M.L. Sparrow's Blog, page 6

The Wicker King

The Wicker King, by K. Ancrum Blurb:When August learns that his best friend, Jack, shows signs of degenerative hallucinatory disorder, he is determined to help Jack cope. Jack’s vivid and long-term visions take the form of an elaborate fantasy world layered over our own—a world ruled by the Wicker King. As Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy in this alternate world, even August begins to question what is real or not. August and Jack struggle to keep afloat as they teeter between fantasy and their own emotions. In the end, each must choose his own truth. My ReviewHow to review this book..? So, by the end I loved it, but at first I honestly thought it was just plain strange, which I guess was kinda the reason I liked it... Also, I found the writing style very abrupt, which, at times, worked perfectly and I loved it, but at other times more information and more fleshing out of a scene would have been appreciated.Since it was told from August's point of view, not Jack's (who is the one having the delusions) the fantasy world felt strange and flat, not at all fleshed out and there wasn't really enough information about it to draw me in to that aspect of the story. What kept me interested though was Jack and August's relationship, which was confusing, brutal, unhealthy in so many ways, and yet it felt so vital and important and I found myself rooting for them despite the way the sometimes treated each other. I actually enjoyed the last fifty odd pages the most. I liked the ending; it was both realistic and it left the characters with a chance for happiness despite everything. I also liked the author's note at the end and I felt more informed and understand of the book and it's characters after I'd read it. All in all, a book I wasn't sure about to begin with, but ended up loving! I'd definitely recommend it if you don't mind reading a book with quite a few 'what the hell?' moments! My favourite quotes from 'The Wicker King':'My mom once told me that being alone makes you feel weaker everyday, even if you're not.' ' "But your best is not good enough sometimes," she said, deflating a bit. "Sometimes... you have to stop trying and just let someone else try their best. In order to survive." ' 'They'll learn how to love each other with fingertips, instead of claws.'

Seduce Me at Sunrise

Seduce Me at Sunrise, (The Hathaways, Book 2), by Lisa KleypasBlurb:He has tried hard to forget her. Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation... and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate. Can she remember the man he once was? Then, Win returns to England... only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for...My ReviewI should probably start by saying that I read this series in a really random order! I first read most of the books years ago, but I only read the ones that interested me, leaving out this book and Poppy's one. Now, years later, I'm a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas' historical romances and suddenly realised that I still hadn't read these two... so I did. And now I'm kicking myself for not reading this story sooner!I ended up liking Win, and understanding her, way more than I thought I would and it was simply impossible not to fall in love with Merripen. I'll admit, I love the wounded hero trope and Merripen was just the epitome of that; his childhood was heartbreaking and his conviction that he wasn't good enough for Win, despite evidence to the contrary, was really sad. I also enjoyed the flashback to when they were children, I thought it really cemented the bond between them in the readers mind and the sense that Win and Merripen belong together.Also, the mystery behind the tattoos and Cam and Merripen's connection is explained in this book. Obviously, having read the later books, I already pretty much knew, but it was nice to read the proper scene unfolding. My only complain would be that I wanted to see their bitter, mean grandfather put in his place and set straight.As always, it was great to be back with the Hathaways, with all their banter and drama and all the sibling love (they are one of my favourite fictional families!) and I now only have one more book to read in my re-read of this series! My favourite quotes from 'Seduce Me at Sunrise': 'After all, some principles are worth standing up for.' 'He thought briefly of praying. But he would not acknowledge any being, supernatural or mortal, who threatened to take her from him.' 'Win had asked for friendship. Impossible. How could he separate any part of the unwilling tangle of his feelings, and hand over such a small piece?'

Love in the Afternoon

Love in the Afternoon, (The Hathaways Series, Book 5), by Lisa KleypasBlurb:As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the free-spirited beauty is resigned to never finding love. But correspondence with damaged war veteran Christopher Phelan begins to change her outlook.My ReviewThis was a re-read and I still love this book as much as I did the first time. Honestly, I enjoy all of Lisa Kleypas' historical romances, but this one is definitely one of my favourites. I just love Beatrix and her affinity for animals and I thought Christopher was a perfect match for her. Christopher was a wonderful hero and I really enjoyed reading the change in him and how the PTSD was handled, though of course it wasn't called that. I don't even know what else to say about this book, for me the characters just took over and I sped through it, loving every minute. The romance between them is beautiful and anyone who loves the enemies to lovers trope is pretty much guaranteed to enjoy this one.My favourite quotes from Love in the Afternoon: 'I love you. I swear by the starlight... I will not leave this earth until you hear those words from me.' ' "I stand by my opinions when I know I'm right, Captain Phelan. Whereas you stand by yours merely because you're stubborn." ' 'I'm old. Navigating life with this body is like trying to sail a shipwreck.' 'Most of all she longed to talk with him... to pry each other open with words, share every thought and secret.' ' "I love you too much to risk your safety." "Love me even more, then," she begged. "Enough to marry me no matter what the obstacles are." ''There would be no point in marrying a woman with unorthodox interests and then trying to make her ordinary, would there?' 'I don't think there's a man alive who could be all the things you deserve in a husband... but I beg you to let me try.' ' "When I give you away at the altar, Bea, I want you to remember something. I'm not really giving you away. I'm merely allowing him the chance to love you as much as the rest of us do." '

