Apparently this kind of action/thriller just isn't my thing. There were many times I felt like I was listening to a Dante-esque version of The Amaz...more3.5
Apparently this kind of action/thriller just isn't my thing. There were many times I felt like I was listening to a Dante-esque version of The Amazing Race (a TV show where contestants find clues that take them running frantically all over the world completing seemingly irrelevant tasks to get to the next clue.) Much of the action just confused and/or bored me. The plot was fascinating and the way the problem of over population was used in context with Dante's vision of Hell was definitely interesting. But Inferno repeatedly lost me in the erratic race from clue to clue.
What really grabbed me about the story was the plausibility of a situation like the one described. Overpopulation is definitely a relevant issue today and many statistics online verify some of what was proposed in Inferno (I know this because I stopped reading to Google these statistics, this alone tells you how intriguing this book was.) It is terrifying to imagine what the wrong kind of scientist could release into the world in the hope of solving the population problem.
The story was resolved in a way that I honestly didn't see coming. I am not scientifically inclined so I have no idea if what was being suggested is even possible, but it seemed logically sound and gave me something to think about and will likely spark a lively discussion with the best friend once she finishes reading it.
The scenery was awesome! One thing that I enjoy about Dan Brown's books is that it explores many of the places that I would so love to go. That part of this story took place in the Hagia Sophia and in and around Istanbul made me quite happy! I hope that one day he writes a story that explores more of the art and history of Istanbul, there would certainly be enough material to work with as that whole area has such cultural significance. So, location was definitely a win in this story.
The aspects that didn't work as well for me were the action sequences and the suspense surrounding the good guys and villains. Also, some of the twists were just too farfetched at times and there was so much running around that I often lost the thread of the story and found myself wondering what in the world Robert Langdon was even trying to accomplish. I will say that Langdon is much more committed to that type of chaos than I could ever be. I would have checked out the Hagia Sophia, wished everyone the best of luck, and went the hell home.
The characters were okay. I didn't feel any significant connection with any of them but that could be because I never knew who was telling the truth. It was like a whole bunch of Snapes running around causing havoc and I wasn't sure why(Harry Potter reference) Several had compelling background stories but I had no idea if they were even the truth or was part of some super secret false identity.
Ultimately, it was worth the read and presented topics that were worth thinking about. I suppose Dante would be somewhat pleased that he was featured in a book likely to become a blockbuster summer movie, but he might also have wished that it had been written by someone with a bit more literary style and finesse. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The DaVinci Code or who likes gratuitous action and chaos in their thrillers.(less)
I definitely recommend listening to the audio of Cloud Atlas. Not only is this performance audio narrated beautifully, it also accentuates the outstan...moreI definitely recommend listening to the audio of Cloud Atlas. Not only is this performance audio narrated beautifully, it also accentuates the outstanding writing. I can't express enough how brilliant I found the writing to be, but I think that had I been reading this in print, I may have found it to be a bit overwhelming at times and I may have even lost the thread of the story in focusing so much on the phrasing. I cannot wait to see this movie, the trailer I watched looked amazing. (less)
Amelia Anne is dead and gone but she apparently left behind her thesaurus because her story was quite adjective-alicious. But, once I waded through th...moreAmelia Anne is dead and gone but she apparently left behind her thesaurus because her story was quite adjective-alicious. But, once I waded through the overabundance of metaphors and descriptive prose, it was a fairly ok read....until the last 30 or so pages. That ending was bullshit. I was so angry about the fact that I had been drawn in to the suspense of this murder/mystery only to be rewarded with some half ass muddle-muck of an ending. Not to mention that it just WOULD NOT, COULD NOT logically have happened that way.
(view spoiler)[ If someone is beat in the head with a tire iron and then repeatedly bludgeoned around the face and body, I refuse to believe they would be coherent enough to correctly analyze the extent of their injuries enough to know they are dying and then request that a complete stranger that suddenly appears out of the bushes on a dark road in the middle of the night finish the job and kill them. There is NO WAY IN HELL that, once he confesses to killing her (and explains that it was at her request), hiding evidence, interfering with and investigation, etc, the state would give him only probation for it after deciding that she would have died in another hour anyway. I'm sure SOMEBODY would have suggested that perhaps calling an ambulance might have been a better choice in the situation. Even with our screwy justice system, this could not have possibly played out like this. I know of a girl in the town where I grew up who went to PRISON for 3 years for taking her car to a car wash the day after her husband murdered someone. And she had nothing to do with the actual murder but her ass was still charged with accessory after the fact or some such thing. So it's just not a plausible or even a logical ending (hide spoiler)]
This less than perfect ending, the overly descriptive writing, and the fact that I found the main character, Becca, to be utterly unlikable, left me a rather grumpy reader after finishing this book. I guess one could look at it as Becca was a "flawed" main character, but I just thought she was nothing but angst and asshattery. This is an example of some of her "personality"
"Rebecca Williams?" "That's me," I said, hoisting my backpack. The fat girl-whose named turned out to be, hilariously, Bonnie Biggs-smiled and waved at me.
