Andrea Murray's Blog: Author of the Vivid Trilogy and Omni, page 9

OMNI free through July

Through the month of July, my newest novel, will be free on Smashwords! Omni is a 2014 Darrell Award Finalist and a Runner-Up in Book Country’s About the Book Competition.
They will risk everything, even challenging the all-seeing eye of the Omni government. But will the prize be worth the cost?
Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, his life takes an unbelievable twist.
With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.

Book Review: The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters

The Cure for Dreaming by Cat Winters
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Women’s suffrage. How much do you really know about a topic that was once so important to millions of women? I’ll admit it’s not a topic about which I often think, something I take for granted actually. In The Cure for Dreaming, Cat Winters not only gives the reader an education, but she also provides amazing, historical photos to accompany her lesson.
Olivia’s struggle to find her way in a man’s world was eye-opening and frightening. It’s bad enough to be an awkward, undervalued teenage girl, but add to that an overbearing father and the “gift” given to her by Henri, and it’s a burden I’m not sure many could bear. I loved watching her grow into her own mind as well as the blossoming relationship between Olivia and Henri. Her visions are frightening enough to be borderline horror novel, and the references to other important literary works of the time were great. I completely enjoyed this novel. The story was engaging, the pacing was quick, and the “extras” really increased my enjoyment of the novel.
I’m not certain how many of my students could really appreciate the historical period; however, isn’t that just another reason to read it?
5 Stars

Book Review: Six Strings by Jen Sanya Williamson

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
From the fantastic opening chapter to the jaw-dropping ending, this novel is amazing! There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about Six Strings. All of the characters are perfectly created to make this unbelievable, time travel notion totally possible.

I don’t typically like time travel novels and can count on one hand the number I’ve read and actually enjoyed; I get so confused and hate trying to remember whether a character did something in the past or present, if it’s happened or not yet happened. They drive me crazy! But this one isn’t like that. It’s well-organized, and there aren’t a great deal of “rules” to the travel. The rules that do exist are pretty clearly spelled out (literally) for the reader as well as Riley. Normally, a lack of reasons, a back story as to why or how the characters can perform these exploits, would also drive me crazy, but this story is so captivating, suspending disbelief is easy.

The relationship between Mary and Riley is beautiful and tragic, and Riley’s feelings toward her mother hit home with me. Having someone you truly love tell you a lifelong lie is devastating, and Riley’s conflicted emotions are spot-on. I don't want to give away too much, but Riley's secret discovery is earth-shattering for her--for anyone. She NEEDS to follow her twisted path into the past to satisfy herself, and her personal growth is both believable and obvious. I loved Lucas Cooper, and I hope we see him again before the series finishes. I can’t wait to read the next one!
5 Stars

Book Review: Airel by Aaron Patterson and Chris White

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Summary:
All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?
The Review:
I’ve read several versions of “angel” paranormal literature, both young adult and adult, and they all have one thing in common—complexity. I suppose complicated plots in this subgenre is typical because of the various religious beliefs and doctrines involving God and His divine creations, and reconciling the existing tales with a creative new plot cannot be easy, but sometimes the convoluted maze loses the reader, especially when the story isn’t fully revealed. I’m afraid Airel falls into that category for me.
The novel centers—at first—on the story of Airel, and I quite enjoyed her story. She’s the typical “I don’t belong” teen, struggling with her identity and insecurities. The writing was smooth, easy-to-read, and I zoomed through these sections; however, the complication begins with the third POV chapters about 35 percent into the novel. When the story becomes split between Kreios and Airel, the frustration began. I enjoyed (mostly) Kreios’s story, and it’s clear the storylines will merge in some way later; however, the writing was so different with his chapters. Kreios’s chapters were as intricate as Airel’s are informal. While the words battled for dominance, chasing each other in a labyrinth of description, I lost my interest somewhat. I wonder how teen readers will deal with that?
3 Stars

