I read this as required reading for a graduate school course, and I found this to be quite educational and enjoyable.
This short nonfiction book focuseI read this as required reading for a graduate school course, and I found this to be quite educational and enjoyable.
This short nonfiction book focuses on how libraries can accommodate teens and their needs in a library environment.
The chapters of this novel focus on topics such as space, programming, service dynamics, rules, privacy, and a fun lightning round at the end on common issues and concerns. As an MLIS student with no experience in a library setting beyond volunteering in circulation, I found the subject matter very important and illuminating.
First and foremost, teen services have to focus on the teens themselves. This book provided some insight to avoid many common pitfalls. One of the central ideas throughout is that teens need to be able to contribute to their own programming, to tell the library system what their interests and needs are (which admittedly is easier said than done). There's so much more to teen services than just the collection, and I appreciated all the great learning opportunities, scenarios, and food for thought presented.
I also truly enjoyed that this book was easy to read and understand, as many graduate textbooks can feel overly written and poorly edited to be understood by the average adult.
Ultimately, this book is great for MLIS students, existing librarians needing a fresh take on teen services, or anyone interested in how libraries try to meet the needs of teens in today's changing landscape....more
This conclusion to The Altered series totally blew my mind!
Griffin and Jarod have escaped Plum Island and Dr. Traegor, only to find thatWow, wow, WOW!
This conclusion to The Altered series totally blew my mind!
Griffin and Jarod have escaped Plum Island and Dr. Traegor, only to find that they're too late. The world has changed yet again with a new wave of the Zorna flu, but who is left, and can this apocalypse even be stopped? With no other option, Jarod and Griffin flee to Florida, back where it all began.
Okay, so what really worked for me was the plot and premise of this installment. The gloves are truly off. There are no more reassimilation centers, no group meetings for the Altered, no bandages and kisses from your mom, nothing! Everything is chaos. I also loved that this series came back full circle and now Griffin has to go back where it all started. There's something poetic about that, and it really worked for me.
Griffin and Jarrod have been changed. To what is the main mystery, and there's some serious cause for concern. This made the book move along, and I think Griffin did everything he truly could to contain his infected nature.
Jarrod on the other hand embraced his brutal rage and complicated things many a time. I liked the constant tension this created between him and Griffin.
Griffin truly came to terms with everything in this novel, and that really fulfilled what I was hoping would happen.
The plot was great with lots of action. Griffin and Jarrod are heading hundreds of miles through a zombie-infested wasteland, so there are plenty of dangerous battles, traps, and discoveries along the way. I like that we finally got to experience a long romp in the outside untamed world and the desperation that comes along with it.
And that ending? All the feels!
If you love the living dead, you've gotta get your hands on this series. It's truly amazing!...more
Four fantastic stars go to this entertaining LGBT horror novel!
In this book we follow the aftermath of a breakup between David and his publisher's sonFour fantastic stars go to this entertaining LGBT horror novel!
In this book we follow the aftermath of a breakup between David and his publisher's son Luca. David has retreated to the wilderness in a house called Bone Hallow for some piece of mind and to make his big comeback as a horror author. But when strange things start to happen, David has to consider that he may no longer be alone or safe. Is he losing his mind, or is there really someone or something lurking in the shadows watching him?
I really loved the premise of this book, especially the fact that the main characters were gay and dealing with some serious emotional wounds. We don't get to see that enough, especially in the horror genre.
David and Luca were fun characters to get to know. David is a nonbeliever and Luca has always been a believer, so there was a nice juxtaposition in their personalities that kept things interesting. Throughout the novel we got some glimpses of what happened after the affair was exposed, and although I would've liked to see a bit more of their happy days together, the scandal of their situation was really engaging.
The atmosphere of this novel was tense, and I loved the sense of mystery throughout. The moors David travels to have this ominous feel to them that doesn't let up, and I loved all the chilling moments.
If you're looking for a solid scary read, definitely give this book a try!...more
I loved the first book in this series, and I loved this installment just as much!
Two years after the events of the first novel, Griffin's life has chaI loved the first book in this series, and I loved this installment just as much!
Two years after the events of the first novel, Griffin's life has changed quite a bit. He's got an Altered girlfriend named Amber and a job as a janitor, but life is far from perfect. The politics surrounding the Altered are increasingly heated, people discriminate against him and his kind daily, and Amber seems to be pulling away from him. To top it all off, a surprise visit from Dr. Holston suggests that the Altereds' struggles may be even worse in the near future. Can Griffin help sort out this mess and avoid catastrophe, or is history doomed to repeat itself?
What worked most for me in this book was the worldbuilding. The first novel had me aching to know more about this alternate version of Earth on the outside, and I got that and so much more . The politics, how the Altered situation was handled, everyday life, every little detail was engaging and kept me coming back for more.
Griffin seems to have settled into his new life, but he is forced into action with Dr. Holston's visit and this brings about some really great character depth and progression, especially in his relationship with Amber.
I really loved the parts with little Tony in them. He is an enigma and also super cute! His Altered mom Crystal care for him shines through. Eugene was gross, but he's kind of that gross methy kinda guy so that felt authentic to me regardless of the ick factor.
Plot was really important in this book, especially with the events that occur and how they ramp up. I liked that we spent more time in the present since we established Griffin's past, and it made this story feel even more cohesive and easier to follow. There was plenty of action throughout and some shocking developments I didn't see, and I love how that kept me on the edge of my seat.