One Dog at a Time

One Dog at a Time: Saving the Strays of Helmand, by Pen FarthingBlurb:In a remote outpost of Now Zad, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Pen Farthing and his troop of young Royal Marines survive frequent engagements with the Taliban and forge links with the local community. Pen's tour of duty will change his life forever, but for entirely unexpected reasons ... Appalled by the horrors of a local dog fight, he intervenes to free the victims. One of these dogs finds his way into the Marine compound - and into Pen's heart. Soon other strays are being drawn to the sanctuary provided by Pen's makeshift pound, including one young mum who crawls under the compound fence carrying her newborn pups to safety. But as his tour of duty draws to an end, Pen cannot leave the dogs of Now Zad to their own fates. he begins hatching plans to help them escape to a better life. This is Pen's gripping account of his time in Now Zad, the friends he made there and the remarkable journey they - and he - undertook. Above all, it is the story of one man's courage and humanity and his fight to make a difference in the most hostile and dangerous environment - one dog at a time.My ReviewThis is a very touching true story and I applaud Pen Farthing for his amazing efforts to save these dogs. As is mentioned in some reviews of this book, the writing style is very simple but that didn't bother me, I wasn't expecting a work of great poetry when I brought this book. I was expecting an uplifting story about saving dogs, which is what I got, although there were definitely some sad parts in this book and it broke my heart that not every dog got a happy ending. I loved the ending of this book and I'm so glad Nowzad ended up with Pen! I'm looking forward to reading the next book and hearing about all the others dogs the charity the author started helped.I am planning on grabbing the paperback copy (I read this on i.books), because I believe the paperback versions has pictures in it and I really want to see if the images I have in my head of the dogs are correct!

Married By Morning

Married By Morning, (The Hathaways Series, Book 4), by Lisa KleypasBlurb:He is everything she wants to avoid... For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters - a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges' older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her power response - and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison. She is not at all what she seems... Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine's respectable demeanour hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them for ever - unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires ... One night can change everything...My ReviewI read this book a long time ago and decided to re-read it. I love Leo and Catherine and how they are continually butting heads. I especially love that Leo is often self-depricating and has a smart arse response for everything! It was great seeing how they developed from hate to love and was convincingly done. I also enjoyed reading Cat's relationship with Harry, although it kind of made their interactions in the book before - Tempt Me at Twilight - even stranger. And then there was Dodger, I swear no Hathaway book would be complete without that mischievous little ferret!As usual, the writing was beautiful and I couldn't put it down. I really do love Lisa Kleypas' historical romances! My favourite quotes from 'Married By Morning': 'Her will was so fierce, her temperament so prickly, that he tended to forget she was only half his size.'' "It's why I cling to my bad habits. One doesn't have to start regretting something unless one stops doing it." ' ' "My mistakes are usually so enjoyable that I tend to repeat them." ' ' "If I ever fell in love with someone," he retorted, "I certainly wouldn't ruin it by marrying her." ' 'Guilt often takes the form of anger.' 'I fought so hard to stay standing at the edge of my own life... when I should have had the courage to walk into yours.'

