Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
10:33 PM
Monday, December 3, 2012
A broken past and a divided future can’t stop the electric connection of two teens in this “charged and romantic” (Becca Fitzpatrick), lush novel. Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.
Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.
When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.
Goodreads Summary
I have written many times, describing how much I love books that switch between points of view. Reading from different perspectives makes the story seem more alive to me and gives the characters more depth. Shannon Messenger writes from two points of view in Let the Sky Fall. She switches between Vane and Audra. Vane is the miracle boy who should have died when he was eight years old in the category five tornado that stole his family and his memories. Some mysterious girl saved him. Now, nine years later, he still sees her face and dreams about her. To Vane, she is perfect in every sense. Audra has a much lower opinion of herself. She knows that the deaths of Vane’s parents and her own father are on her hands. Audra was only a little girl when she killed them, but she will carry their murders with her forever. The mission that Audra must succeed in will help redeem her, even if nothing can truly ever make her whole. Audra must awaken Vane to his legacy. She must protect him and ensure his safety, the world depends on him.
I was never bored when reading Let the Sky Fall. Shannon Messenger starts the story by drawing her reader in and then refuses to let them go until the last page. Forbidden romance, adventure, and betrayal are all tied together in this exciting novel. Young adult readers will love Let the Sky Fall.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
12:53 AM
Friday, November 2, 2012
"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "
Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.
If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.
But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.
Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...
Goodreads Summary
I really loved this book. No, love is not the right word. ADORED! Yes, I adored this book :D
Since the last novel, Alex has become so much more mature and likable. She understands that actions produce consequences and is a little cautious. Alex is definitely easy to relate to for the average, filter-less girl. I often blurt before I think as well.
And now for the Romance! The love triangle between Alex, Seth, and Aiden is heating up. The ardor in this book will sweep you off your feet and make every guy you ever meet seem inferior. I don’t want to give too much away, but I promise, readers of this book are in for a ride. Seth and Aiden, Aiden and Seth. How can she possibly choose?
Deity is written in a way that you can imagine every scene that takes place. JLA paints a picture in your mind; reading this book is like taking part in the story. The action, drama, and suspense are killer. I am so excited for the next novel that I can hardly contain myself. From the first page I knew that I would be up all night reading. FIVE STARS!!! FIVE GLORIOUS STARS FOR THIS NOVEL!!!
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
3:23 PM
Friday, October 5, 2012
In a world constructed to absolute perfection, imperfection is difficult to understand—and impossible to hide.
Elysia is a clone, created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen year old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of teenaged clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to be created.
Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air there induces a strange, euphoric high that only the island's workers—soulless clones like Elysia—are immune to.
At first, Elysia's new life on this island paradise is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, the most privileged people in the world who should want for nothing, yearn. And, she comes to realize that beneath its flawless exterior, there is an undercurrent of discontent amongst Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care—so why are overpowering sensations clouding Elysia's mind?
If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When Elysia's one chance at happiness is ripped away from her with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.
Goodreads Summary
What if you were told that you had no soul and were instructed to always serve your owners? Elysia emerged as a sixteen-year-old girl on Demesne, an island that was created for relaxation and perfection. Demesne is staffed by clones that exist to serve their human masters. Initially, Elysia enjoys her life as a slave, but she slowly comes to realize that there is something wrong with her. Elysia experiences sensations she should not and thinks thoughts that she should not. As time passes, Elysia begins to wonder how her human masters can be unhappy on a perfect island, and is the island really as perfect as everyone wants to believe?
Seeing the world through Elysia’s eyes is interesting, she is a blank slate with no previous experience. Elysia slowly learns about herself and the world around her. I felt so bad for her because she is living in such corruption. Cohn did a great job with this novel and I hope to read more of her work. Teen girls will love this book along with most female readers.
Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.
While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.
Goodreads Summary
From the get go, I knew I would like this book. The cover alone tipped me off to expect an exciting plot and a lot of action. Evening “E.V.” Spiker is the daughter of a Biopharmaceuticals mogul-scientist. After being in a horrible accident, E.V. goes to stay at the Spiker research facility while she heals. To keep E.V. occupied, Terra Spiker, E.V.’s mother, has E.V. test new software for the company. E.V. will be “playing God” and building a Sim person on the computer by manipulating genes. Solo has lived at the Spiker research facility since he was eleven and his parents died. A computer genius, Solo knows everything and everyone associated with Spiker technology. Solo wants to take down Terra Spiker, he believes she is the reason his parents died. The attraction to E.V. that Solo feels has nothing to do with E.V., but just with the fact she is the only other person his age at the research facility. That’s what Solo has been telling himself, at least.
