Even though The Kingdom didn't live up to my expectations (which I had probably set a bit too high after the astounding first installment, The Restore...moreEven though The Kingdom didn't live up to my expectations (which I had probably set a bit too high after the astounding first installment, The Restorer), I still enjoyed its creepy uniqueness and found myself enraptured all the same.
Amanda Stevens has the uncanny ability of evoking the most different kind of emotions from me: be it fear, curiosity, excitement, confusion, or simple need to know what will happen next, every single page she writes proves to be my favourite kind of emotional roller coaster.
Although I wasn't really comfortable with the author's decision to change the setting and almost all the characters from the first installment, the final result was still as eerily perfect as it was for the first book, and I was reassured at the end of the book that I would get to see Devlin again in the Graveyard Queen series.
No matter the flaws, The Kingdom was still an enchanting read, one I recommend to mystery and paranormal lovers and especially to the author's fans, with the assurance that they won't be disappointed.(less)
In few words, it was a very complicated and very interesting novel. I learned a lot reading this book, especially about the story of my own country an...moreIn few words, it was a very complicated and very interesting novel. I learned a lot reading this book, especially about the story of my own country and all the political tactics used back in the 90s, as well as the relation between mafia and the Italian government.
I loved the individual stories, especially Antonio's one, but the character I sympathized more with was without a doubt Diego, and it was a bummer to see leave the scene at the middle of the book.
The ending was full of sorrow and grief and rage, and I've got to say, the authors did a really good job at keeping it real. Though tragic, it was very realistic and it left that sense of bitterness we find many times through our life.
G.P.'s character was one of best villains I've ever read of, although calling him a villain is not exactly right: in fact, he's more similar to a card dealer that chooses which player gets the winning cards. The portrait that was made of him is that of a cold, detached, calculating, powerful psycho, which, in my opinion, tops every villain in the history of villains.
All in all, a fantastic read, by two authors I hope will decide to start typing something new soon.(less)
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed dancergirl, not because I had low expectations, but because I had...moreGripping, intriguing, exceptional novel!
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed dancergirl, not because I had low expectations, but because I hadn't foreseen such a powerful insight into the thoughts of a stalked teenager. That was for sure the best part of the book, the creepy feeling that I, as well as her, was being observed, too, and the heart that jumped in my throat at every twist in the story.
Considering I've followed ballet classes for ten years, the hit one of my weak spots by throwing dancing into the mix, with a result that, given the incredibly realistic descriptions, I consider quit impressing.
I'm really glad I discovered this book and I'm sure this will soon become one of my favorite young-adult suspense series.(less)
Beautiful, haunting short story. I must make sure I get my hands on a novel by Kristin Hannah as soon as possible. I particularly loved the protagonist...moreBeautiful, haunting short story. I must make sure I get my hands on a novel by Kristin Hannah as soon as possible. I particularly loved the protagonist's voice and the final paranormal element that let her finally find peace with her mom's memory.(less)
You Are My Only was not exactly how I expected it to be, and in this case, that is half a bad, half a good thing.
Actually, I could quite easily divide...moreYou Are My Only was not exactly how I expected it to be, and in this case, that is half a bad, half a good thing.
Actually, I could quite easily divide in two sections all the things I did or didn't like: I really enjoyed the chapters from Sophie's POV, especially as the book evolved and I had a clearer idea of the story, but the Emmy's parts were just too confused to properly like them, and yet too heartrending to hate.
So basically, I kept going from total confusion, to curiosity, to enchantment over and over again, and at the end I couldn't understand if I was truly satisfied or if I was still waiting for something else.
On the contrary, the main plot was captivating and well exposed, and even though we can understand from the beginning how things are going to end, I still exhaled a breath of relief after everything was safely wrapped up.