If you want a great, epic zombie adventure, you can't get much better than this!...more
Man oh man did I enjoy this epic middle grade adventure!
This book focuses on a young girl named Celia. When her parents leave town and an earthq4.5/5
Man oh man did I enjoy this epic middle grade adventure!
This book focuses on a young girl named Celia. When her parents leave town and an earthquake shatters any hope of communication or a way to get back to her, strange things start to happen. Odd noises persist, and strange kids start roaming the hallways of her apartment building. Will Celia finally make the friends she's always dreamed of having, or is there more to these kids and this earthquake than meets the eye?
What really made this book a winner for me was the characters. Celia is a great main character and easy to relate to. She's a bit of a misfit among her classmates and she struggles to find any friends, but she's also a resourceful, smart young girl. She had a lot of progression throughout the novel and learned how to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in.
I loved all the Littles and the uniqueness to each one of them. Demetri was my favorite, and I loved the bond he and Celia formed and how unbreakable it was. The hunters were just as interesting, though I favored the Littles more.
The writing flowed really well from chapter to chapter and was super easy to read and binge.
The magic system in this novel also worked wonderfully for me. These awful monsters called Bigs controlled the Littles as their slaves, but in return they take on their attributes and have magic. There was also a ton of creativity in the traits of these beings that made each one extremely unique.
The plot was full of twists and turns, and that ending? I absolutely loved it!
If you need a middle grade departure from reality, you've got to give this one a try!...more
I love Duncan and his whimsical adventures, and this book was such a fun continuation of his epic journey.
After the events of the last novel, Zin's ciI love Duncan and his whimsical adventures, and this book was such a fun continuation of his epic journey.
After the events of the last novel, Zin's circus has temporarily joined forces with Prince's in an effort to mentor the less-experienced business owner. But with Fergus's antics concerning a beauty product, mysterious men lurking around the grounds, and an act that goes terribly wrong, it looks like Duncan has his hands full again.
Every now and again, you need a lighthearted read to cleanse your palate. Painter is always a great choice if that's what you're looking for, and this book was especially puntastic. I couldn't help but smile throughout this read and I loved how easily immersed I was in this fantasy world.
Duncan and his handler Cordelia take the spotlight once again, and their banter has never been better. There were so many great funny moments between the two of them, and it really made the book flow flawlessly. Duncan had some surprising developments (not telling!) that added extra dimension to his character, and I hope Painter focuses on these going forward.
Fergus's antics were hilarious, and I love how he kept drawing others into his issues only to make things worse, especially when a date with a beautiful unicorn is on the line.
The mystery element was also pretty darn great. It started out subtle, then slowly gained prominence as things developed and more information was gathered.
All in all, I had a great time with this new release, and I hope Duncan's adventures are far from over. I need more!...more
You won't find a bigger fan of Something is Killing the Children than me, so when I heard about this I had to read it, stat! Unfortunately, this graphYou won't find a bigger fan of Something is Killing the Children than me, so when I heard about this I had to read it, stat! Unfortunately, this graphic novel left me with some mixed feelings.
In a nutshell, this graphic novel focuses on the House of Slaughter within the Order of St. George and the issues they've faced in the past and present. Jessica is Erica and Aaron's mentor, but Aaron just isn't cutting it when it comes to his training. Things get even more complicated when a white mask named Jace ends up being his roommate, beginning a long journey of self-discovery, love, and heartache for the both of them.
Alright, so the premise really worked for me and drew me in. Up until this point, we've seen very little of Jessica, and Aaron has been little more than a side note in Erica's journey, so I was excited about that. I also liked the idea of chiseling out more of the dynamics of the Order of St. George and the politics within. Lastly, we really need more LGBT romances in popular fiction, so I was eager about all of these things. What I think broke the camel's back was the execution of all of these things.
As a character, I wanted to like Aaron. He's sensitive, gay, and sticks out in his dangerous environment. In the end though, he was disappointing. Over the course of the graphic novel, people are continuously telling him he needs to toughen up in order to survive the Order, which is actually sound advice. Aaron doesn't listen and even goes out of his way to tell others that he has emotions. That's fine and dandy, but in his situation he really does need to focus on his training.
He doesn't really show much drive throughout which makes him seem weak, and even when he finds something to fight for, his efforts just don't really seem to do much. I didn't like this portrayal, especially since his character is gay. LGBT individuals aren't weak or overly emotional.
Jace was a strong individual and I did enjoy the romance element, but it didn't make up for Aaron's shortcomings.
We did get to see more of the rituals and ceremonies concerning the Order, especially with the totems, but it left me wanting more. I'm assuming the overall state of the monster situation is something that will be revealed in time, but even a hint would be appreciated. I also didn't understand why there was competition between the white and black masks when the overall goal is still to kill monsters. There could've been a bit more clarity there.
Overall, this graphic novel didn't quite hit the mark. I do look forward to continuing this expansion (the next volume is a different story than this one from what I've heard), but my expectations will be lower than the main series....more
This is the fifth book in the Starfell series, and it was another solid magic-filled read.
After stopping Endora in the Oakwrath Thicket, Fable and friThis is the fifth book in the Starfell series, and it was another solid magic-filled read.