Although E.V. is arguably the main character of this novel, my favorite character is Terra. “Terror” Terra Spiker is driven, tough, and knows what she is doing. Her morals may be questionable, but Terra Spiker is awesome! I love and admire her. E.V. is a lot like her mother. E.V. will find a way to get what she wants and protect the people she cares about. Solo is more of a wildcard who is driven by revenge, but unconsciously seems to want to be a better person. All the characters in this book are really interesting. Eve and Adam could be loved by a teen or young adult reader of either gender. The plot and characters have a universal appeal. Grant and Applegate did a fantastic job. Eve and Adam also promises to be a series; this news put a smile on my face.
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Interview!
1) Do you have a particular interest in genetics? If not, how did you decide to write a book concerned so much with genetics?
M: Well, we have the Google over at our house.
K: The Google and the Wikipedia.
M: But actually we had a pre-existing interest in the subject -- particularly in the ethics of genetic engineering, what it means for society, what it means for our concepts of credit or blame, what it means for notions of virtue, how much this will inform child-rearing and other issues.
K: Which he learns about on the Google.
2) Did you have a favorite character to write about?
K: I think we both liked writing the mother, Terra, who of course plays the role of God the Father in our little pseudo-allegory. Extreme characters and villains are always the most fun to write.
M: I liked Solo a lot. We tend to like difficult characters. Solo isn't a fawning, slavish, secretly-watch-you-sleep kind of guy, he has an agenda, he has a mission of his own. And Eve is not there to just be the love-object. Adam, too, has problems despite being essentially perfect -- he knows there are holes in his awareness. We always want our characters to be real. Easy people are boring.
3) How do you think hearing from two different perspectives adds to a novel?
M: Mostly it's a practical thing that allows you to do first person but jump between stories.
K: It allows you to look at characters from both inside and outside. To see and understand what they think they're doing, but also to see how those actions may be interpreted differently by someone else.
4) Did this book require you to draw on any of your own experiences?
M: My experiences as a genetically-modified, super-humanly beautiful man? Yes. That was soooo my life.
K: Uh huh.
5) What can we expect from Eve and Adam?
K: More biblical, sci-fi, rom-com thriller action. In other words we haven't thought about it yet.
M: We may raise or lower the amount of either the rom or the com.
6) What is one of your favorite scenes from Eve and Adam?
M: We both love the reference to "sphincter head." For some reason that struck us as absurdly funny and we laughed about it for days. It's just a throw-away line, not really a scene.
7) Are you currently working on a novel now?
M: I'm doing edits on LIGHT, the final book in the GONE series, as well as starting THE MAGNIFICENT 12 #4.
K: I'm working on a book which is thus far nameless. But it's going to be great. Just as soon as I figure out what it is.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
1:12 AM
Friday, September 21, 2012
Growing up on Catalina Island, off the California coast, Scarlett Wenderoth has led a fairly isolated life. After her brother dies, her isolation deepens as she withdraws into herself, shutting out her friends and boyfriend. Her parents, shattered by their own sorrow, fail to notice Scarlett's pain and sudden alarming thinness. Scarlett finds pleasure only on her horse, escaping to the heart of the island on long, solitary rides. One day, as she races around a bend, Scarlett is startled by a boy who raises his hand in warning and says one word: "Stop."
The boy—intense, beautiful—is Will Cohen, a newcomer to the island. For reasons he can't or won't explain, he's drawn to Scarlett and feels compelled to keep her safe. To keep her from wasting away. His meddling irritates Scarlett, though she can't deny her attraction to him. As their relationship blossoms into love, Scarlett's body slowly awakens at Will's touch. But just when her grief begins to ebb, she makes a startling discovery about Will, a discovery he's been grappling with himself. A discovery that threatens to force them apart. And if it does, Scarlett fears she will unravel all over again.
Goodreads Summary
Sacred was a good surprise. I am not certain what the title has to do with the plot at all, but the cover represents the book very well. Scarlett’s older brother died suddenly and now her remaining family is collapsing around her. Although her dad continues to struggle through the days, Scarlett’s mom is a complete wreck. Scarlett is not doing much better than her mother. Starving herself to feel and even cutting herself a few times, Scarlett is on a downward spiral. The only part of Scarlett’s day that she truly loves is riding her horse, Delilah. A few days before her junior year of high school began, Scarlett was flying down a trail on Delilah when a strange boy named Will steps in front of her horse. After this encounter, Will always seems to appear when Scarlett truly needs him and she begins to recover from her grief. Will admits that he is drawn to her, but for reasons that are difficult to explain.