Book Review: Tax Cut by Michelle Lynn Seigfried

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I once read an article that outlined the difference between mystery and suspense. According to the Simon Wood’s article “9 Tips to Writing Suspense Fiction” (posted on Writersdigest.com), mystery begins with the crime while suspense works almost to avoid it. Wood uses the example of a presidential assassination. In a mystery, the murder takes place immediately, and the characters try to deduce who committed the crime. In a suspense novel with the same assassination, someone discovers the plot and works diligently to prevent the crime from occurring, ending in a massive crescendo where the good guys swoop in and—usually—foil the would-be assassin. Tax Cut does a bit of both.
The “whodunit” with Vinny begins Chelsey’s voyage down mystery lane, but she soon finds more conspiracy than a Jack Ryan movie. Other than the dreaded standing in line at the DMV, I have zero experience with county or city government, and if all the espionage in this novel is any indication of the depravity of local politics, I think I’m good with my limited knowledge. There wasn’t a great deal of “shop talk” in regards to government mumbo-jumbo, which kept me from getting too lost in the jargon, and the story is a true jigsaw puzzle of interlocking crime. I enjoyed how Babs’s story is mixes with the happenings.
But while the story is complex, I had some issues with stilted dialogue and overly embellished description. A couple of things were wince-worthy. Some of the chapters were written in third-person POV from the bad guys’ perspective, and the dialogue literally used the tag “the first killer said.” I also cringed then just downright hated the characters’ use of “eff” in place of the actual word. It’s a murder mystery. Be realistic and use the real deal or don’t use it at all. Cursing is cursing even if you use a euphemism. I also found some things unrealistic. For example, Bonnie fires a gun in the middle of a city to scare off a group of tween boys who call her a cougar. Even if it’s the ghetto, that’s a bit of an overreaction then they hang around to question someone rather than hightailing it out of there. Another issue I had was with Chelsey’s treatment of the “Nero” situation. Chelsey has survived a traumatic happening in book one. She was held at gunpoint by a crazy citizen, yet she puts up with Nero showing up at her house and sending her videos of himself partially dressed? That just didn’t make sense to me regardless of her feeble excuse that he’s “harmless.” She should watch a few episodes of Dateline. Those women always end up on the wrong side of dead.
Overall, it wasn’t my favorite read, but I respect the complexity of the plot.
3 Stars

Book Review: Sadie's War by Jayelle Cochran

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Sadie’s War is an interesting beginning to a promising series. I’m a huge fan of the whole mutant experience. The idea of an outcast making her way in a harsh society combined with Sadie’s emotional baggage makes for a unique coming-of-age novel. When Sadie is abandoned by her mother Downtown, she has little to no experience with the real world. In her struggle to understand this alien world around her, the reader experiences the same confusion and fear. Her blindness increases her bewilderment and adds an extra layer to her dire situation. Her story was both touching and shocking, and when she finally allows Fester to break through her mistrust, the love blooming between them creates an entirely new story.
I did have some issues with the pacing, however. The story was slow to develop with little action for long sections and a great deal of rehashing the same or similar “thoughts”. Sadie’s brainwashing (from her parents) is obviously a huge issue, and I realize Sadie can’t flip a feeling switch and turn it off, but she teeters with her trust issues so much that I found myself skimming large paragraphs restating the same thing to the point of tediousness. The novel lagged because of this. Another problem is the “gutter” dialect. Michael’s dialogue was so convoluted that even reading it aloud proved ineffectual at times. It seemed like overkill. The reader can understand his lack of education as well as the effect of the setting without so much dialect. It slowed down the reading and frustrated me completely.
However, the story is unique in a saturated market, and overall, it was good.
3.5 Stars

Review of The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmieri

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most beautifully written novels I’ve read in a long time. Very quickly, I fell in love with the setting and the characters. I’m from the South, and it’s so refreshing to see a novel that portrays that environment in a positive light. The Faulkneresque aphorisms and slow-moving style were absolutely captivating. Seeing the power in nature and the connection to the land is a huge part of the novel, and anyone who’s spent time in that area knows how true that connection is. The novel shows the value in every living thing, even the trees, and not in a strange hippy way.
Byrd is the most intriguing character. I loved this kid! She’s a twist between Fancy Nancy and that chick from Beetlejuice. She’s described as an “old soul,” a description that truly fits her. Wise beyond her eleven years, she spouts truth at every turn. You genuinely believe this kid is powerful.
I did have a few issues, but they were nitpicky things like Wyn’s name. Each time someone used her full name, I was frustrated trying to figure out how to pronounce it correctly. I also became a little aggravated with the flashbacks. They are essential to the plot, but the timing bothered me some. Sometimes I became a little lost in who knew what as well. I had to go back and reread to see which characters had given which piece of information. Every character has secrets, and all of those secrets had to be unraveled, but again, this was something I loved at the same time.
4.5 Stars