After stopping Endora in the Oakwrath Thicket, Fable and friends are determined to restore her grandfather's memories and free Brennus's parents by traveling to the Windswept Mountains and collecting a phoenix's ashes. Can Fable and her allies succeed against the prying eyes of the magic-fearing folkvar colony and ominous revelations about Fable's magic?
With a series this long, it's hard to keep character progression going, but Renwick has really pulled out all the stops. Fable continues to discover more about her mysterious past, her parents, and her magic. At first I thought her concerns were unwarranted but I was surprised at some of the things I learned along the way.
Thorn continues to be my favorite character, and it was interesting to see how she struggled and persevered around her own people who have conflicting thoughts about magic. Timothy has grown to be a great supporting character, and I like that he's stepping up to the plate with his necromancy skills.
A special shout out goes to Leena, a new and mysterious character.
The writing was super easy to read and blaze through, and the plot was a lot of fun with oodles of magic! Once things really picked up I was totally immersed, and I think the next volume of this series will be quite the epic battle for Starfell. Can't wait!
If you like middle grade books and magic adventures, you can't go wrong with this series....more
Having enjoyed a fair number of chick lit and romance books recently, I had high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately, I wasn't terribly impressed withHaving enjoyed a fair number of chick lit and romance books recently, I had high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately, I wasn't terribly impressed with this novel.
In this book we follow Olive, a biology Ph.D. student. While attending Stanford she plans to get her friend Anh to go out with her ex Jeremy by kissing another guy. However, her plans go awry when she unintentionally kisses Adam Carlsen, a young professor known for being a jerk. Soon rumor spreads and everyone assumes they are dating, but Olive can't back out of the fictional romance without risking Anh's happiness with Jeremy.
I wanted to like Olive as a main character. She obviously cares for her friend Anh very much and the fact that she was doing research on detecting pancreatic cancer quicker gave her early brownie points. However, she felt more of a caricature of a person than an actual one. There was something juvenile and spastic in her behavior that made me doubtful of the fact that she was supposed to be in her mid-twenties, especially given her troubled past. Perhaps if she was younger her behavior would be more believable.
Adam as the love interest was alright, but he seemed a little vanilla and I didn't understand why others like Anh and Olive kept assuming he was a jerk. They may have heard he wasn't the nicest instructor from other students, but his actions didn't reflect that enough, so I didn't find him completely believable either.
The plot was interesting enough, and I liked that it wasn't completely centered on the romance. On the other hand, the abundance of romantic scenes didn't really work for me since I couldn't fully get behind the characters. I just couldn't get all that excited about the developments along the way. The romance felt heavy handed and predictable for my taste.
Ultimately, this wasn't my cup of tea. That being said, I think a die-hard romance fan would still enjoy this book....more
This is my first Christian fiction read in quite some time, and although this read wasn't perfect, I did find it enjoyable.
The book centers on Kate O'This is my first Christian fiction read in quite some time, and although this read wasn't perfect, I did find it enjoyable.
The book centers on Kate O'Malley, a hostage negotiator. She sees the darkness in humans every day, but when a hostage situation at a bank goes awry she crosses paths with FBI agent Dave Richman. Their journeys become entangled as the crisis opens a can of worms, and soon the two find themselves having feelings for each other. There's only one thing. Dave can only see a future relationship with a person of faith. Can Kate conquer her own demons to find the faith while they sort this increasingly complex crime out?
Some things really worked for me in this novel.
There was an interesting mix of genres here: Christian fiction, suspense, romance, and mystery. Each element contributed to the overall story and made it unique. I liked that the romance started out subtle and didn't overpower the story. I was hesitant about the Christian element, but overall it worked well. It only became a bit much for me near the end, but I am especially sensitive to religion.
Kate was a great main character. I liked her viewpoint from the beginning, and she had a lot of progression throughout. Her journey was learning to let others in and to stop making assumptions about the world, especially given her career as a hostage negotiator.
Dave was alright, but I didn't like how he tried to forcibly change Kate here and there. The author used this as a lesson for Christians not to force peoples' beliefs to their own, but I think a different approach could have been more successful.
The plot was fun and I enjoyed the mystery of who was responsible for the terrible acts that occurred. There were plenty of twists and turns along the way that made it fun, though I would've preferred knocking out some of the suspects earlier on. About three-quarters through there were still so many suspects and it could get confusing with all the details about each one's life.
Ultimately, not a bad read. Definitely something to try out if you like complex mysteries or Christian fiction....more
I had high hopes for this read, and I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.
This chick lit novel focuses on two sisters, Maggie and Rose Fell4.5/5
I had high hopes for this read, and I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.
This chick lit novel focuses on two sisters, Maggie and Rose Feller. Having grown up without a true mother figure, they've become wildly different individuals. Rose is an attorney while Maggie lives life by the seat of her pants, taking advantage of others to get what she wants. But when Rose takes pity on Maggie after some unfortunate events, things spiral out of control and a great rift arises between the two of them. Can the two sisters make amends, or will their family be forever broken?
Everything really worked for me with this novel.
The characters knocked it out of the park. Both Maggie and Rose were intriguing unique individuals with depth, and I enjoyed following their journey. Rose is the more stable of the two, and being a Taurus I rooted more for her. There were also some parallels between her life and mine that made it a bit personal for me, so I was invested. Maggie is wild and seemingly untamable, definitely someone you can understand if you've made it through your terrible twenties.
The stepmonster Sydelle was awful, and I loved the sisters' grandmother Ella and the supportive role she played.