Ugh. Needless to say, I did not enjoy Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone and certainly don't recommend it. However, there are other people who thought that this was a wonderful story and if you're at all curious about this book, take a look at Wendy's review here for another perspective.
Raziel By Kristina Douglas was much better than I had expected. I usually don't have much luck with books about angels, with the exception of Angelfal...moreRaziel By Kristina Douglas was much better than I had expected. I usually don't have much luck with books about angels, with the exception of Angelfall and now Raziel, apparently winged hotties are just not my thing. There were some elements of this book that reminded me of Angelfall which I LOVED, and which initially drew my interest in reading this book. Raziel is definitely for adults and has some pretty detailed erotic scenes which I was so happy to find were not overdone and cheesy as in so many adult books (I thought they were actually quite well done).
The main character, Allie's new and uncomfortable shoes distract her to the point that she doesn't notice the huge bus bearing down on her until it is too late and she finds herself standing next to what must be an angel? demon? vampire? He informs her that she is dead and he is there to escort her to heaven. This doesn't work out exactly the way Raziel, her fallen angel escort, has planned, however, and now he has to explain to the other Fallen why he has brought this human woman to Sheol to live among them. Allie would like an explanation about this as well because she's not really sure what she's doing living among these terrifying, grumpy, gorgeous creatures but she's fairly certain she doesn't quite fit in. Meanwhile, the Nephilim are at the gates and if they break through, it will certainly be a bloodbath.
While there were some parts that were almost painfully slow, Raziel was still an satisfyingly entertaining read. I guess I like my angels to be more the dark, apocalyptic, dangerous type instead of all goodness and light. The background of the Fallen and their ongoing conflict with Uriel and search for Lucifer was original and one of the most interesting parts of the story. I'm looking forward to learning where the author takes it in the sequel because the ending left a lot of unanswered questions. This is certainly a series I'd recommend for fans of the genre. (less)
I am rating this a 3, but I have to say that I was so annoyed with the ending that I almost wanted to rate this a 1. I usually stay away from anything...moreI am rating this a 3, but I have to say that I was so annoyed with the ending that I almost wanted to rate this a 1. I usually stay away from anything labeled as "chick lit" and unfortunately, much of this book was exactly what I automatically mentally think about when I hear the words "chick lit". It took a perfectly good plot and then ruined it with unnecessary sub-plots and an over the top, soap opera worthy ending that was beyond absurd. Throughout this incredibly long 21 hour audio, I thought several times that this should have been two separate stories, one revolving around Peter and the school shooting, and to a lesser extent, Josie. And another story entirely about the Judge and her issues. It was just too much to put all of them together. As a reader of fantasy, I think that I can suspend disbelief and give the benefit of the doubt possibly even more than some other readers, but the coincidences in Nineteen Minutes pushed far beyond my bounds of believability and into the realms of absurd and by the end I no longer even cared about these characters.
I will say that this book did spark an entertaining debate between myself and my best friend about my apparent strong opinions concerning parental responsibility and culpability for their children's actions in extreme incidents like a school shooting. I didn't agree with much of the book's stance that a perfectly good parent can raise a school shooter, although I didn't see Peter's parents in the book as being particularly good parents. And regardless how well meaning a parent is, if your kid takes a duffel bag full of weapons to school and starts shooting people, you fucked up. Period. And in my opinion, you should be held criminally responsible for that. One of the things I enjoyed about Nineteen Minutes is that it did generate that gut response from me and cause me to examine how strongly I feel about those issues. This is why I cannot rate it lower than a 3 even though there were so many things I didn't like about the length, unnecessary sub-plots, lack of subtlety, etc. Even despite all of this, the book kept me engaged right up until that ridiculous ending.
Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend Nineteen Minutes, I'm sure there has to be a better, less over-dramatized book with this subject matter. I feel like the topic of school shooting is sufficiently dramatic and emotional without needing to add more to it. It ended up feeling forced, fake, and was in the end, disappointing. (less)
Assassin nuns, death's handmaidens, and a historical setting sounds like it would be a complete win for me. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling a bit "m...moreAssassin nuns, death's handmaidens, and a historical setting sounds like it would be a complete win for me. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling a bit "meh" about it. I mean, Ismae, the MC, is definitely one bad-ass heroine who is quick to stick a knife in someone (or crossbow bolt, or poison, or anything else really). But the political intrigue in this story was tedious and I found myself bored a few times and contemplating moving on to a different book. Ultimately I liked Grave Mercy, it held my interest enough to finish it and while the background characters were a bit thin and the plot tedious, I definitely enjoyed the main character and the slow building romance. (less)
I have read so many glowing reviews of The Reapers are the Angels that I simply had to see what all the fuss was about and even though I was warned ah...moreI have read so many glowing reviews of The Reapers are the Angels that I simply had to see what all the fuss was about and even though I was warned ahead of time about the bloody bits, I still wanted to read this. I decided to listen to this on audio and I think the narrator did an amazing job giving voice to the conflicted and unique character that was Temple. I would certainly recommend this audio to anyone who is planning to read this.
