difficult to review each individual book without seeming too repetitive. If you're a fan of the series, you'll be sure to enjoy this installment, as well.
Even though my favorite is still the second one, Ann Brashares really shows her writing chops in this one. She reaches out and explores the use of language and emotions, instead of just "This happened. So-and-so reacted this way. So-and-so number two said this." This is not to say that I think this series is poorly written. I think this is one of the better YA series out there, and let's face it, these books are addicting.
These books are so addicting because of the girls. I don't know about any other readers out there, but I am so invested in these girls that they seem like real, live people. If I had to pick, I think Carmen's storyline was my favorite this time around. We see a lot of growth in Carmen this time around, which I loved. At first, I thought we were going to see the same whiny Carmen storyline. Don't get me wrong, I love Carmen, and besides Lena, she's the one I relate to the most. But the whole getting mad and jealous over your parents storyline was already done in the first two books. So it was great to see Carmen really grow up and accept just who she is. I also thought Tibby's storyline was great and for the same reason as Carmen. She comes to terms with her feelings about her siblings and Brian, and we really just see a lot of emotional growth. I liked to see Lena focusing on her career and on her future rather than a guy, since that's all we've really seen of her so far. And of course, Bridget. I loved it. It was great to see how the growth in the last book affect her interaction with her fellow coach (no spoilers!) and really just show how different she is from the Bridget in the first book.
Overall, this was a good addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series ends and what happens to my favorite girls. (less)
Really, to be fair, I'd have to give this a 3.5. I liked it, I really did, but I'm not raving about it. As a collection of three novels that exist as...moreReally, to be fair, I'd have to give this a 3.5. I liked it, I really did, but I'm not raving about it. As a collection of three novels that exist as a quasi-series, I'm just going to talk a little bit about each of them.
The Christmas Box
I've already reviewed the first novel, The Christmas Box before, and I feel like it sums up my feelings pretty well, so I'm gonna do a little bit of copy & paste here.
"Usually, I'm not the type of person to cry over books. If I read something particularly sad, I usually end up sad for a little while, and then I'm over it. I'm not quite sure what it was about this book--but I ended up in tears. Sure, the ending was sad, but it was beautiful, as well. I have a younger brother, so the message that Mary was trying to make really hit home for me--about loving what we have because we don't know how much longer we'll have it. It's so true that oftentimes, everyone gets caught up in the Christmas season and forgets what it is truly about--our Father giving up His only Son so that we may be forgiven and loved ourselves. I really believe that people should read this little book (it's not very long) every year around this time, just as a touching reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. I know that I will."
NOTE: I read it again this year. And I cried. Again. There's just something about this story that gets to me. Now having read the other books, I can definitely say that The Christmas Box is the most powerful and moving. Evans really shines with this story, and I still recommend it for a great Christmas read.
Timepiece
I really thought this story was so sweet. I enjoyed watching MaryAnne and David fall in love and start a family together, and I started tearing up at the Richard-Jenna storyline (mostly because I'm a daddy's girl). Despite going into the story knowing what we know about Andrea from the first book, the build up and the actual event are still very devastating. My only complaint about this story is that it wasn't really a Christmas story! But that was my own expectation at fault, so I can't really blame Evans.
For those who haven't read anything by Evans, he's kind of like Nicholas Sparks, except with depth. I don't think that he's as "fluffy" as Sparks, but they are comparable on that heartwarming-storyteller level, so you have to be prepared to read that kind of story.
The Letter
This is the sequel to Timepiece, but still a prequel to The Christmas Box...if that makes any sense.
I'm torn about this one. On one hand, there were many things I enjoyed about it. I'll start with those. I really liked seeing things from David's perspective. In Timepiece, we really got to see MaryAnne's side of grief, and in this one, we get to follow David. Not in first-person, mind you, but it was still nice to see what David was going through. I also liked the layers to this one. I still don't know which letter lends itself to the title...maybe one, maybe all. But I liked that all of these plot lines evolved around an array of letters.