The plot was closely tied to the film adaptation, and I enjoyed that, finding myself comparing the two every step of the way. Maggie's journey was quite a bit different and that kept me on my feet the whole time. There was also a lot of drama throughout that made things exciting.
The writing was excellently done and very easy to read, and I truly had a great time with this read. If you've ever had some family drama, I think you can definitely enjoy this book. Give it a try!...more
This was a fun psych thriller despite some mixed feelings here and there.
In a nutshell, this novel is centered on the relocated daughter of a ser3.5/5
This was a fun psych thriller despite some mixed feelings here and there.
In a nutshell, this novel is centered on the relocated daughter of a serial killer named Milly. Having turned her mother in for her inhuman deeds, Milly anxiously awaits her mother's trial as the star witness. As she waits she has been taken in by a foster family, but discovers that her new life may be just as hellish as her former in different ways. Can Milly adjust to everyday life, or is she destined to follow in her mother's footsteps?
What worked most for me was the psychological thriller element and premise. Every chapter felt tense and uncertain, and I was on pins and needles the entire time. There is something about the prerogative of this young woman that was unsettling and frankly, horrifying. I found myself worrying when she might fully snap, and you could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
I read via audiobook, and the narrator Imogen Church did a masterful job. She truly embodied our troubled Milly and other characters with distinct accents and voices. I found myself hooked to this audiobook, and I didn't want to stop listening.
The writing was beautiful and poetic in spots without verging on purple prose, and I enjoyed that.
Milly's character itself was an enigma. She was hard to read, and the reader is forced to try and figure out the truth for themselves as bits and pieces are revealed chapter by chapter.
That being said, I was disappointed with the other characters. The foster family she's been relocated to seems ill equipped to handle a foster child, let alone the daughter of a serial killer.
Mike is something of a counselor who is assisting with the prosecution of Milly's mother, but he's so preoccupied with that that he turns a blind eye to anything else going on. His wife Saskia was a total mess, dependent on a mixture of drugs and alcohol, and their daughter Phoebe was a truly horrendous bully and one-dimensional. I don't know how they earned their spot as a foster family, but it should've been taken away long before the events of this novel. Their characters didn't make enough sense to me.
There's also a lot of bullying in this novel, enough to grate on even my nerves and warrant a warning for prospective readers.
In the end, this was an entertaining novel despite its faults, and I think a lover of psychological thrillers would still enjoy this....more
I've been a fan of graphic novels for some time now, and I was excited to try this one out since I haven't read anything by this author. Though t3.5/5
I've been a fan of graphic novels for some time now, and I was excited to try this one out since I haven't read anything by this author. Though this was an enjoyable read, it ended up being a mixed bag for me.
This graphic novel is split into two halves. The first part covers the journey of Lee Archer, a marine biologist who is recruited for a secret mission deep within the ocean. The second half fast forwards to the future and focuses on a woman named Leeward and her fight for the truth and survival. Together, these women struggle to understand the threat that is uncovered in the vast depths of the ocean.
The first thing I took note of was the art. I prefer more modern-looking artwork, and this style was something of a nostalgic throwback that reminded me of the 80s or 90s. I wasn't overly impressed at first, but it grew on me as I continued to read on.
I really enjoyed both Lee Archer and Leeward. Lee was a mom that cared deeply for her son, and she was willing to do anything to get him back. Leeward was more impulsive and quick on her feet as she fought to survive, and I loved her dolphin comrade and how it had been modified to be a weapon.
The plot really drew me in and didn't let go. I loved the element of mystery throughout as to what the threat was and what it wanted. There was a great build up in Lee's POV, and the story came to a climax in Leeward's POV. I enjoyed the action throughout, as well as the interesting combination of science fiction and horror.
My main issue with this read stems from the ending and the explanation concerning what the threat was and what it wanted. I won't spoil that for prospective readers, but it was disappointing and too sentimental for my taste. After the great build up and action I wanted more.
This graphic novel was fun in the end, and if you can handle a lackluster ending, I highly suggest checking this out....more
Not having read many contemporary romances prior, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this novel. In the end I did enjoy myself, but it wasn't a perfNot having read many contemporary romances prior, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this novel. In the end I did enjoy myself, but it wasn't a perfect read.
In this book we follow alongside Anna, who decides to embark on a long journey by boat when she receives a notification her deceased husband set before his death on her phone. Still grief-ridden by his suicide, Anna battles her emotions while searching for a new way forward in life.
Anna has had quite a rough year coping with her husband's suicide. I think that the author handled the MC's dealing of this turbulent time pretty well. I'm fairly well versed on the stages of grief, but they don't always come in the order we'd expect. This part of her characterization felt authentic.
I listened along via audiobook, and the inflection in Anna's voice felt spot on and made her character come to life a bit more than if I had read this via eBook. Numerous characters in this book had accents, and though not all of them translated the way I think they were intended, I did like most of them, especially Keane's. You just can't beat a solid Irish accent.
Along Anna's journey she finds romance, and while I enjoyed it in general, it felt a little easy to me. Anna's clearly dealing with some personal demons, but the love interest Keane was pretty much the perfect guy with very minimal flaws. I would have liked more character flaws to make it more realistic.