Review of Hold Her Down by Kathryn R. Biel

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I’m really torn with this one. I completely identified with Elizabeth on some levels. What mother hasn’t felt like she’s lost her identity to her children, husband, job, and home? Biel’s description of the balancing act between mother, teacher, and wife is spot-on. Tiptoeing through the mine field of social engagements and, well, life in general can be treacherous. Add to that mix a controlling husband like Peter, and it’s no wonder Elizabeth nearly succumbs to her misery, but the lack of confidence and the constant uncertainty she feels becomes zapped my enjoyment and my connection with her. I began to agree with her opinion of herself with all the self-debasing. The tennis match of her perpetual angst is tedious. Her marriage is working, her marriage is over—it is exhausting. What she needs is a good anti-depressant and a hobby. I found it a bit repetitious.
I had issues with the writing as well. The prologue felt stilted and could have been worked into the plot. I like a novel that shows instead of tells, and I just didn’t see that in this one. The final scenes seem cliché. I love when the protagonist gets her happy ending but not when it simply falls in her lap. The passivism of every major event irritated me. However, I can’t deny that I could, at times, identify with the main character.
3 stars

Review of The Bastard by Inez Kelley

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This novel really surprised me—in a good way! Inez Kelley has created a mixture of history, science fiction, and romance. I’m a history buff, so I loved the way the novel takes those historical elements and infuses them with a supernatural twist. The concept behind the novel is carefully plotted and unique, and I could not put it down.
The background info was extensive, though, and pretty complicated. I did get a little frustrated keeping up the rules of the Vangeli and the Vachangeli, the Forsaken versus the Righteous, the Scion and the Scionim. However, when I stopped trying to figure it all out and just enjoyed the story, I found likable characters who were both good and bad, realistic yet infamous. There was a strange combination of reverence and filth. It had some moments of deprived debauchery, which bothered me some, but I enjoyed the characters’ backstories. Discovering the “who and what” of the Forsaken was like finding a treat. I tried to guess the identities of these men and what history they carried, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
4 stars

Book Review: The Girl with the Blood Red Lips by VB Marlowe

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I love the “retelling” genre. I love allusion and the notion of taking a very old story and restyling it, but there is something to be said about subtly. I almost want to be able to read a retelling without seeing the obvious signs of a retelling. I like to find little gems of the original story. This novel wasn’t like that. It was an in-your-face restyling of the fairytale of Snow White to the point of being irksome. So many things bothered me about the novel.
Neva has been sentenced to high school hell, forced to relive the ages of fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen. She has an inability to look into a mirror and a propensity for anything apple-ish. It seemed that every scene involved an apple or something apple flavored. I get it. She’s Snow White. The repetitious use of these things seemed insulting to the reader. It is a YA fiction, but the audience of this novel isn’t stupid. They will see the similarity without the proverbial beating a dead horse.
Also, I work in a school. The amount of paperwork is overwhelming at times. How has Neva managed to change schools this many times with no paperwork? When her three years are up, she and her father just move, change names, and start somewhere else. That didn’t make sense to me. We don’t live in the Dark Ages. There is no way they could logically do this. Henry brought another set of issues. (SPOILER ALERT) How is Henry never seen by the neighbors? He sits on their side of a fence with a radio sometimes, yet he’s not seen? He comes and goes in Neva’s house near the end, yet her “father,” a huntsman, never sees him? How is he able to come and go like this?
Many elements felt like afterthoughts. The huntsman’s desire for hearts is weird, and he’s so secondary to the story, like he’s thrown in for only the purpose of having an adult. The Red Witches’ story was odd as well. When Neva finally confronts the witch, the witch informs her that she is prohibited from killing a princess by a curse? There just wasn’t a lot of foreshadowing.
I had a hard time getting a read on Neva. She seemed tough and smart sometimes but really naïve other times. In the scene where Neva is taken to the fair after hours, no alarm bells go off when she sits on the lap of a boy she doesn’t know. She’s supposed to be over two hundred years old, but this doesn’t seem odd to her?
The whole thing seemed disjointed, and I found myself scanning just to finish.
2 Stars