Temple was an intriguing character, so full of contrasts, she was kind and considerate but with the capacity to become extremely violent if provoked which made sense considering the dangerous world she grew up in. She was also extremely intelligent, logical, and self-aware but at the same time illiterate and simplistic in many ways. Her character fascinated me and reminded me, in a lot of ways, of Saba from Blood Red Road except Temple was much more complex. I was fascinated with the way she accepted the world for what it was and did her best to work within it instead of fight against what she could not control. I have to say, Temple is one of the most interesting characters I’ve read.
The writing was vividly descriptive and unapologetically raw. It brought to life a bleak and desolate world overrun by the undead who were themselves more pathetic and sad than scary. The pockets of survivors that Temple came upon showed the best and worst of humanity. It was interesting to see the many ways that desperation and hopelessness may cause people to react. There were some people and situations that pushed the boundaries of believability, even for a zombie book but for the most part, I could realistically imagine that this is what the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse would look like.
For some reason, I felt really disconnected from the story. I’m not sure whether it was the third person narration or the philosophical and highly allegorical way this was written, but while I could pick out a hundred beautifully phrased quotes, I was never truly engaged in the story. At times I felt that the writing was almost a bit pretentious and that it tried so hard to be literature as opposed to genre fiction that it overreached and ended up just being absurd. Or it could simply be that I am more interested in being entertained by a story than in trying to ponder life’s mysteries or decipher allegory.
I definitely enjoyed listening to The Reapers are the Angels and, while it wasn’t really my thing, I can certainly see where other people would appreciate the writing style and depth. (less)
Definitely didn't like this as much as Feed. The last 3 hours of the audio were the best of the entire book and I'm glad I stuck with it when I was re...moreDefinitely didn't like this as much as Feed. The last 3 hours of the audio were the best of the entire book and I'm glad I stuck with it when I was ready to put it down in frustration. Full review soon.(less)
When I requested The Way We Fall from NetGalley, I was under the assumption that this was another dystopian or post-apocalyptic read, this is not exac...moreWhen I requested The Way We Fall from NetGalley, I was under the assumption that this was another dystopian or post-apocalyptic read, this is not exactly the case. The Way We Fall is set on an island that is quarantined because of an outbreak of a dangerous flu-like virus that is killing people. It is never made clear whether this virus is world-wide or confined only to this island so I don’t know that I would describe this as either dystopian or post-apocalyptic. However, this is just the first book in what I assume will be a series, perhaps this will change in subsequent books.
With that being said, I came to really enjoy The Way We Fall. The book starts off a bit slowish and it wasn’t until almost halfway in that I really became engaged in the story. The story unfolds through a series of letters that is being written by the main character Kaelyn to a boy named Leo. It isn’t explained until much further into the book exactly who Leo is and what his significance is in Kaelyn’s life. Other than a few instances of Kaelyn mentioning Leo’s name, The Way We Fall simply reads like any other first person narrative. Kaelyn describes herself as a bit of a loner who has a difficult time making friends. Many people seem to view her as snobbish or stand offish and she makes a couple attempts to break out of her shyness a bit. During the upheaval caused by this virus, she finds herself thrown into the company of people who she had barely ever exchanged words with previously as the community tries to pull together to make sense out of the chaos. Her character learns and grows throughout the story, coming to some realizations about herself and others and changing the way she thinks and perceives the world because of it.
As far as the virus itself, there isn't any real scientific explanation about the nature of this virus or any real research into the cause and cure. It's just basically this teenage girls viewpoint of the outbreak.
The romance happens a little fast, but for me it was still pretty much believable. I think that it is realistic to expect that two teenagers who may not have crossed paths before, finding themselves thrown together in a situation like this might be drawn to each other in this way. I will say there are no declarations of undying love and inability to live, breathe or otherwise function without the other, which is refreshing. I liked all of the supporting characters, Kaelyn’s mom, dad, brother, romantic interest, and friend; but I think that they were a bit one dimensional. I would have liked to have seen some more depth to them, although I recognize that this may have been difficult when I was only viewing the story via Kaelyn’s perspective through letters to her friend.
I definitely did NOT like the way it ended. I was so frustrated by the many unanswered questions and the fact that absolutely nothing seemed to be resolved by that ending. I’m not a big fan of cliffhanger endings and I feel like a story has to have at least some resolution by the end even if the story will continue.