I have a lot of respect for Scarlett, even though she felt like she was dying, she kept up with her school work and tried to “live” for her family. Scarlett was drowning in pain, but still tried to exist. Will is interesting as well, but I can’t describe him too much without spoiling the book. I think Arnold drifted from her plot at times, and I am not 100% sure that the aspects of the Jewish faith she put into this novel will be understood by her intended audience. My only other complain is that Will’s character sometimes did not seem complete. There are a few scenes with Will that appear to exist strictly for drama and excitement. This book is still definitely worth reading and I am looking forward to the sequel. Sacred earns three and a half out of five stars from me.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
12:54 AM
Thursday, September 20, 2012
There is no code Elroy Coffin can’t break, nothing he can’t hack, no safe he can’t get into. But for the past two years, he’s been incarcerated in a maximum-security hellhole after a job gone bad, driven to near-madness by the revelation of his beloved wife’s murder. Now a powerful and mysterious visitor who calls herself a “concerned citizen” offers Elroy his freedom if he’ll do another job, and sweetens the deal with proof that his wife might still be alive. All Elroy has to do is hack into one of the most complicated and deadliest security grids in the world—clear and simple instructions for the best in the business. Or so he thinks.
Quickly drawn into the epicenter of a secret, brutal war between criminal masterminds, Elroy is forced to run for his life through a rapid-fire labyrinth of deception, betrayal, and intrigue— where no one is to be trusted and every fight could be his last . . . and the real truth hidden beneath the myriad levels of treachery may be too shocking to comprehend. . . .
Goodreads Summary
Looking for a true suspense novel? Resurrection Express will deliver a heart-pounding, action-packed story. The reader will open the first page to a fight scene and a graphic one at that. Elroy, the main character, will both shock and fascinate the reader. He holds nothing back and fully allows the reader into his mind. He acts as the reader's guide through an almost surreal plot.
Elroy ends up in a jail cell. He can't do anything that he loves: hacking, cracking codes, fighting, etc... His anger at his belief in the death of his wife is overwhelming. When he receives an unusual visitor with an unusual request, he has no idea of the journey he is about to embark on. Elroy accepts the deal his visitor offers, especially when he learns his wife might still be alive. However, when Elroy is released from prison to begin his part of the bargain, he finds that the characters he meets and the adversaries he is up against just might get the best of him.
Overall, Resurrection Express kept me up till the late hours of the night. This book was impossible to put down; the scenes seemd to fly by and the plot constantly changed. The reader will not want to miss one minute. Elroy's character is not particularly likable, yet this does not detract from the story at all. Instead, he fits the setting and plot perfectly. The other characters are not any more redeemable than Elroy; many of them seem purely evil, perfect for a suspense novel. Stephen Romano has a way of writing that can give the reader the chills. This book is recommended to adult readers.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
12:01 AM
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Dahlstrom wrote a great Christian fiction novel for teen and middle grade school aged readers. Although I am slightly older, I still loved this book. Jeremy has been prematurely judged and beaten down his entire life because his father is in prison. Finally, after being attacked on his way home from his seventh grade class, Jeremy feels the urge to fly.
Soon after, Jeremy learns from his guardian angel, Asiel, that he is a nephilim. This means that Jeremy is part angel. Jeremy must learn how he came to be and fight against evil for God. His mission into his past takes him to the Higher Humanity Institute, where he finds other kids who are like him. Quickly, Jeremy’s journey becomes difficult. Constant threats and danger are always with him; Jeremy turns to God for support and love to help him find his way.
The way this book was written, I felt like I was reading the character’s thoughts. Dahlstrom changes points of view from character to character; this aids the reader in understanding motivations and plot line.
4 Stars
*Reviewed by Kristin*
Find this book:
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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
6:43 PM
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The electrifying sequel to the acclaimed urban fantasies The Better Part of Darkness, The Darkest Edge of Dawn, and The Hour of Dust and Ashes!
After filling out mountains of paperwork, Detective Charlie Madigan sets out for a death-defying trip into heavenly Elysia to rescue her partner Hank and bring the siren home. Of course, she doesn’t expect to leave behind an all out siren revolution or return home to find that jinn crime boss, Grigori Tennin, has begun a massive search for the divine being, Ahkneri. Tennin’s tactics set off a chain reaction that puts Charlie in the crosshairs of the shadowy creature known as Death and awakens Ahkneri from her long sleep. And when Vengeance rises, Atlanta will never be the same.
Goodreads Summary
Charlie Madigan clinched this book as wonderful for me. She is funny, smart, and brave. She's literally one of those people who knows what they want and goes for it. Hank, Charlie's partner, has been forced back to his home. He's under suspicion of treason. Charlie and Hank have had a back and forth relationship going for quite some time now, but Charlie must make a decision-and she decides to go for Hank! Their romance was a terrific addition to an already action-packed novel.