I found that the plot helped keep things fresh. Anna is on a sea bound journey, but she hardly knows what she's doing (her deceased husband usually handled everything), so she had to learn from experience quickly. At the same time, there was a lot of boat jargon that got confusing for me. I wasn't sure what all the parts were or what their function was, and I would've liked Anna to explain things for those who aren't educated in this way, especially since she is an amateur herself.
Ultimately, I think readers of contemporary romance will enjoy this sea bound stint, but for me there was something lacking from the experience. The writing, the characters, the plot. None of these elements really gripped me the way I'd hoped, and I believe there may be more worthy contemporary romance titles out there....more
I had a really good time with this novel despite it not being in the typical genres I go for.
This book is centered on three points of view. That of NeI had a really good time with this novel despite it not being in the typical genres I go for.
This book is centered on three points of view. That of Nella, an apothecary in the 18th century who dispenses poisons for a living, Eliza, a young maid with heart, and Caroline, a modern day woman on the brink of divorce in her ten-year marriage. As Caroline goes on her 10th anniversary vacation alone due to her husband's unfaithfulness, she soon uncovers a mystery that spans centuries. Can she put her resolve to the test and reawaken the passion she had years before to solve this mystery?
Multiple points of view are hard to pull off, but Penner did a great job of making each one distinct with its own voice.
I listened to this via audiobook while following along with an eBook, and I enjoyed the different narrators. Nella and Eliza were my favorite points of view. Nella had a deeper voice and an accent that was passionate and engaging. I was hanging on her every word. Eliza's points of view was also well done, and I enjoyed the difference in view that her youth and backstory provided. One thing I would've enjoyed more with the audiobook was a uniform pace. Nella's chapters were told at a much slower speed than Caroline's, so I had to constantly adjust the speed of the audiobook to keep things moving at a decent pace.
That being said, each character had a personal journey ahead of them, and I enjoyed the depth of character I got to see with each. The mystery element of this novel was ever present and kept me going. I bonded quickly with Nella and Eliza, and I had to know what happened to them and how things ended up.
In the end, this novel was a standout, and I highly recommend this book to those looking for a mystery with heart....more
I've rarely if ever read a crime thriller, but I was extremely pleased with this novel.
This book centers on Vanessa Castro, a mother who has jus4.5/5
I've rarely if ever read a crime thriller, but I was extremely pleased with this novel.
This book centers on Vanessa Castro, a mother who has just recently moved from Seattle to a small town called Seaside with her daughter and son. The main attraction of this tiny town is an amusement park called Wonderland, but as soon as she arrives, chaos erupts when a dead body is found on the premises. Soon after, multiple youth disappearances are brought to her attention. What on earth is going on with this town? Can she figure this awful situation out?
Hands down, this was a wonderfully executed book and I enjoyed pretty much everything about it.
Vanessa Castro is a great main character. She's a chief deputy with heart, and she truly cares about the welfare of the town and her family. I enjoyed learning more about her past in depth, especially the gritty parts that may make her character a bit more questionable. Despite her colorful past, she perseveres and dedicates herself to her new job and the people of Seaside, and that was very honorable.
There are other character point of views, that of her daughter Ava, love interest Oscar, and a young man named Blake, and while they were enjoyable, they didn't make as much of an impact that Vanessa did.
The plot had me going from beginning to end. The allure of a crime thriller is that there will be mystery and plot twists at every turn, and this book fulfilled that expertly. As I read on, I was increasingly dedicated to finding out who was killing and kidnapping the locals and what their motive was. There were so many great developments along the way that I wasn't able to correctly guess who the culprit was, and I really loved that.
Ultimately, this is a solid crime thriller that any bookworm can appreciate. Definitely give this book a chance if you can!...more
I greatly disliked this novel, enough that I had to cool down before writing this review. Contemporary is not a genre I thought I would like, and in tI greatly disliked this novel, enough that I had to cool down before writing this review. Contemporary is not a genre I thought I would like, and in this case my gut instinct was correct.
This novel centers on a man named Anthony Peardew. He's a strange fellow that collects miscellaneous discarded things lying around as he goes about his day. Laura has been cleaning Anthony's house for some time, but when Anthony dies she is shocked to learn that he has willed her his house on one condition. She must try to reunite the lost objects with the owners.
There were a few things I did enjoy about this novel.
The premise was intriguing starting out, and Anthony's narrative did pull me in before he died. I also liked the diversity of all the characters. Very inclusive. There is a supernatural element to this book, and those few moments I found the most entertaining.
That being said, I wanted a bit more depth from the characters. We do get to know them from their interactions, but much of that is just surface-level observations. There was some romance and that was somewhat enjoyable, but I wanted more from it.
The plot was sorely lacking. After Anthony dies and makes his special request clear to Laura through his will, she took so long getting around to the task at hand that I wondered why she wasn't moving faster on it.
Finally, around the halfway point of the book she actually starts to form a plan around finding the owners, but shortly after there's yet another long pause. About three quarters through the book the plan is finally carried out, but by that point I was extremely upset with Laura. Her taking so long to do this task made her seem very self-centered as if she had all the time in the world to get around to it. And everything between these plot points was just a bunch of filler. It was a struggle to keep reading.
In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to care about these stale characters, and I doubt I'll be giving contemporary fiction another try in the near future. If you love contemporary fiction, find a book with an actual plot, not this one! ...more
This was my first ever Western, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel.
This novel takes place in the gold rush era of the 180This was my first ever Western, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel.