Overall, I think that The Way We Fall is a solid and enjoyable read by Megan Crewe and I’ll be interested in seeing where she goes with the story in the next installment. I would recommend The Way We Fall to any fans of YA, Realistic Fiction, or Medical related fiction.(less)
This was an interesting twist on banshees and fae. I really enjoyed it. There were some of the things that are cliche in YA fantasy fiction, but overa...moreThis was an interesting twist on banshees and fae. I really enjoyed it. There were some of the things that are cliche in YA fantasy fiction, but overall I thought it was a fun and entertaining read. I'll probably read the rest of the series. (less)
Kate Rudd did a phenomenal, outstanding job narrating this highly emotional read. Considering the subject matter and the emotionally charged nature of...moreKate Rudd did a phenomenal, outstanding job narrating this highly emotional read. Considering the subject matter and the emotionally charged nature of this book, it would have been so easy to overdo the narration. But Kate Rudd’s performance was perfection, bringing to life these amazing characters and telling this heart-wrenching story so naturally that it was as if I was listening to Hazels private thoughts. And yes, I could still recognize a great narration even when I don’t know how I heard anything over the sobbing mess I was reduced to throughout this book. I highly recommend this audiobook experience to anyone that is interested in reading this book.
The story itself, well, I mean its John Green so of course it was amazing. I love this man’s writing. It’s like he effortlessly creates these wonderfully realistic characters; characters that I’d want to know, that I’d want to become friends with. And by the end of the book, I feel like I DO know them and that we’ve been friends forever and I’m so emotionally entwined in the story that its actually difficult to move on to another book when it is over. I felt like that with Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and I certainly feel like that with this incredible book.
I don’t know that there are many of us whose lives have not been touched in some way by cancer, but even if it hasn’t, almost everybody has lost a loved one too early and has felt the utter unfairness of that loss. The Fault in Our Stars is the story of several kids suffering from cancer and is told from their perspective. It is unapologetically and brutally honest, morbidly humorous, simply just real. This book was so filled with unfiltered truth that it was almost uncomfortable to read in some places. But I still recommend that you do.
By the end of this book, I had cried so many tears that the front of my shirt was wet, and days later I’m still tearing up as I recall the story while I write this review. The Fault in Our stars was a powerful, emotionally intense, and incredibly important read. I highly recommend it to anyone regardless of genre. (less)
I really wanted to like this book. It had all of the elements that I am drawn to - it's dark, it takes place in the afterlife, there's murder and haun...moreI really wanted to like this book. It had all of the elements that I am drawn to - it's dark, it takes place in the afterlife, there's murder and haunting involved etc. However, the inconsistencies within the story itself quickly disabused me of the notion that I was going to love Velveteen.
Velveteen begins with Velvet, the main character, entering the home of the serial killer who brutally mutilated and murdered her. She is determined to haunt him in order to save any others from becoming his victim, even though it is against the rules of the purgatory in which she now resides.
Upon her return to Purgatory, a shadow quake rocks Purgatory's foundation and tendrils of shadow creep out to ensnare any soul it can grab and force them to envision their worst fears, traumatizing the trapped soul. Velvet and her group of salvagers must return to reality and find the dark magic that is causing the shadow quake.
So there are two very different things going on at the beginning of Velveteen, both scenarios drew me into the story initially. However, it quickly became apparent that there were some glaring inconsistencies. For example, while this is clearly a young adult book, I would think that the subject matter of serial murder and mutilation resulting in death would be better suited for older young adult readers, but then some of the silly and childish things that occur and the loose way the story is written in places almost feels like a middle grade book. But then, even this isn’t consistent. The writing style is quite odd, it almost felt like 2 different people were writing this the way the styles changed. The story certainly did not flow at an even pace and it took me a long time to finish as I kept setting the book down in frustration.
I also had a problem with the fact that Velveteen did not go in the direction promised by both the synopsis and the beginning sequence of this book. I was sorely disappointed to find that this story is less about her haunting of a serial killer and more about some disgruntled inhabitants of Purgatory called the Departurists and their wish to break free and wreak havoc. Now, I know sometimes a book goes in a different direction than it first promises, and very often that can work. Unfortunately for Velveteen, the direction the story takes with the Departurists leads only to a dead end. It doesn't go anywhere remotely interesting and there is no explanation or resolution that makes any kind of sense. I was very disappointed with this book. I think even more so because I had been so looking forward to it. I'm rating this 2 stars instead of 1 simply because I really did enjoy the beginning. (less)
The Walking Dead Rise of the Governor is a story about survival in a world that has lost all semblance of civilization and one man’s journey as he bec...moreThe Walking Dead Rise of the Governor is a story about survival in a world that has lost all semblance of civilization and one man’s journey as he becomes what some would consider a diabolical madman. The zombie apocalypse is happening and pockets of survivors are doing what they need to do to exist amidst all the carnage. One man in particular, along with his brother, daughter, and a few friends have found themselves in a suburbia gone mad and may find themselves going mad along with it.