Shadows Before the Sun is already quite far into the series and readers should try to read in order if they want to understand the plot and characters. This book advances the plot and provides the reader with more insights into the characters, especially Charlie. With Charlie on a rescue mission to save Hank, will Atlanta survive without her help?
All of the characters were very well-developed. Alessandra's character really reaches her full potential; she is stubborn and has a bit of an air about her, but the reader will learn more about her mysterious ways. There are some new characters in this book, the reader will enjoy that the author details them nicely. However, some of the characters that the reader may be used to, such as Rex, are either barely in the novel or not in this one at all! Overall, this book is definitely worth picking up if the reader is a fan of the series.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
11:58 PM
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Thanks for having me on Live To Read, Krystal – it’s a pleasure to be here!
HOUSE OF SHADOWS first hit the shelves in the middle of July, of course, and reading the early reviews has been so interesting! The book is a complicated one, with three point-of-view protagonists and a good handful of important secondary characters. I know the back cover copy implies that it’s the story of two sisters, but really one of the sisters, Karah, isn’t a protagonist at all. She is actually the linchpin that connects the three true point-of-view protagonists. One of those is Karah’s sister; another, Taudde, is the “foreign bard” mentioned on the back cover; and the third – Leilis, Karah’s mentor – isn’t mentioned at all.
Of course, as a writer, you run a pretty serious risk when you switch from one point-of-view character to another. It’s very possible that some of your readers will engage emotionally with the first character they meet and really dislike switching away from her point-of-view. To compensate, you have to really try hard to make the next point-of-view character, and the one after that, just as engaging and compelling as the first.
As it happens, the early reviews have offered encouraging evidence that all three of the protagonists in HOUSE OF SHADOWS succeed at this job, because so far every one of the three point-of-view characters has just about the same number of votes for “favorite character” as the others. That’s so interesting!
Of course I have my personal favorite character in this story – the bardic sorcerer, Taudde – and roughly a third of the readers agree with me. But about a third of all readers like Nemienne best. She’s the most YA-style protagonist, which probably makes her appeal to plenty of readers who enjoy YA. And the remaining third vote for Leilis as their favorite – she is a young woman, but not a girl, and she’s certainly in a difficult situation when the story opens.
Though sometimes complicated, it can be very rewarding to write a book with multiple protagonists, as you have the chance to show readers your world through more than one viewpoint. I hope that readers find HOUSE OF SHADOWS as rewarding to read as I did to write!
Orphaned, two sisters are left to find their own fortunes.
Sweet and proper, Karah's future seems secure at a glamorous Flower House. She could be pampered for the rest of her life... if she agrees to play their game.
Nemienne, neither sweet nor proper, has fewer choices. Left with no alternative, she accepts a mysterious mage's offer of an apprenticeship. Agreeing means a home and survival, but can Nemienne trust the mage?
With the arrival of a foreign bard into the quiet city, dangerous secrets are unearthed, and both sisters find themselves at the center of a plot that threatens not only to upset their newly found lives, but also to destroy their kingdom.
Goodreads Summary
Karah and Nemienne are two sisters with different personalities. I think I liked their characters so much because they reflect my sister and I. Karah is the sweeter one and tends to get along well with everyone while Nemienne still needs to find her own way. Nemienne finds herself an apprentice to a mage with a very interesting house, one the reader will come to love. The house is described in vivid detail and gives Nemienne's chapters an airy, magical feeling. There is a parallel between light and dark in the story, one that the reader will find mostly in Nemienne's chapters are she learns more from the wise mage.
Karah's character was a little bland for me, but compared to Nemienne's many other characters would pale in comparison anyway. The two sisters are not the only main characters. Leilis, also in Karah's Flower House, acts almost as a guide to the reader. She uses and explains much of the terminology and is easy to like. Taubbe is a character the reader will be introduced to relatively late in the book, but his point of view is crucial. His character is involved in the assassination plot that will be the climax of the novel. All of these characters tie into the larger plot and have something to add.
The plot itself isn't so much amazing as it is magical. The reader will want to see the inside of the mage's house and meet Nemienne in person. Everything is portrayed with great detail, it is easy to imagine the scenes and characters. The author writes fluidly and although some of the terminology may be confusing at first, it is explained fairly quickly after the initial confusion. This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
10:39 PM
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Spring brings new life, young love, and second chances to Stoney Ridge.
On a warm spring day, Sadie Lapp returns home to her quiet, unassertive life in Stoney Ridge after spending the winter in Ohio.
Gideon Smucker, an awkward schoolteacher, has been in love with Sadie since childhood and eagerly awaits her return. But does Sadie feel the same about him?
Will Stoltz, a charming and impetuous college student, has been banished for a semester and sent to babysit endangered peregrine falcons nesting at the Lapp farm. He'd rather be anywhere else . . . until he befriends Sadie.