At the same time, the many layers to the story made it feel like there was too much going on at times. I don't want to say too much about them because I don't want to give anything away. There were times as I was reading when I'd be reading about one plot line and wondering about what happened to another. It's not so much that it was complicated, just a little too busy, which in turn led to being less believable. Also...not a Christmas story. I don't know why that bugged me so much--maybe it was just that since this was a 3-in-1 edition, I was expecting Christmas to play at least a part in the stories. Once again, that's where my expectations were at fault.
Overall, I still really love The Christmas Box, and I think Evans can tell a good story. The other two novels aren't necessary for readers of The Christmas Box, but they do add an interesting background to the characters that we see. For fans of Richard Paul Evans, I definitely recommend this collection. For those who aren't fans or who are still skeptical, I recommend just reading The Christmas Box and skipping this edition. (less)
LORD MACCON--how I love thee, let me count the ways!
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I will say that if this book is any indication of how m...moreLORD MACCON--how I love thee, let me count the ways!
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I will say that if this book is any indication of how my 2012 reading years is going to be--I'm going to have an awesome year.
There were so many things I loved about this book. First of all, Gail Carriger builds a phenomenally well-thought out supernatural world that parallels Victorian England. She really covers all her bases. This supernatural world has rules and structure--it puts other vampire/werewolf stories to shame. *ahem*
Her writing itself was a lot of fun to read, as well. Imagine Jane Austen with a bit of a modern twist. Gail's writing took a good story and gave it substance. This is, by no means, a serious book, but at no point did I feel like I was reading fluff. She really blended genres well, too. There was a little bit of everything here: historical fantasy, paranormal, steampunk, horror, suspense, romance. This being my first foray into the steampunk genre, I was pleasantly surprised, and I'll definitely be looking for more from the genre.
As if all that weren't enough, Soulless has an unforgettable cast of characters. Alexia, of course, is totally kickbutt. She is a beacon of Victorian propriety and decorum, but she is also completely independent and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. I loved that she would rather be alone and be considered a spinster than settle for someone with half her wit or someone who wouldn't view her as an equal. Lord Akeldama was another favorite character of mine--freakin' fabulous. Gotta give some props to Professor Lyall. I loved that at times it was like he was the only character acting with a level head. And Lord Maccon? Do I even need to go there? Totally hot. Totally Scottish. And totally perfect for Alexia. (And me, but that's besides the point). I'm telling you, I could see the steam rising from some of those pages! It probably didn't help that I was picturing him as Jamie Dornan, aka Sheriff Graham from Once Upon a Time. Gail Carriger even does her villians well. I hated them all with a deep burning hatred, when it was Alexia's mom or the mysterious shadow man or the creepy wax man. That's when you know you have a good author on your hands.
If you want a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, tug on your heartstrings or make you fan yourself from all the steam, you will find it here in Gail Carriger's Soulless. I can't wait to start Changeless! (less)
I read the Amber Brown books obsessively when I was younger. I found this one lurking on my bookshelf and thought I'd re-visit it.
There isn't much to...moreI read the Amber Brown books obsessively when I was younger. I found this one lurking on my bookshelf and thought I'd re-visit it.
There isn't much to say about this one besides the fact that I can see why I loved this. Amber Brown is a hilarious little girl. Paula Danziger really nails the mentality of a fourth-grade-girl.
I also enjoyed how real issues were discussed without being too heavy and without being too preachy. Because, let's face it, that stuff goes right over the heads of younger kids. In that sense, Paula Danziger gets her message across to her target audience in the appropriate manner.
Overall, an enjoyable book for younger audiences. I loved it then, and I still love it now. (less)
A nice end to the series, The Reckoning wraps up all of the open-ended questions left by the other books in the trilogy.
I liked this book better than...moreA nice end to the series, The Reckoning wraps up all of the open-ended questions left by the other books in the trilogy.