Overall, a decent read that deals with an important subject and delivers something more than just mere words.(less)
I saw the film Sleepy Hollow a couple of weeks ago and I found it very funny and enjoyable (I mean, I like anything by Tim Burton and anything with Jo...moreI saw the film Sleepy Hollow a couple of weeks ago and I found it very funny and enjoyable (I mean, I like anything by Tim Burton and anything with Johnny Depp in it, so it wasn't such a big surprise) and I decided to read the short story that inspired the movie.
It was a nice and very short read, and even though the director developed and altered the story a bit, I can understand the appeal it posed.
Did I say that I'm totally in love with Johnny Depp? :D(less)
Immortal in Death, third installment in the In Death series, was both lighter and more intense than the first two, the former because of the big part...moreImmortal in Death, third installment in the In Death series, was both lighter and more intense than the first two, the former because of the big part Mavis and their friends had in the story (I found them absolutely hilarious), the latter because of the brutal homicides and Eve's tension for the impending wedding. I'm just sorry we don't get to read about Eve and Roarke's honeymoon - I would have really liked to see how they managed to survive three whole weeks without their jobs.(less)
Unfortunately, I found the second installment in the In Death series, Glory in Death, not as good and engaging as the first one, even though I loved t...moreUnfortunately, I found the second installment in the In Death series, Glory in Death, not as good and engaging as the first one, even though I loved the development in Eve and Roarke's romantic relationship as well as the growing trust Eve puts in Roarke. I think that Roarke's proposal came a little too fast, though. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.(less)
Remarkable start to a series that is quickly becoming one of my favourites, Naked in Death is the perfect union of mystery and romance. Robb's writing...moreRemarkable start to a series that is quickly becoming one of my favourites, Naked in Death is the perfect union of mystery and romance. Robb's writing and creativity are noteworthy and although I expected the relationship between Eve and Roarke to develop in a slightly different manner, I enjoyed the first installment in the In Death series immensely. It'd been a while since I read an investigative novel and I'm eager to discover more about Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her world.(less)
La mamma del sole was a nice, light read whose colloquial writing and unusual familiarity surprised me in a good way.
All the different storylines evolve around the police station and converge into a single story that leads to the final solution of the mystery. I enjoyed the variety of characters and the plot was satisfactory enough, even though the ending was kind of rushed if compared to the rest of the book.
I have other books by Vitali somewhere on my bookshelf and I'll make sure I'll read another in the future.(less)
Wow! I hadn't read a book this good - and creepy - in a while.
Besides the captivating writing, the realistic and charming characters, th...moreMy rating: 4.5
Wow! I hadn't read a book this good - and creepy - in a while.
Besides the captivating writing, the realistic and charming characters, the paranormal world the heroine has to live in everyday and the steamy passion between Amelia and Devlin, The Restorer had a perfect mix of horror, romance, paranormal and mystery, a combination that not only captured my attention and held it through the whole book, but that also left me wanting for more, more and more.
I liked the original paranormal touch and I can't wait to read more about the entity that threatens Amelia's life, and also about ghosts in general, and I'm curious about the development of Amelia and Devlin's relationship after the final events.
The whole thing about the "I-slit-people's-throats-and-leave-them-hanging-from-the-ceiling-until-all-their-blood-flows-out-of-their-veins" killer crept the hell out of me, I even had troubles getting asleep. The whole case was so well planned that I was totally immersed in the book and I had to stop reading several times and to remind myself to breathe.
I highly recommend it to paranormal an mystery fans and I'll make sure to read the next installment in the series.(less)
In the stillness of headstones, darkness is my blanket. And forever is an endless song. In the arms of stone angels, I'm not af...moreRating Clarification: 2.5
In the stillness of headstones, darkness is my blanket. And forever is an endless song. In the arms of stone angels, I'm not afraid. Because finally and completely, I belong.
Both the paperback and the galley cover are gorgeous, and the quote printed on the page before the prologue is so striking I read it over and over again.