As the hopes and ambitions of these three young people converge, life in Stoney Ridge may never be the same.
Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love in this captivating series.
Goodreads Summary
Coming home to Windmill Farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Sadie Lapp is shocked to find her farm swarmed by people – even news crews. A rare American peregrine falcon pair has decided to nest on her farm; this means that Will Stoltz, an almost medical student with family and legal problems, will be staying on the farm to watch over the rare birds. However, this shock cannot outdo the surprise of finding a baby in a basket. The temporary teacher, Gideon Smucker - who’s loved Sadie for years, and everyone else in their church assumes the worst about the appearance of the baby after Sadie’s stay with her sister in Ohio.
Writing the summary above made me realize how much is going on in this book. This is book 2, and I didn’t read the first novel. However, it is easy to get into the story without having read the first. The first pages had me thinking – oops, this is a soap opera. There’s a brother who passed away and dad who now has his son’s heart; but once I began to know the characters, I really started to appreciate all the relationships and personalities. Seeing Sadie develop her healing skills and ability to speak out for herself and others was great; I felt so bad for her when her church came down so hard on her before hearing the whole story. Reading about Will’s problems and then seeing how life on the farm, hard work, nature, and an sympathetic wise girl could help him straighten out his life got me out of the house for a long walk to admire the trees. All of this goodness/forgiveness is, luckily, balanced with humor (that’s what Sadie’s sister M.K. is for) and no-nonsense action/advice (that’s what Fern is for.) M.K. and a friend blow up a stove pipe. Fern gets Will’s father off his high-horse with a story of a young boy who once tied an oily rag to a cat’s tail and set it on fire.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
10:40 PM
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Life has been hell for seventeen-year-old Emma since she moved from sunny California to a remote Alaskan town. Rejected by her father and living with the guilt of causing her mother's death, she makes a desperate dash for freedom from her abusive stepfather. But when her car skids off the icy road, her escape only leads to further captivity in a world beyond her imagining. Dragged across the tundra by a crazed mountain man and his enormous black wolf, she finds that her gentle touch and kind heart earn her the wolf's friendship, and she names him Amarok, not knowing he was once a young man. When a vicious madman--trapped in bear form by an ancient Shaman--attacks the travelers and injures Amarok, Emma must find the strength to confront her fears and free the wolf she's come to love. But there's a catch--she must face down the evil shaman, a powerful Siberian mammoth hunter from the ice age, and he has no intention of giving up his power to her.
Goodreads Summary
How would you react if you were captured in the wilderness and had only a wolf for company? Emma has had a bad time of it. Her own father seems to be despondent towards her and her stepfather loathes her. She doesn't have a mother or a stable home. Through most of the book she is forced to follow a crazy man in a dangerous environment. She is forced to rely more on herself and start to harden herself to the outside world. The only one who seems to care for her at all is a mysterious wolf who she names Amarok.
Amarok and Emma form a cute bond. They begin to depend on each other and Emma feels oddly connected to her wolf. Amarok acts with purpose; he believes that he is meant to save Emma. Their characters are easy to root for and enjoy; however, their characters are not particularly memorable. The big, bad, and crazy "mountain man" is someone the reader won't like at all, but not one of those evil characters that makes the reader hate him/her on principle.
Overall, the plot is interesting and fun to read. The book is a very fast-read and very descriptive. This book is recommended to young adult/teen readers.
"War Stories" is a lean, concise collection of short fiction, with many of the stories having a sub-theme of war and its impact upon the lives of ordinary people. In "Recruiters," the military prowls for young boys in a destitute and hopeless urban area. In "One of These Days it will All be Over," a Vietnam war veteran finds a moment of redemption in a single heroic act. In "Pistolesi," the wife of a brain-injured Iraq war veteran searches for identity and purpose in the aftermath of her husband's injury. In "The Deepest, Darkest Part of the Woods," an isolated young soldier returns from war to a violent and dysfunctional neighborhood, and discovers a sense of connection with a quiet adolescent girl.
Summary
These short stories tell of loneliness, loss, yearning, heartache, resiliency, death, hopelessness, and more. War Stories contains nine separate tales which relate the actions and thoughts of a few characters as they experience emotional or physical battles. Doyle’s writing lays bare the circumstances of each situation – conveying so much in a few phrases: “this child was the hope that was born between them, held up like a torch against the darkness of the past” and “because he’d let go of his soul, …you have to fight hard to hold onto it, no matter what”.