Tempt Me at Twilight

Tempt Me at Twilight, (The Hathaways Series, Book 3), by Lisa Kleypas Blurb:He was everything she'd sworn to avoid. Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust. And she was everything he needed. Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length…but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all... My ReviewI love Lisa Kleypas' historical romances and I read most of them a few years ago, however, this one fell through the gaps. I have to say it wasn't my favourite of her books, but I still really enjoyed it. I love the Hathaway family, they're so refreshing and the way that they interact is great; I especially loved how Cam and Leo dealt with Harry, telling him that Poppy didn't need to marry someone she didn't love. The protectiveness and sense of family just leapt off the page. I also loved Dodger, I mean, how could you not love a cheeky ferret who steals everyone's stuff?I liked the premise of the story and I'm a sucker for a redemption storyline, but I just didn't really feel it with this one... I think perhaps it went too quickly, it was like a switch was flipped and it was missing something. It was a shame, because Harry and Poppy had the potential to be some of my favourite characters.All in all, I still enjoyed this book, but not as much as others in the series, which I will now be re-reaading! My favourite quotes from 'Tempt Me at Twilight': '... from what I've seen, the British peerage negotiates marriages with all the romantic sensibilities of a bank transaction.' 'Thank God for sisters,' ' "I think," he said slowly, "that you should marry a man who would appreciate you."She made a face. "Those are in short supply."He smiled. "You don't need a supply. You just need one." ' ' "You were courted by a boy, who had to do as he was told. ... You should try it with a man, who needs no one's permission." ' ' "If you succeed in marrying her, we're not losing a sister. You're gaining an entire family - who will protect her at any cost." ' 'She wouldn't be able to marry for love, but she could at least marry for hope.''In the fairy tale you mentioned last night, I would probably be the villain. But it's possible the villain would treat you far better than the prince would have.' '... the same qualities that were considered faults in an unmarried girl were admired in a married woman.' 'Men love to be forgiven. It makes us feel better about our inability to learn from our mistakes.' ' "It's lovely to talk to your husband after you've been to bed together. They just lie there feeling grateful and say yes to everything." ' ' "... if I hadn't done it, you'd be his now. And he only wanted you if it was easy for him." '

Girls of Paper and Fire

Girls of Paper and Fire, (Girls of Paper and Fire, Book 1), by Natasha NganBlurb:Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel. But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire. In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest. Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.My Review I really enjoyed this book! The world building is fantastic and what the author created was different from any of the other fantasy books I’ve read. The writing was also really, really good, lyrical in places. This book is a slow burn and most of the action happens towards the end, however, the emotional tension was strung out throughout the book and I constantly felt like I was on tenterhooks. Girls of Paper and Fire is a great book for looking at feminism and though it shows great female power, both physically and mentally, it also shows the fears and pressures women often get in a largely male-run world. Honestly, the tension as Lei waits for the King to call on her was awful. I feel like it’s important to note that there are triggers in this book and although they are not explicitly written, the before and the emotions Lei feels afterwards were heart-wrenching and could potentially bring back bad memories for some.Now, onto my favourite part of this book! The characters! I loved Lei, her sarcastic come-backs, her spirit, the fact that she wasn’t taken in by the palace and she stayed true to herself. I also liked that she wasn’t the heroine everyone expected, she had to grow into the role and even at the end she isn’t totally hard-core, which I liked because it felt more realistic. To begin with, I wasn’t sure of Wren, but in the end I really liked her and I can’t wait to see more of her in the next book. I also can’t wait to see more of her and Lei together, because they made such a great couple! Finally, I liked that all the other Paper Girls were very much separate characters and they all had different reactions to what went on and how they felt about their so-called duty. All in all, I can’t wait for the next book! Anyone know when it’ll be out?!My favourite quotes from 'Girls of Paper and Fire': '... here I am, about to share the last thing I'd ever want to offer the King. Myself.' 'I've learned how to live with nightmares. I could cope with one more.''All the bad things in my life have happened because of men's greed-' '... I'd feel better knowing every Paper Girl tried to refuse him.' 'I don't want an easy life. I wasn't a meaningful one.''I like to think there's some good behind even the darkest sins. That death can be warranted if it paves the way for hope.' 'We might be Paper Girls, easily torn and written upon. The very title we're given suggests that we are blank, waiting to be filled. But what the Demon King and his court do not understand is that paper is flammable. And there is a fire catching among us.''Her kisses heal the parts of me that the King broke. They tell me: You are strong, Lei. You are beautiful. You are mine. And, always, most important: You are yours.' 'But my thoughts never seemed to form into a language I could share.' 'I've grown up learning this, how to fight and be brave. You've had to find it within yourself, all on your own. That's real courage.' 'How painful it is to say good-bye to someone who has no idea you are leaving.'

Wild

Wild, by Cheryl Strayed Blurb:At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State — and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her. My ReviewThis book has been on my list for a long, long time, since I saw the film when it first came out in fact, however, when I signed up to the Cheryl Strayed talk about Wild at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, I thought I'd better read the book. And I LOVED it! It was inspiring and raw and honest and after hearing Cheryl talk about the book, I loved it even more. Also, despite the fact that I haven't gone through what the author did, I found I could really relate to her feelings; Cheryl decided to walk the PCT to find out who she was, I decided to move abroad. Reading this story also made me really want to go hiking! Of course, I'd take my dogs, but the idea of walking a huge distance and being totally off the grid and reliant on yourself, is something that really appeals to me.I can definitely see myself reading this book again in the future! Everyone should definitely read it, even if hiking isn't something you're into there is so much more to this book.My favourite quotes from 'Wild': 'Unlike Leif and Karen, who could hardly bear to be in our mother's presence once she got sick, I couldn't bear to be away from her.' 'Blood is thicker than water, my mother had always said when I was growing up, a sentiment I'd often disputed. But it turned out that it didn't matter whether she was right or wrong. They both flowed out of my cupped palms.' 'Part of me was terrified by the idea of him leaving me; another part of me desperately hoped he would. If he left, the door of our marriage would swing shut without me having to kick it.' ' "I'm a free spirit who never had the balls to be free." ' '... a particular joy that had been denied us all of our lives because we'd never been loved right by a man.' 'Not enough chicks do that, if you ask me - just tell society and their expectations to go fuck themselves. If more women did that, we'd be better off.' 'That's what fathers do if they don't heal their wounds. They wound their children in the same place.' 'The father's job is to teach his children how to be a warrior, to give them the confidence to get on the horse and ride into battle when it's necessary to do so. If you don't get that from your father, you have to teach yourself.' 'I've always been someone's daughter or mother or wife. I've never just been me.'