This novel takes place in the gold rush era of the 1800s and centers on The Sister Brothers, Eli and Charlie. Lackeys of the kingpin known as The Commodore, they carry out his most grizzly tasks, collecting bounties on those who have wronged him. The Sisters Brothers current bounty is for a Hermann Warm, but this journey will test their tenacity, courage, and reveal their true moral fiber along the way.
For this read I primarily listened via audiobook while keeping track of my progress with an eBook version. The narrator for this audiobook is John Pruden, and I enjoyed his southern accent as well as all the variances in his voice for different characters. I typically struggle with audiobooks in maintaining focus, but once I got used to the narrator I found it quite enjoyable.
The Sisters Brothers made interesting main characters. Eli is the softer of the two, caring and loving where Charlie is brash and relentless in his dealings. Their differing personalities made an interesting mix, and their relationship was complicated as most siblings can probably agree. Both characters had a nice amount of depth and growth along this journey that was pleasing to experience.
The plot seemed simple at first, but evolved along the way with surprising twists and turns that kept my attention. I enjoyed the dangerous shootouts that occurred as well as the element of mystery surrounding Hermann Warm. There were some chapters that dragged and felt unimportant compared to others, and I also felt the writing didn't quite jump off of the page enough to fully captivate me, but there was quality to the writing and it had a nice flow that will keep any reader engaged.
Overall, this was a solid western that impressed me, and I think both fans and nonfans of the genre would enjoy this work....more
Having had an aversion to anything related to Jane Austen for most of my life, I fully expected to greatly dislike this novel. While I still do not caHaving had an aversion to anything related to Jane Austen for most of my life, I fully expected to greatly dislike this novel. While I still do not care for romanticism as a style of writing, I did see some value in this work.
We follow along Jane Austen and her family as they make a trip towards the seaside village of Lyme. But on the way rampant weather endears Jane and her family to the care of a mysterious Mr. Sidmouth. Once safely in Lyme several days later, Jane and family begin to enjoy their holiday, but it comes to a swift end when a man's body is found nearby. Can Jane find the murderer of this man or is she just wasting her blissful days away from home?
Several things intrigued me with this novel. I've never read a novel about Jane Austen, so it was good to finally meet this famed woman and what her disposition was. She was intelligent and could easily rival her male counterparts. She's something of an oddity in these times, as most other women don't possess her cerebral skills to put clues together and solve the injustices of man.
I liked that there was an element of mystery throughout this novel that moved it along, and a much more subtle element of romance. I also favored the stormy temperament of this seaside village and how ominous it was in relation to some of the discoveries Jane made along the way. The weather itself seemed to sympathize with her plight.
There were some things I didn't like. As I said before Jane is an intelligent woman, but most other females we encounter along the way weren't as three-dimensional. It would have been refreshing to see another woman on Jane's level.
I wish the mystery would've moved at a faster pace. The beginning felt slow and dragged after a while. Also, I feel that anyone not accustomed to Austen's style of writing may be confused and have a hard time at reading this. The writing is flowing and pretty, but borderlines on purple prose and can lack clarity and directness. Some times I couldn't figure out what someone was referring to and simply had to move on.
Overall, this was an intriguing fictional account of Jane Austen's adventures, and though I will most likely not give this specific type of novelization another try I think lovers of Jane Austen's work that want more mystery than romance might enjoy this....more
Considering I don't read a lot of chick lit, I was blown away by this read.
In this novel, we follow Becky, a 25 year old in the UK who loves to s4.5/5
Considering I don't read a lot of chick lit, I was blown away by this read.
In this novel, we follow Becky, a 25 year old in the UK who loves to shop. The only problem is she doesn't know when to stop. As she continues to dodge collection attempts, Becky struggles to find control of her shopping habit and her place in life.
It's hard to know where to start with this review. A lot of elements really meshed well with this book.
The first thing that comes to mind is the conversational tone of the book. Kinsella has created a narrative that draws you in and doesn't let go. Our MC Becky speaks to the reader, and it's like having one of your girl friends to gab with, making it very entertaining and full of drama and exaggerations, which I love.
I listened to the audiobook for a few chapters of this book, and I actually liked it despite usually having difficulty focusing with the format. The voice was female, British, and sounded young enough to be Becky. I also think she personified her through tone really well too.
Becky is a fun, quirky character. She is young and foolhardy, and while older adults may find her actions a bit unbelievable, I remember a time in my early 20s when I acted very much like her. This and other flaws in her character made her easy to relate to.
Through her actions, Becky came off as a younger Amelia Bedelia who keeps approaching things terribly wrong in life, and I found it really comical and engaging. Its like watching a train wreck that you can't take your eyes off of while cramming your mouth full of popcorn. The drama was great, and I enjoyed all the plot twists along the way. It made the journey unpredictable and riveting.
Ultimately, this novel is a great start to a series, and I think anyone who's survived their 20s can appreciate Becky's misguided adventures. Definitely pick this book up!...more
This is the second western read I've had that I can remember, and overall I enjoyed this novel despite having some mixed feelings.
This book cente3.5/5
This is the second western read I've had that I can remember, and overall I enjoyed this novel despite having some mixed feelings.
This book centers on Ada, a young woman that just got married. Life is bright with her sisters and midwife mother, but after a year of being married and not conceiving a child, she finds herself unceremoniously thrown out and forced to leave everything she knows for being accused of witchcraft. Devastated, Ada embarks on a journey to find safety, purpose, and tolerance in the harsh wild west.