People I know joke about how the sordid drama of reality TV or court TV makes them feel better about themselves: they’re not drug addicts, not testing 5 men to find their baby’s father, not on disability suing a cheating boyfriend for a loan. Why aren’t we more sympathetic to their problems? Reading Doyle’s similar to real life stories of addiction, death, emptiness, and despair evokes different feelings. Doyle’s great writing connects readers to the characters. You feel the poignant hollowness of their losses and struggles. It’s depressing but very moving reading.
Four and a Half Stars
*Reviewed by Colleen*
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
10:27 PM
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Rachel and Alice are an extremely rare kind of identical twins-so identical that even their aunt and uncle, whom they've lived with since their parents passed away, can't tell them apart. But the sisters are connected in a way that goes well beyond their surfaces: when one experiences pain, the other exhibits the exact same signs of distress. So when one twin mysteriously disappears, the other immediately knows something is wrong-especially when she starts experiencing serious physical traumas, despite the fact that nobody has touched her. As the search commences to find her sister, the twin left behind must rely on their intense bond to uncover the truth. But is there anyone around her she can trust, when everyone could be a suspect? And ultimately, can she even trust herself? Master storyteller Jessica Warman will keep readers guessing when everything they see-and everything they are told-suddenly becomes unreliable in this page-turning literary thriller.
Goodreads Summary
Warman has written a great Young Adult psychological thriller. Alice and Rachel are twins, but twins that are so identical that no one can tell them apart. They have a special bond, too. If one is hit, the other feels pain. This phenomenon is how Alice knows that her sister is in danger. Rachel disappears and Alice begins experiencing pain. Who can Alice trust? She keeps her sister’s disappearance a secret and searches for the abductor.
Beautiful Lies confused me at times and I am still figuring out the story right now, even though I finished the book. Despite this, I definitely enjoyed reading. I loved the plot twists and turns and reading about the bond between Alice and Rachel. This book will be loved by teen readers and anyone who likes mystery.
The only complaint I had while reading is that the narrator is not someone you can trust. I will not spoil any of the novel, but thought that readers should be warned. Alice is not a girl who always speaks the truth. Beautiful Lies was a wild ride and earns four out of five stars.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
11:22 PM
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
LOVING LADY MARCIA Kieran Kramer In the House of Brady, three very lovely girls have hair of gold—and hearts to match—but finding a match among the gentlemen of London is one comedy of errors that could bring down the house… MARCIA GETS SCHOOLED…Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor. ON THE SUBJECT OF LOVE A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch…? “A delicious romp that will keep you laughing.”—Sabrina Jeffries (on Kieran Kramer’s Impossible Bachelor series)
Goodreads Summary
In early 19th century London, the Irish Marquess of Brady married the widowed mother of golden-haired Marcia, Janice, and Cynthia. With the Marquess’ Gregory, Peter, and Robert, the eight Bradys form a close-knit family. Their estate called Ballybrook across the Irish Sea is maintained by Alice, their housekeeper, and Tiger, the family pet. As the oldest girl, Marcia would have been expected to enter the London social scene as one of the foremost debutantes in her season. Instead, Marcia has chosen to remain at her boarding school where she becomes headmistress. She loves the school and all the girls who study there. However, her primary reason for avoiding the marriage market is an unfortunate, brief love affair at age sixteen. Now, she finds herself fighting to keep her position at the school, facing the handsome cad who “ruined” her, and being courted by the cad’s brother. Duncan Latimore, who always feels he must right his brother’s wrongs, wants to court Marcia; not so much to correct the past…but because he finds her caring nature, beauty, and independent attitude fascinating.
I like the Brady Bunch – the ones who wore bellbottoms and – now- the ones who wear stunning bonnets straight from Paris. The situations and dialogue between the sisters, brothers, mom, and dad are loving and comedic. Just like Marcia in the TV show, London Marcia could drive me crazy with her over-enthusiasm. Then later, she always has to deal with the consequences. Reading the early story, I wanted to shout at her to be less starry eyed about the “cad”. I enjoyed reading the gossipy, well-meant comments of Dr. Trimp. Duncan’s attempts to improve his brother’s character hark back to the Brady family loyalty, but I was so relieved when he finally considers that Finn’s character might be beyond redemption. The play between little Joe and the Duke of Beauchamp is fun to read. If I had a problem with the story, it is the idea of Marcia sneaking into the garden shed to fool around…not just kisses. For me, my difficulty with the story is separating California Marcia from London Marcia in the romance department. I doubt this will trouble readers who’ve never seen many episodes of the TV show.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
11:53 PM
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
How can you talk about something you can’t remember?
Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader (at the bottom of the pyramid, but still...), a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid—including a lock of her perfect red curls—and she can’t remember any of it.
Back home and unable to relate to her old friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect... or so she thinks.
witty and poignant, Colleen Clayton’s stunning debut is a story about moving on after the unthinkable happens.