I only heard about this series after being offered this audio to review. If you, like me, are unfamiliar with the wildly popular comics, graphic novels, and TV series, this is a perfect introduction. The Walking Dead will deposit you right in the middle of all of the undead chaos and introduce you to the small band of survivors attempting to make a life in this suburban nightmare. It was fascinating the way the book explored the emotional reactions of the group. Most of the reactions were quite understandable, but it really makes you wonder what you would do, say, feel if you found yourself in an unbelievable and terrifying new reality. The Walking Dead, didn’t lack for action either! In this world where the normal rules no longer apply, the zombies are at least the one danger in which you know what to expect, the humans are another story altogether. You would think that the struggle with the zombies would be action enough, but The Walking Dead contains some shocking twists and an ending that will leave you speechless.
The audio was narrated by Fred Berman who does an incredible job of bringing The Walking Dead to life in the most gruesome way possible. Fred Berman perfectly communicated the terror of the group trying to carve out a place in this altered world as well as conveyed each gory detail in a way that brought images to my mind that I may be a long time erasing. This is definitely a perfect audio for someone with a strong stomach and a love for zombie mayhem! (less)
Feed came so highly recommended by those whose opinions I trust most that I finally put aside my aversion to all things zombie and decided to read thi...moreFeed came so highly recommended by those whose opinions I trust most that I finally put aside my aversion to all things zombie and decided to read this book. And wow, am I so glad that I did. I was told that Feed did not have what you would usually expect from a book containing zombies, there weren't any vivid brain devouring scenes of blood and gore, the absence of which is what finally prompted me to pick this book up. There are essentially zombies all through this book and they are a huge part of the story, but this book is moreso about how people are surviving in a world turned to chaos and how essential an unbiased media presence would be when trying to once again create a semblance of order.
For me, the real heart of Feed was George and Shaun's story. I LOVED these characters. This adopted brother and sister pair very quickly stole my heart and their relationship fascinated me throughout the entire book. It reminded me of some documentaries that I've seen about identical twins, that they grow up relying so heavily on each other that it is difficult if not impossible to allow other people into their world. I love the way Shaun always protected his sister even though, from George's perspective, it always seemed that he was the impulsive, unruly, naughty child that she had to look out for, always warning him to stay out of trouble and worrying about his reckless behavior. But the truth was in the beautifully written small details. For example, Georgia wasn't comfortable touching people, so Shaun would automatically step up to offer a handshake when meeting someone. They knew each others thoughts and loved each other with a depth that goes beyond most siblings yet wasn't romantic or sexual even though it kind of gave that kind of vibe.
There were some slow chapters where the author gave a lot of information about the politics, the world, and journalism. I wasn't really able to relate to the constant obsession with ratings. Especially considering the way George and Shaun were raised (view spoiler)[ how their parents exploited them to boost their own ratings (hide spoiler)] it was hard for me to understand why they would also concern themselves so much with what seems to me such an irrelevant thing. But then, I'm not really that kind of blogger myself, things like that genuinely don't matter to me so it makes sense why its hard for me to relate to that in someone else. There were only a few small things that seemed inconsistent to me (view spoiler)[like that the senator was running on a republican ticket but almost all of his positions on things screamed democratic party (hide spoiler)] but I enjoyed the story so much that these small issues were inconsequential. At the end of the day, I loved this story. Despite, or maybe even because of, the many many tears I shed at that very unexpected twist near the end. For me, that was the end of the book because I honestly can't remember what I read after that point although I know there were some more words, pages, etc after that. I just don't remember what they said.
I'm going to leave my first thoughts after turning the last page as part of this review:
My masochistic heart can do nothing but rate this book a full 5 stars. I have to commend Mira Grant on how she managed to create such a compelling story and include zombies (which I don't even like btw) and introduce me to these amazing characters that I have no choice but to fall completely in love with and then, without warning, take it all away. I can almost picture the sadistic smile on this author's face as she gleefully ripped my heart out, stomped on it, then poked it a few times with Shaun's zombie stick, leaving me a broken, sobbing mess. Nice, Mira Grant, very nice.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction, sci-fi, and those who understand that not every story requires a H-E-A. (less)
I just keep losing interest in this one. Maybe I'll try to pick it up again another time. I'm absolutely in love with the cover and it got such a glow...moreI just keep losing interest in this one. Maybe I'll try to pick it up again another time. I'm absolutely in love with the cover and it got such a glowing review from a Goodreads friend that I really want to like this. (less)
A Need So Beautiful introduces us to Charlotte Cassidy, an orphan living with her foster mother and several other foster children. Charlotte suffers f...moreA Need So Beautiful introduces us to Charlotte Cassidy, an orphan living with her foster mother and several other foster children. Charlotte suffers from uncontrollable compulsions which she calls her “need” that compels her to seek out certain people and help them in some life-changing way. These compulsions come over her randomly and manifests as a physical ache deep within her that is only relieved when she completes her task. She has tried to keep all of these compulsive “needs” hidden from everyone, but her best friend seems to have an idea that something is a bit different about Charlotte. When Charlotte begins to realize that these “needs” are not only taking over her life, but may also end it, she has to come to terms with who and what she really is and decide which path to take.