There was plenty to like with this novel.
First and foremost, the wild west theme felt fairly authentic to me. The beginning of the novel may not have had much reference, but throughout the novel it became more immersive. I also loved the LGBT representation. It's almost unheard of to see an LGBT western novel, but the theme was prominent and important to this book. There was a real sense of found family, and it was really nice to see bonds form over the novel.
Ada herself was likeable enough, and though I found her a bit vanilla for my taste, she progressed into a more likable individual by the end with courage and purpose. Almost all of the other characters were female and LGBT, especially The Kid (whether you want to believe it's Billy the Kid or not is up to you), which was a nice spin on things from a historical perspective.
The plot was fun, especially the shootouts and wild west shenanigans . I wouldn't say there were many surprising twists, but it was an adventure with a decent amount of thrills along the way, so I'm not very disappointed.
The main flaw with this book was the writing for me. It never quite jumped off the pages and gripped me. Yes, I understood what was happening and cared a little about the characters and their plight, but there was a lack of emotion within the passages, and it just didn't take it to that next level.
Everything said, this was still a fun book. If you like LGBT of western novels and want a change of scenery, you might enjoy this one!...more
I'm extremely disappointed with this read, enough to have to take a breather before collecting my thoughts. That's saying a lot for me.
Nothing really I'm extremely disappointed with this read, enough to have to take a breather before collecting my thoughts. That's saying a lot for me.
Nothing really worked for me at all, and I'll get to that in a moment. The general synopsis is that a woman named Ayoola keeps killing men. Her sister Korede cleans up after her, unsure of when the chaos will end.
So first and foremost, I believe this novel is an example of branding gone wrong. From the blurb and GoodReads, this book was labelled as thriller or mystery, maybe with a splash of humor. I got none of that.
The mystery element is minimal at best because Korede gives most everything away up front as the narrator. Sure, there are bits and pieces of information scattered throughout the novel from the past, but none of it was groundbreaking or surprising.
The thriller element doesn't work because within the first few pages we know that Ayoola is causing all the chaos. She has an MO (modus operandi), and it becomes very predictable what's going to happen.
The humor was practically nonexistent, except for me rolling my eyes at the few weak attempts scattered sparsely throughout the book.
The characters are unrelatable and unlikeable. Korede is far too flawed to be believable. I did learn about her and Ayoola's troubled past, and while I appreciated that she still fell flat as a character. Korede despises Ayoola for her beauty and success with men, but still cleans up after her murders because of a sense of familial obligation. The conflict between these two things did make sense on some level, but Korede's continued excuses to stop herself from intervening were exhausting as a reader.
Ayoola was a terrible villain. She's gotten comfortable with Korede cleaning up after her and will do whatever she wants whenever she wants. She's prone to pouting about when she can start posting on social media about happy things when she just murdered someone the other day. Annoyance and frustration don't even begin to explain how aggravating this character was. Villains should have some trait/s that others can find endearing or menacing, something to make them interesting. Ayoola just felt vapid and juvenile.
All other characters were awful, especially to Korede. They all take turns in blaming her for not being better to her little sister while being so ignorant to the situation that it's a wonder civilization doesn't simply collapse upon itself. People are not this unintelligent, and I took offense to it.
Overall, this read truly upset me, and I do not recommend this novel unless you like torture....more
I can't recall having read an LGBT thriller before, but after this read I've definitely got to try some more!
This book centers on a gay couple, OliverI can't recall having read an LGBT thriller before, but after this read I've definitely got to try some more!
This book centers on a gay couple, Oliver and Nathan. Oliver has grown bored with his relationship, so one night he goes to a bathhouse called Haus. He quickly meets a charming individual at the bar, but things take a dark turn when he's attacked in a private room. After escaping, Oliver's attacker makes it clear he isn't done with him yet on the Grindr-like app called MeetLockr. Can Oliver get rid of his unwanted stalker without ruining his relationship, or will it all come crumbling down?
Mostly everything worked for me with this novel.
I got a lot of depth from the characters involved. Oliver has a troubled past that is relatable to anyone who has known someone who suffered from substance abuse. Nathan is a doctor and was, well, bland. The complexity of their relationship was nice, and they felt three dimensional. Hector, Tom, and Kathy were great supporting characters as well.
I really enjoyed the mystery element throughout this novel. Could it be stronger? Maybe a little, but it did the job of keeping me relatively in the dark until the final conclusion. There were plenty of surprising twists and turns along the way that I wasn't expecting, and that kept me going.
As far as cons go, Nathan and Oliver's relationship was chaotic and cast a really dark shadow. Obviously the author isn't trying to say that all gay relationships are this troubled and tragic, but I wanted a little more positivity throughout, some glue that held Nathan and Oliver together besides their present situation. I didn't get that, and after a while it was a bit depressing.
I also would've liked Oliver to come to his senses and make better decisions earlier in the novel. I understood where he was coming from with his past, but I had to suspend disbelief a bit too much to believe a person in his situation wouldn't do the right thing earlier on.
All in all this was a fun thrilling book, and I can't wait to read more like this one!...more
I haven't read a novel primarily categorized as romance in quite a long time, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read.
In this bI haven't read a novel primarily categorized as romance in quite a long time, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read.
In this book, we follow the romance between Noah and Allie, two ambitious young individuals who share a summer that changes their lives. Viewing their past, present, and future, this tale explores the trials and tribulations of a life-long romance and its rewards.