Advance Praise for WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
"Colleen Clayton's gutsy characters stuck with me long after I finished reading What Happens Next." --Lucy Christopher, author of the Printz Honor book STOLEN
"I absolutely devoured this book, and found myself reading the final pages more and more slowly, trying to put off seeing it end. I haven't been this in love with a set of characters in maybe forever." --Jennifer Brown, author of HATE LIST
"Real teenagers. Real issues. Real writing. I read "What Happens Next" in one big swoop. Heartbreaking, but still filled with hope and promise, author Colleen Clayton knows that the past can't be rewritten, but you can ruin the future by not learning from it." -- Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of I'LL BE THERE
"Sad, funny, and true. This book hits all the right notes." --Miranda Kenneally, author of CATCHING JORDAN
Goodreads Summary
What Happens Next touches on many difficult topics that the author handles with ease and poise. The reader will get to know Cassidy aka "Sid" very well, coming to admire her brave exterior. Sid was raped and, although she is repressing the memory, the rape still hurts her emotionally. Sid is withdrawn and a little hard to get to know, but reading further into the book to peal more of Sid's layers is well worth the wait. Sid is lucky to meet Corey, a guy that many people would skip over, but one who turns out to make all the difference to Sid. He has a way of healing her and a very interesting personality.
The story has a hint of romance and an air of mystery. Sid doesn't really remember the rape, but the rape has lingering, negative effects. The rape itself is not overly graphic and the subject of eating disorders adds another layer of reality to the story. Sid is a character who will be nearly impossible to connect, the reader is just about guaranteed to connect to her on an emotional level. Overall, this book is recommended to teens and young adults.
About the author: Colleen Clayton has worked with troubled teens as a social worker ad as program supervisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She currently lives in Ohio with her family and recently received her MFA from the Northeast Ohio Consortium at Youngstown State University. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT is her debut novel.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT By Colleen Clayton / Poppy On sale: October 9, 2012 Hardcover ISBN: 9780316198684 / $17.99 / $19.99 CAN E-book ISBN: 9780316215046 / $9.99 / $9.99 CAN www.pickapoppy.com * www.colleenclayton.com
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Interview:
1) Tell us a little bit about your inspiration for this book.
In regards to themes, I wanted to write a bookdealing with sexual assault and its effect on a survivor’s body image. Studies have shown that victims of sexual assault are at risk for developing eating disorders so I wanted to explore that connection.
Being from the Cleveland area, I definitely wanted to set my story there. The main character came to me fully formed. I had an image in my head of young, red-haired woman on a ski-lift talking to an engaging stranger. I wanted the main character to be very vivacious and outspoken, funny, and friendly but also naïve and, deep down, terribly insecure.
2) What can we expect from Cassidy?
You can expect Cassidy (Sid) to be a very witty girl who deals with her situation in her own unique way. Cassidy definitely has her own ideas about things. She’s fiercely independent and is a fighter through-and-through.
3) Was there a character that was difficultto write about or create? Why?
Sometimes, through the drafting process, I felt Sid’s two best friends, Kirsten and Paige, were difficult to figure out. While they are an important part of the story, they are side characters so I had todo a bit of hard work to make them come alive on the page.
4) Who was your favorite character to write about?
Sid, of course. But next in line would be Corey. Holy wow, do I love that boy. Writing him into existence was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have ever had as a writer. I’m really, really proud of that character.
5) Are you currently working on another book?
I am! I just turned a draft into my agent! It’s set in the same high school but is a stand-alone with different characters and themes. I’m really excited about it.
What would you do if your not-so-innocent photo ended up on a billboard? Psyche made a few wrong choices and may pay dearly for them. She is saved, luckily, by Erik. Erik is an unusual guy. Most men want to impress their women at least in part with their looks; instead, he won't let Psyche see him. It is an odd situation, odder still that Erik takes Psyche to his expensive and private home. Psyche desperately wants to see her savior, but at what cost? ...and what to do with this "goddess" who seems offended by her very presence.
This story is a retelling of Psyche and Eros. Psyche was probably my favorite character. She can be a little bit stubborn and very curious. She tends to be independent, though there are times when she relies heavily on Erik. She is very sweet and rarely does the wrong thing (indecent picture aside). Erik is easy to get annoyed with. Yes, it's great that he saved Psyche, but what's with the "no seeing" policy? He seemed a tad ridiculous on that point, I know it's part of the retelling, but I have yet to see a truly valid reason for it. Aside from that, Erik is a sweet guy. He definitely deserves Psyche and seems willing to forgive her anything. Aphrodite, on the other hand, is the opposite. She looks for ways to interrupt Erik and Psyche's relationship and is always causing trouble. If there's one character the reader likely will hate it's Aphrodite.