I had very mixed feelings about this book, especially during the first part, where the heroine managed to reach the top ten of my most-irritating-protagonist list. It just felt like she was forty and knew everything to know about life and that the rest of humanity wasn't worth looking at. Seriously, I'd burnt the damn book if it wasn't on my kindle. And what about the town sheriff? He was even more arrogant than Brenna, and blind, too. How could he not notice all the troubles his nephew caused? And how could he be so irrevocably racist, at the point to accuse a boy of cold-blooded murder and don't consider any other possible suspect?
Apart from the big-headed characters, this book was ok. Brenna became much more tolerable towards the end and the plot was pretty good, I liked both the mystery and involvement of the Euchee tribe, and I didn't see the end coming. I think Withe Bird had a lot of potential, too bad he was in a catatonic state for most of the book. I didn't really get why Brenna made such big deal out of her "powers", I think her seeing the dead was just pointless since it didn't help the progress of the book at all.
Overall, it was an okay read, but I think the author has to work more on her characters, sometimes they were just too unrealistic.(less)
The Raising was my first book by Laura Kasischke and I must say she made a very good impression on me.
The writing was so good, it was enough to make m...moreThe Raising was my first book by Laura Kasischke and I must say she made a very good impression on me.
The writing was so good, it was enough to make me like this book. Some parts even managed to give me the creeps. (But I guess it's not that hard when you're reading on a bed in a cheap hotel at 3 o'clock in the morning.)
The academic world of Godwin Honors Hall was well built and the characters were charming and easy to connect with. My favourite one was Perry, I found his inner restlessness sad and sweet at the same time. On the other side, Nicole and Josie were two of the most irritating characters I've read of lately and I'm sure I won't miss them at all.
The story was one of the most intriguing and well-thought I've ever read, everything perfectly fit together and it took me a while to understand that, because there were so many questions, so many dead ends, so many twists that it was hard to keep up with the pace.
The end was a bit rushed and, well, not properly an end, since it didn't say anything about the mystery, but it was nice to see how the characters' lives had gone on after all their tragedies (which were all caused by a sorority. Which, if you think about it, is creepy. And sad.)
I recommend this book to the fans of mystery, in particular the ones set in colleges, and to the lovers of the world of the dead and the undead - though not in the supernatural way.(less)
When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small tow...moreRating Clarification: 4.5
When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.
I didn't really know what to expect from this book. The cover is mesmerizing, I think the bud in the center of the page express the concept of shining in a delicate, perfect way. What really hooked me, though, was the heroine: Cat is a good girl from a small village where she lives with her aunt and her brother Christian. She is a loner, but not for choice - not a rational one: years ago, a drunk friend of her brother's tried to take advantage of her, an experience that will mark her soul, causing her to slowly drift away from her friends, even from Patrick, her long-time best (gay) friend.
When Patrick gets beaten up and goes into a coma, she decides it is time to react and go on with her life and starts looking for anything that could help with the inquiry. But her brother, along with his friends, are acting funny and someone is not so subtle about not wanting Cat to poke her nose in others' business.
During the development of the novel, we get to know more about Cat's life, family and ex-friends. Her submissive character starts strengthening into a strong, determined one, thanks to her faith in God, her memories of Patrick and the light that an unexpected person brings in her life.
Shine is surely one of the best books I've read lately. The writing is great, Cat's perspective of the world was so realistic and so well developed it made me love every single page of this book. There were several flashbacks about Cat's life and I really enjoyed them, they uncovered the story one bit at a time.
The setting was...unsettling. The amount of alcoholic, strict, absent and/or violent parents was astounding and some of the villager's behaviours were just unbelievable, and not in a good way. But I guess that's exactly what the title means: that in a world of shadows, pain and evil, there always is something, or better, someone that with his light can help you to find the right path. That will help you shine.(less)
Carlos, you're my hero. I think this is his best book and I loved it from the first to the last word, even if it was sort of messed up in the end. What...moreCarlos, you're my hero. I think this is his best book and I loved it from the first to the last word, even if it was sort of messed up in the end. Whatev :)(less)
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