false 4 55 41 true 6159592 read 8 true 5516081 currently-reading 6 true 5516079 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72163231 The Gargoyle (Hardcover) by Andrew Davidson
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78784072 Rosamund (The Friarsgate Inheritance #1) by Bertrice Small
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/26257-december-theme-select-your-book-for-our-unique-systems-of-magic-theme Jessie voted on the poll: December Theme: select your book for our Unique Systems of Magic theme! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70061001 to: Catriona (Mass Market Paperback) by Jeanette Baker
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68445898 to: Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth, #2) by Terry Goodkind
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68445841 to: Sister Time (Posleen War: Cally's War, #2) by John Ringo
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72163130 to: The Woman in White (Enriched Classics) by Wilkie Collins
Wow--this was a great book! I really enjoyed it. Woman In White had everything--mystery, suspense, romance, even a tough of the supernatural. Who exactly was "The Woman In White?" I'm not going to say because it will ruin the surprise. This book kept me guessing and I had no idea what would happen next. I liked how the book was written--with multiple narrators each with their own points of view. I also enjoyed how Collins used this narrative style to move the story along. It was interesting to find out who would speak next. And each narrator had his or her unique voice. I loved the characters too--especially Marian and Count Fosco. I admired Marian's strength and steely determination to solve the mystery of the Woman In White and to keep her sister, Laura, safe. count Fosco was so pompous and such a great villian--always looking after himself and his own interests, carefully plotting his next move. This was a terrific book and now one of my favorites. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72162715 to: Lady of Conquest (Mass Market Paperback) by Teresa Medeiros
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72162683 The Charnel Prince (Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, #2) by Greg Keyes
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70061094 to: The Briar King (Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, #1) by Greg Keyes
Although I enjoyed The Briar King, I found the characters to be somewhat stereotypical and the plot to be unoriginal. The story was the basic journey story--the characters have to go on a "quest" to find both themselves and a source of evil that is bent on destruction. The characters then have to find a way to defeat the evil, in this case, The Briar King and those who serve him.

I found the character of Anne to be very similar to the heroines of romance novels--head-strong, stubborn, wanting her own way, and waiting for a man to rescue her--first Rodderick and then Cazio. Anne reminded me of Gelina, the heroine of Teresa Medeiros' "Lady of Conquest." Both young women are similar in temperament and even have red hair. Like Anne, Gelina is a woman of high birth who survives sorrow and tragedy through bold determination.

I did appreciate Keyes' writing style. I thought it was simple yet eloquent. I especially liked his vivid descriptions and details. The ending of the book made me want to read "The Charnel Prince"--the next book in the series. ]]>