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys Anthology, by Stefan Bachmann, Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, A. G. Howard, Jay Kristoff, Marie Lu, Jonathan Maberry, Danielle Paige, Carrie Ryan, Megan Shepherd, Nova Ren Suma, McCormick Templeman, April Genevieve Tucholke and Cat WintersBlurb:A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke. Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.My ReviewI'm not usually a huge fan of anthologies, but I'd heard so many good things about this one and it has an awesome cover and title, so I grabbed a copy and ended up loving it. Since it's YA the horror aspect is pretty light, but I loved how most of the stories had twists and even the predictable ones were so well written that I really enjoyed them. There are great characters through-out, whether they are good guys or bad guys, they were intriguing and their stories interesting. I also loved that these stories give you a brutal sense of justice, an-eye-for-an-eye, and in the world we live in, where the bad guys seem to often go free, I feel like this is great to read about. With that in mind, it was also wonderful to see so many strong, vicious female characters.I enjoyed all the stories, but my favourites were Emmeline, by Cat winters and The Dark, Scary Parts and All, by Danielle Paige. I also loved the ending by Verse Chorus Verse, by Leigh Bardugo. I also enjoyed M, by Stefan Bachmann; I always like reading about characters who have some kind of difficulty, in this case Misha is blind, because I like to see how they interpret the world and overcome challenges. My only complaint with this story would be that several times, the author describes things as if she can actually see them and around the villain she can almost see, which kind of ruined it for me, I felt like it was a bit of a cop out... But still, a great selection of stories, an anthology I really, really enjoyed.My favourite quotes from 'Slasher Girls and Monster Boys':' "Not all monsters are filled with darkness." ' 'And her attention span wasn't much longer that her tweets.' ' "Just because you're chosen, doesn't mean you don't have a choice." ' 'No one loves words like you do. I've seen it in class. You name-drop authors like other girls drop boy bands.' ' "What I think and what I actually do are two different things. That's what makes us good or evil." ' 'You were the first broken thing I ever met who didn't want to be someone else. Who didn't want to be fixed.' 'Somehow it didn't surprise Dahlia Allgood that the world would end on a Friday. What better way to screw up the weekend?' 'Her gran always said that places like Los Angeles ate little girls alive. But Gran was wrong about that. The whole damn godforsaken world eats little girls alive...'

Dracula

Dracula, by Bram StokerBlurb:When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, he makes horrifying discoveries in his client's castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England: a ship runs aground on the shores of Whitby, its crew vanished; beautiful Lucy Westenra slowly succumbs to a mysterious, wasting illness, her blood drained away; and the lunatic Renfield raves about the imminent arrival of his 'master'. In the ensuing battle of wills between the sinister Count and a determined group of adversaries - led by the intrepid vampire hunter Abraham van Helsing - Bram Stoker created a masterpiece of the horror genre, probing into questions of identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire.My ReviewI've been meaning to read this book for ages and honestly, I kind of wish I hadn't read it, since I was really disappointed. :-( Lots of people love this book and hail it as a horror classic, however, I found it boring and there was nothing about it that I found scary, even for the time. I found the characters pretty much interchangeable - usually if I couldn't remember which character was which, I'd go back through the text and figure it out, but I just didn't care enough to do that. The only character I almost liked was Mina, although it did really annoy me that all the men kept calling her a good, dear girl, as if she were a child. The way the cosseted her annoyed me too, but I know that's just a factor of the time it was written, as is the way they spoke to her, but it was still irritating.All in all, I just didn't enjoy this book, but I'm still glad I finally read it. My favourite quotes from 'Dracula':'... your honesty and pluck have made me a friend, and that's rarer than a lover...''The world seems full of good men, even if there are monsters in it.''I suppose it is thus that in old times one vampire meant many. Just as their hideous bodies could only rest in sacred earth, so the holiest love was the recruitment sergeant for their ghastly ranks.' 'And I can die, if need be, as well as younger men.'