The plot itself followed the Eros and Psyche myth pretty well. The reader may already know the ending, but the author does have a few tricks up her sleeve-the tasks and descriptions of the setting were perfect. The book is well-written and the author writes with an edge of mystery. Overall, this book would be great for adult readers.
3 1/2 Stars
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Posted by
Krystal Larson
at
10:38 PM
Friday, August 24, 2012
Lil isn't just an average teenager. She's one of the Nephilim--the descendants of humans and angels--which gives her some serious psi skills and a mission for redemption. Just when Lil thinks she's found a balance between her normal life with human friends and her training to become a Guardian, she's warned that someone close to her will betray her. When the boy she loves starts acting strangely and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability, Lil begins to realize that someone is manipulating the people she loves... and won't stop until she's been lured to the dark side.
Goodreads Summary
If you are looking for an average read about nephilim, this is not the book for you. Ednah Walters wrote a fast-paced, exciting novel with a large, but interesting cast of characters. Although I did not read the first in the series, I was never confused when reading Betrayed. This book may be the second of the series, but it could definitely be enjoyed by itself.
I won’t give away much of the plot for fear of ruining the book, but will say that I was never able to predict what would come next. Lil and Bran’s romance is growing, but secrets keep getting in the way. Lil’s father is continually trying to draw her to evil and the Guardians have a new mission. Time will fly as you read.
Teens and young adults will love Betrayed; it has traits of other popular books in this genre, but a flavor all its own. Every character is driven and awesome. Lil is passionate, Bran is mysterious, Sykes is hilarious, etc. I give Betrayed five out of five stars and recommend this book to everyone out there!
5 Stars
The addictive next book by the fantastical bestselling Max Frei the Labyrinths of Echo series–the adventures of Sir Max, who was once a loser but discovers a new world–has been an international literary sensation since its debut. In this new book, Sir Max once again travels to the enchanted parallel world of Echo, where magic is commonplace and where he fits right in. Plunging back into the astounding realm first portrayed in The Stranger (Fandomania.com's #1 Book of 2009) and continued in The Stranger's Woes, Frei's new work that blends fantasy, horror, philosophy, and comedy. Readers will welcome this "utterly original" (Bookslut) volume of the new adventures of Sir Max
Goodreads Summary
This book is mind blowing. It is a novel that took some effort for me to read because of the detail that Frei gave to his work. Max Frei’s world is thoroughly described. A maximum amount of detail is given to everything: characters, descriptions, language, and settings.
All this detail means that many readers will have an easier, more enjoyable experience if they start with the first book in the series. There is a lot of background that needs to be explained and because of the language barrier, it takes a minute to figure out. After the reader is caught up with the new vocabulary though, the action, humor, and excitement will have them loving this series.
Personally, I wish I had read the first few books, but I was definitely able to love The Stranger’s Magic as a standalone. In this novel, Max must save the world. He and his comrades face-off against the bad guys who are threatening their world. Anyone could love these books.
4 Stars
Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.
Unexpectedly, Kait is awoken by a beautiful, selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.
Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?
Goodreads Summary
Written in dialect, The Lure of Shapinsay was an excellent read. Selkies, seal-humans, have always fascinated me. They are not mermaids, but humans who live as seals in the ocean and can take off their seal skins to be humans on the land. These beautiful mythical creatures drive Holle’s story. The day Kait’s life begins to change is completely normal. She is at the market, bartering for goods when she learns that her close friend has given birth. Instead of cheers and celebration, however, everyone is quiet, unnerved, and bitter. Kait’s friend gave birth to a selkie child. Believing that he is evil, the baby’s grandfather drowns him in the ocean. Kait tries to save her friend’s child, but she is too late. A selkie man sees the events, but thinks that Kait is the murderer! Eamon, the selkie, seeks revenge for the baby, but falls in love with Kait instead.
Holle drew me into the story from page one. While reading this book, I laughed, cried, and blushed. There is a great cast of characters; each is memorable with a distinct personality. Most adult, female readers would love this novel because of the romance and adventure.
I'm a young college student who has probably read over 5000 books over the course of my short life; some of the books were classics, some of the books were terrific, and some of the books were...misses. Even with the latter part I will always believe in the power of books to completely remove the reader from his/her present reality. Long Live Books!
I would love to read and review books from just about any genre. To contact me: edysicecreamlover18 AT gmail DOT com Thank you for your interest! At this time, I can only accept paperback or hardcover. The finished review copies I receive are either kept in my personal collection or donated to several libaries, schools, or charities-I have no control over the finished review copies after donation.
*I claim no ownership for any images used on this site. The copyrights belong to the owners. If there is a picture on this site that belongs to you, please email with a link to the post and the image will be immediately removed*
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