I had such a difficult time writing this review. I thought the premise was incredibly fascinating and original. The compulsions that basically ruled Charlotte’s life were intriguing in the way they came upon her as well as in the way she fulfilled each task. I felt her frustration that these “needs'’ would so often take her away from what she preferred to be doing and she seemed to be powerless to control when and where these compulsions would overtake her. I can’t imagine having my life ruled by these impulses to help other people even when I didn’t particularly want to. It was almost as if Charlotte was a slave whose will was forced to follow the whims of these compulsions. Understandably, she resented this. Charlotte has the basic desires of many teenagers, to spend as much time as possible with her boyfriend and when she’s not with him, to hang out with her best friend. When her body began to show physical changes because of these impulses, she began to search for answers and a way to stop what was happening to her. As much as I would love to make a difference in the world and in other people’s lives, would I be willing to do so at the expense of my own life and my own happiness?
While I loved the premise, I often felt a bit of a disconnect with Charlottes character. Her obsession with her boyfriend was a bit much at times but some of that could be explained by the fact that, because of the “needs,” she may have naturally tended to invest that level of intensity into everything including her relationships with others. There were also quite a few holes in the plot as well as many unanswered questions about the mythology behind “The Forgotten.” Throughout the story, I alternated between being fascinated by and put off by a condition that would seem to push Charlotte toward what is essentially suicide and I really would have liked a lot more clarification about that. Then there were the secondary characters, Monroe and Onika and boyfriend Harlin. These characters seemed a bit weak and one dimensional. There was definitely a disconnect as far as they were concerned. I was left with more questions than answers by the end of this book. For some reason, all of the pieces of the puzzle didn’t quite come together for me.
With that being said, the plot and characters were certainly strong enough to hold my interest throughout the entirety of this book and after that jaw-dropping ending, I will definitely be back for more. I am eagerly anticipating reading A Want So Wicked, and I hope that what I did not understand with this book will be cleared up in the sequel.
Much of the disconnect I felt may have been due to the narration in the audio I listened to. This was one of the worst audio narrations I’ve ever listened to. It truly speaks to the strength of the plot and story that I was able to listen to this complete audio. The English? accent that this narrator used for Monroe and the Russian? accent used for Onika was painfully annoying as was the cloyingly cutesy voice used for Charlotte’s best friend Sarah. If want to get this book, choose the print or eBook.
Ultimately, I enjoyed A Need So Beautiful because of the original premise and interesting main character. While I felt the book had some definite flaws, I would still recommend it to those who have been looking for something fresh and new in YA fantasy. (less)
I've discovered by reading this that I am not a big fan of satire. Not even extremely well written satire, which this certainly is. So while I persona...moreI've discovered by reading this that I am not a big fan of satire. Not even extremely well written satire, which this certainly is. So while I personally didn't like it, I would still recommend it to those who enjoy this type of book.
Damned follows the 13year old protagonist, Madison, as she wakes up in Hell after overdosing on marijuana. Each chapter begins "Are you there Satan, it's me Madison" with a little note to Satan. Madison is a sarcastic and cynical girl who has been alternately spoiled and neglected by her rich, famous, and "free-thinking" parents. She joins a group of her peers, reminiscent of The Breakfast Club, as they journey through Hell searching for Satan. Throughout Damned is an overabundance of pop-culture references, blood, gore, and all manner scenes designed to disgust and offend even the most broad minded reader. There were some moments that were laugh out loud funny, but most of the humor read more like the college equivalent of a fart joke.
This book is much too explicit to be appropriate for teens and much to corny to appeal to most adults, so I believe that this would mainly appeal to the same demographic that enjoys movies about college frat parties and the like. (less)
I picked up Thirteen Reasons Why because I kept seeing it pop up on lists of “must read” books. I was a little hesitant about it at first because suic...moreI picked up Thirteen Reasons Why because I kept seeing it pop up on lists of “must read” books. I was a little hesitant about it at first because suicide isn’t really a subject matter I’m generally interested in reading about. Also, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the premise as it almost sounded like the book was justifying placing blame for the decision to commit suicide on those who Hannah felt wronged her. But instead, the book gave a very realistic look at how thoughtless words and actions can have a very real effect on someone's life.
The story revolves around two central characters. Hanna, who commits suicide after recording a series of tapes giving all of her reasons and sending them to the people she feels were a large factor in that decision, and Clay, who is one of the recipients of these tapes. Hanna’s voice is powerful and compelling as she relives some of the worst moments of her life. I was so impressed at the way the author was able to convey the sense of trapped isolation Hannah was feeling and how things just kept snowballing. But at the same time, the author showed how Hannah’s choices contributed to that breakdown. I loved Clay’s character. It was his story that really touched my heart. The way he reacted to what he was hearing, visiting each scene as Hanna related her experiences to better feel what she was saying and where she was both physically and emotionally when she was living these moments. The insight that went into creating this novel was nothing less than incredible.