I really didn't know what to expect, not being much of a fan of romance, but this was a great book. What I liked most about it was the balance that Sparks writing provided. My assumption was that this book would focus almost exclusively on the two main characters, their romance, and their feelings towards one another.
However, Sparks did a great job of finding balance by giving us bits about the outside world. There were nods to the eras the characters found themselves in throughout their lives, and that gave the novel extra dimension.
The writing itself was well executed. In most spots it was simple and easy to read, then at times it would get poetic, but never too much that it drew me out of the story.
Noah and Allie's connection was strong, and Sparks did a good job of giving us information in different ways to avoid info dumping. We'd glean information about their early days together through memories, dialogue, and limited telling, and that was a perfect mix for me.
This story also allowed me a closer look at Alzheimer's disease, primarily what it can look like and how it can affect individuals. Having not interacted with someone suffering from this disease, I really valued the bits of knowledge Sparks gave.
Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and how well it was executed. Whether you're a fan of romance or not, I highly suggest giving this book a try to broaden your horizons....more
This wasn't my favorite volume to date, but I still had a lot of fun.
Some time after the gruesome events of Archer's Peak, Erica Slaughter is back on This wasn't my favorite volume to date, but I still had a lot of fun.
Some time after the gruesome events of Archer's Peak, Erica Slaughter is back on the move and finds a local girl whose family has been murdered. But this time the monster is different, so different that Erica has no idea how to kill it. Can she figure it out the situation before the Order of St. George tracks her down?
My favorite part of this volume was the expansion of this universe. We are getting some hints that these monster attacks aren't isolated events, and they could even be more common than we've been led to believe. This kind of opened pandora's box for me and got me wondering what this may ramp up to. We could have some full out war in the near future!
I also liked how they reinvented the monsters we've seen so far. There's more than just the basic type, and although this variation didn't feel as scary to me, its methods were a bit different and that made things interesting. I can't wait to see more types of these monsters!
As a character, Erica's situation is becoming more and more desperate. It feels like she's losing ground against the Order of St. George, and I believe it's only a matter of time before she has to face off against them. I hope that Erica finds some new allies soon!
There was also a new creepy assassin-like character that has me a bit worried. They were very mysterious and the glimpses we got of this individual were chilling.
The plot was the main shortcoming of this graphic novel. While we got a lot of great build up, things never quite reached a climax and I was missing the goretastic bloodbaths I've become accustomed to with this series. That being said, I feel that things left off right before some pivotal battles, so I have high expectations of the next volume.
If you're a fan of this series, keep reading. It's definitely worth it...more
Maybe it's just me, but every book in this series keeps getting better. I loved every page of this novel and can't wait for the next one to come out lMaybe it's just me, but every book in this series keeps getting better. I loved every page of this novel and can't wait for the next one to come out later this year.
Alright, so Fable finally got her hands on the Blood Star at the end of the last book, and she's still having a hard time trying to connect with it. However, when a strange messenger sends them to Stonebarrow, Fable & Co. learn of a threat that threatens all of Starfell. Can they beat the insurmountable odds and find a way to triumph, or will they be forced to leave Starfell to its fate?
Okay, so first and foremost, I absolutely loved how much more worldbuilding we got in this novel. The Oakrath Thicket is a mysterious place, and it added so much depth to the struggles that Fable and her allies are going through. The rules and how things work made sense, and I just loved how magical it was. I hope we haven't seen the last of this place!
Renwick upped the stakes by a huge notch, so that really kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Fable continues to grow in this book. She's still having problems trusting her powers and her own emotions, and I think she really tackled the issue head on this time around. I'm hoping to see a more confident, optimistic Fable in the next book!
Timothy was a surprising new favorite side character of mine. I like how he is developing, and Thorn's journey had some smaller conclusions as well.
I can't wait for the next book to come out. This series is so great!...more
This read was an epic fantasy journey, and I had a ton of fun!
The novel centers on a young woman named Aster. Born deceased from a queen who died4.5/5
This read was an epic fantasy journey, and I had a ton of fun!
The novel centers on a young woman named Aster. Born deceased from a queen who died during childbirth, a necromancer named Barus takes her corpse back to his humble abode and brings her back to life. Since then he's raised her from infancy, teaching her how to help her fellow man in the ways of healing, but when a visit from the king goes awry, it starts a perilous and relentless journey for survival. Can Aster escape the men who pursue her and the crown she doesn't want?
I loved the main character Aster and Barus. Barus is kind and intelligent, and despite his physical handicap and sad circumstance he helps people with his necromancy. Aster is innocent, curious, but also stubborn, and her personality made sense given her lot in life. I enjoyed both of their journeys as the novel progressed.
Another shout out goes to Teko. I loved the Catticut people and their strange ways, but especially Teko for his lighthearted way of looking at things. It helped when situations got truly difficult.
Joreh was the only character I felt conflicted about, mainly for his fence straddling on two main ideologies, but by the end his true nature shined and I was pleased with that.
There was some great worldbuilding in this novel, and I especially loved the winter theme since it's December. The magic theme to this world is both subtle and not so subtle, and the system really worked for me.
The plot was engaging and fast paced, something I go for in my reads, and I couldn't be happier with how things turned out. If you need some winter themed fantasy in your life, you've gotta pick this one up! ...more
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