I liked this book better than the second, but less than the first. Really, though, I'm glad to have finished this series so that I can move on to more substantial reading. These books are nice comfort reads, but there isn't really much more to them than that. I'm sure many who read these books take much from the religious parts, but as I'm not a hugely religious person, they were just heartwarming tidbits to read.
For the first half of this, Katherine/Katie really got on my nerves. I put this down for two days because of it. She just seemed rather snotty and ungrateful, despite the fact that she lives in a frickin' mansion with servants to wait on her every whim. By the end though, I was warmed back up to her, and I'm glad her story ended the way it did. It was very fitting for her character.
The plot wasn't much in this one, but I don't think this series was meant to be page-turning. A little predictable, but still enjoyable.
Overall, I did enjoy this final book, but I'm glad that there aren't any more of these to read. (less)
This one ranged between a 4 and a 3 for me. The ending was definitely a 4, but for most of the book, I kept thinking about how I liked the first book...moreThis one ranged between a 4 and a 3 for me. The ending was definitely a 4, but for most of the book, I kept thinking about how I liked the first book better, so I'm going to stick with the 3.
Once again, this isn't a literary masterpiece of a book, but I did enjoy it. Beverly Lewis tells the sweet kind of story that you would see on Lifetime or Hallmark (I'm on a roll with these books lately), so even though they're not very deep, they're enough to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
Once again, I enjoyed the characters, and I enjoyed following Katie's story. I said that I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first, but that is only because there is less of the Amish culture in this one versus The Shunning. Sure, many of the characters from Hickory Hollow are still here, but the story is less focused on them and moreso on Katie's trip to New York. (A side note on the characters: did Rebecca bother anyone else in this book? I wasn't really sure how to take the whole "losing her mind" thing. It didn't seem to go very well with the story.)
The plot in this installment seemed to take longer to flesh out. Most of the book is spent caught up in the deception (don't want to spoil it), and Katie doesn't actually meet her mother until the end of the story. It was fun to read along and see if they would figure out who the impostor was, but after so long, I was surprised that no one had figured out the obvious yet. I didn't dwell on that too much though because I knew this would be a predictable story, and knowing that going into it helped make it that much more enjoyable.
To be honest, I didn't even think that I would continue on with the last book until the last 30 or so pages. I'm dying to finish Katie's story and see what happens next.
While not the most literary stories I've read, I've enjoyed them and they've been just the amount of fluff that I've been needing. (less)
Okay, so this book definitely freaked me out. I don't know if it's just because of the wacky weather we've had so far this year, but the events of thi...moreOkay, so this book definitely freaked me out. I don't know if it's just because of the wacky weather we've had so far this year, but the events of this book seem completely and utterly possible.
The fact that this book is so realistic is what makes it so good. The after effects from the moon being knocked out of orbit are completely plausible, and it made me all too aware of how much we take for granted. Simple things like electricity and running water. Being able to go to the store if we need something. It freaked me out because, to put it plainly, I would suck at surviving.
Another thing that I found to be realistic was Miranda's voice. The diary thing worked for me, as a whole. There were a couple things I didn't buy, like who really writes dialogue in a diary? But I understand that things like that have to be taken with a grain of salt because they are necessary for the book to work. And to tell the truth, it didn't really bug me all that much. I was too busy being freaked out about how much food we have in our house. I thought Miranda was really authentic, though. What 16-year-old doesn't have their vulnerable or whiny or selfish points? What 16-year-old wouldn't rather be ice skating than sitting in a sunroom reading a history textbook? Especially when the world is ending! I also liked how even though I would have liked to know what was happening in the rest of the world, we couldn't know because Miranda herself couldn't know. Hopefully, we'll see more in subsequent books.
This was compulsively readable for me, and I probably would have read it all at once if I wouldn't have stopped myself. I had this utter need to know what was going to happen and how it was going to end. I will definitely be reading books 2 and 3 to find out! (less)
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