Each cassette focused on a particular person or incident and how one situation fit into or affected the next. In the author's own words, a "snowball effect" that lead to Hannah making this most final of decisions. I think that this is a great book to open a dialog about feeling overwhelmed and helpless, as so many teenagers do. I think, as adults, we forget sometimes how intensely teenagers feel things and how tough some of the social aspects of school can be. I would love to see this book used to initiate discussions about these things, both with parents as well as in the schools themselves.
I can only rate this a five and also consider this a must read for everyone, all ages.(less)
I can only describe The Beginning of After as a softly powerful account of how one teenage girl survives a terrible loss. This book is beautifully wri...moreI can only describe The Beginning of After as a softly powerful account of how one teenage girl survives a terrible loss. This book is beautifully written and uncomfortably insightful. I felt as if I was listening to the main character, Laurel's private thoughts and feelings as she faced an unimaginable tragedy with the sudden loss of her family. The author paints a vivid and intuitive portrait of a teen trying to cope with this profound loss while also dealing with normal teen situations like prom, SAT's, and relationships.
David was suffering from a similar loss as his family was also involved in the crash that killed Laurel's family. The dynamic between Laurel and David was fascinating to witness. Both suffering from rage, guilt, sorrow, and unbelievable grief, they were alternately drawn to one another, yet unsure of each other. Watching how David struggled to cope with everything made my heart break for him.
The Beginning of After is a wonderful novel that travels through the lowest points of sorrow and leaves the reader with a feeling of hope. I highly recommend this for all ages.(less)
I didn't like this sequel as much as I enjoyed the first. It was still an entertaining read though and I'll definitely read the next when it is releas...moreI didn't like this sequel as much as I enjoyed the first. It was still an entertaining read though and I'll definitely read the next when it is released. (less)
I loved this book. It was such a unique story, I haven’t read anything quite like this before.
Nick and Allie are killed instantly in a car crash and...moreI loved this book. It was such a unique story, I haven’t read anything quite like this before.
Nick and Allie are killed instantly in a car crash and while heading down that tunnel toward the light, something happens and they find themselves waking up 9 months later in a beautiful lush forest near where the crash happened. It takes them a while to realize what must have happened, and discover they are not alone in this forest. There is a strange boy who has forgotten his name who they rechristen Leaf. Leaf has apparently been in this forest for many many years alone but has odd tales of other children who pass through from time to time and a monster named the McGill. As they set out to get some of their questions answered and to explore the world they now find themselves a part of, they discover that while only children populate this strange afterlife, there are still some very real dangers, even to those who can’t die.
I thoroughly enjoyed following the adventures of Nick and Allie as they explored Everlost, meeting many unusual and memorable characters along the way. This book was so entertaining and engaging that I read the entire thing in one night. I was up pretty late but couldn’t put it down until I got to the end, and while it didn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, I am certainly glad I have the next book in the series so that I can continue enjoying their adventures. I found it so easy to lose myself in this world. No flowery prose or overly wordy descriptions, just a straightforward, quickly moving plot with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. There are so many things and places to discover in Everlost and Neal Shusterman does an amazing job of showing this world in a way that kept me engaged in the story at the same time.
Rating 5 – I loved it and cannot wait to jump right into the next! (less)
I read a review on Bibliophile Brouhaha's blog that made me want to immediately read If I Stay and I wasn't disappointed. This audio was just over 5 h...moreI read a review on Bibliophile Brouhaha's blog that made me want to immediately read If I Stay and I wasn't disappointed. This audio was just over 5 hours long and I listened to it from start to finish in one sitting. There was no way I could stop without knowing what was going to happen, so I'm glad, for this reason, that it wasn't a longer book. The narrator, Kirsten Potter, was wonderful, really expressing the emotional aspects in the book in a way that made you feel what she was saying.
I would describe this as a quietly powerful read, painful, haunting, bittersweet, and inspiring We get to know Mia and her family through Mia's memories as she hovers on the brink of life and death, trying to decide whether or not she she should stay. There are many reasons for her to decide either way, and I fully understood her confusion. Just the fact that she had to choose, that she found herself in this position, watching events from outside of her body, I can't imagine how terrifying that would be. I felt fully involved in every step of Mia's journey, although I didn't shed many tears, only at the end and even then just a little.
I was surprised by how much depth each of the characters had even through such small glimpses into Mia's life. I particularly loved her Grandpa and best friend Kim. There were several points where I laughed out loud, once when her little brother Teddy says something along the lines of "Next year, I'll be 8, then I'll be a man and you'll have to call me Ted" I loved the way the hospital was portrayed as well, it made me think of my nurse friends who always tell me that the nurses are the only ones who really know what's going on in a hospital.
Mia's family was engaging, funny, and lovingly attentive to each other. I wished that I had grown up with a family like that. Her father was a former rocker turned teacher with such charismatic self-deprecating humor. Her mother was a ballsy, strong and protective dynamo of a woman. And little brother Teddy was funny and adorable. Glimpsing their interactions through Mia's memories really made me understand what made this decision so hard for Mia.
Gayle Forman packed a lot of heart into this short novel. I cannot wait to read the next one "Where She Went" which isn't due to come out until April of 2011. My sincere thanks to Bibliophile Brouhaha for bringing this book to my attention with her wonderful open letter to the author which is what made me decide to immediately grab this from Audible.
Of course I'll be rating this a 5. This is another book that will stay with me long after I read it and that I highly recommend to all.(less)
This was a great audio to listen to. The narrator, Sarah Drew was wonderfully expressive and really evoked the emotional turmoil that the MC, Sam was...moreThis was a great audio to listen to. The narrator, Sarah Drew was wonderfully expressive and really evoked the emotional turmoil that the MC, Sam was feeling throughout. It didn’t seem like 12 hours, I was so engaged in the story that I didn’t want it to end. Sarah Drew did an amazing job with the narration of this, really making me feel as if I were hearing Sam tell the story.
Before I Fall is a story about love, loss, hope, friendship, and forgiveness. Sam, killed in a car crash after a party one night, finds that she is living that same day over and over again. What I interpreted that she was doing was going through the 5 stages of grief with each day. At first, she couldn’t believe it and pretended it wasn’t true, that she must have been dreaming. But as she comes to realize that it wasn’t a dream, she is then forced to really take a look at her life and who she is.
I didn’t like Sam at the beginning but I don’t think I was meant to. I was fascinated by her and her friends though, the same way I’m fascinated with the characters on Gossip Girl. She and her group of friends are shallow, immature little twits at first glance but as the story progresses, I was able to see them a little differently. It was a really interesting and realistic look inside a clique of “mean girls” and some of the reasons why they act the way they do, without in any was excusing it or justifying it.
I loved watching the way Sam grew throughout the story, really coming to realize the truths about herself, her friends, and her life. She also took a long hard look at the boy she thought she loved, and ended up finding the boy who had been there all along but she hadn’t bothered to notice. It was a beautifully written touching story about what things are really important and what we want to be remembered for.
The only things I have to say about Before I Fall is that I would have liked to have seen a little more focus on Sam’s relationship with her family, it was odd how little they seemed to matter in the story, other than a few minutes with her sister. Also, some of the almost poetic phrasing didn’t really fit my idea of how a teenager like Sam would think. Other than that, this was a wonderful story that I would highly recommend to anyone who, like me, prefers a flawed main character and has a box of tissue close by.(less)
I put off reading this book for so long, but then so many of the end of 2010 recaps had this among their favorites of the year so I figured I would gi...moreI put off reading this book for so long, but then so many of the end of 2010 recaps had this among their favorites of the year so I figured I would give it a try. And I loved it. I think a lot of what caused me to put off reading this was people talking about the “unusual” writing style, which I usually take to mean “flowery prose that must be deciphered” So, I decided to listen to this on audio. Allan Corduner does an amazing job of narrating as Death, as well as bringing to life the amazing characters of Liesel, Rosa, Hans, Max, and Rudy. I was caught up, entranced, and swept away and finished this 14 hour audio in jut 2 1/2 days.
The Book Thief’s strength is in its subtleties I think. There are no extreme action scenes, no fast moving plots, it felt like a stroll through a series of memories and finally, like a smile through tears. Of course, as everyone knows, its narrated by Death. What I found to be intriguing was that Death starts the narrative by telling us how it will end. So that as I was getting to know these characters, feeling for them and with them, I already knew what their ultimate fate was in the book.
This story kind of snuck up on me. I knew that I enjoyed it, but I don't think I realized how invested I was in the characters until I found myself with tears rolling down my face and a knot in my throat. Even though I already knew how it would end, there were no surprises.
I haven't read any other books about Nazi Germany, so I'm not sure how this compares, but I was happy that it doesn't go into any graphic detail about the horrific deaths of the Jews, I don't want to read about that. It does paint a vivid picture of ordinary people, living, coping, surviving in a dangerous period of time. One part of the story that really struck me was when a father was trying to explain to his young son why he shouldn't publically idolize the gold medal winning Jesse Owens, because of his skin color. How do you consciously teach a child racism, even when you don't really understand it yourself? But you know you have to do it to keep him and your family safe.
This was a powerful story, focusing mainly on Liesel and the people in her world, and the stolen books that represent key moments in her life. I was a little unsure about reviewing this, because I don't know that my review will do it justice. I can only say that this is a story that will stay with me long after I put it down and move on to the next book. When I hear a discussion about Nazi Germany, I'll think about this book and Death's words and the boy with hair like lemons. Unquestionably rating this a 5 and highly recommend for anyone. (less)
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