February 2012
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Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Could have been great
Nightshade has the markings of a wonderful story, the plot was spectacular - wolves and witches, secrets, a mysterious ceremony and some very fun secondary characters. However, what made it quite the opposite were the main characters Calla and Shay.
From the very beginning of the story, Andrea Cremer set up her love triangle, Calla, an alpha, saves the human Shay - for...
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Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot
A retelling of the Persephone Myth
Abandon is a modern day spin on the story of Persephone, concentrating more on Persephone and Hades. There were two incidences in Pierce’s life that brought her to Isla Huesos, one being her death (and subsequent return to life). While Pierce doesn’t believe she had a near-death experience, no one seems to believe that she actually died and went to...
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Review: Generous Justice by Timothy Keller
What does it mean to be just?
I’ve always loved listening to Tim Keller speak; I find his style very relatable. Generous Justice is the first book of his that I’ve read and I find that his writing style is very similar to his speaking and it made this a very good read for me.
From the very beginning he challenges our views of what is just and what is not. Each chapter builds on the other,...
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Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis
A futuristic space adventure
In her debut book, Beth Revis provides an entertaining, science fiction adventure. Sci-Fi novels, in the Young Adult universe, are few and far between, but Across the Universe stands on its own and will surely find a place in the hearts of many fans.
Amy, in present day, is frozen - along with her parents - and loaded on a ship launched for a new planet. Her parents...
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Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
A little bit of alternate Russian history
I haven’t read much of Russian history, so when I read the blurb about this book I wondered whether I’d be able to get into the setting of the novel, but it sounded interested so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. Robin Bridges does a good job merging fantasy with history, allowing the reader to slip into the story without feeling...
January 2012
19 posts
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Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
A wickedly juicy debut
Jessica Spotswood’s debut novel, Born Wicked, reads a bit like a cautionary tale of what happens when society allows itself to be ruled by fear. However, there is more to this story than fear, there is mystery and suspense, pretty dresses, bookish heroes and heroines and of course a splash of prophecies, oracles and witches.
Something terrible happened in the 1700s...
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Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
More romance than mystery
Ana is a new soul. When Ana was born, she replaced another soul that was suppose to have reincarnated. Now, society generally shuns her, except for Sam, a boy who finds and saves her in the woods.
Jodi Meadows created a fascinating world in Incarnate. There are exactly one million souls that are constantly being recycled into new bodies once they die. When the story...
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The Best of 2011
Of the 69 books that I’ve read in 2011, these are on the top of my list as the best:
Children’s
Only Brian Selznick can write about automaton, an orphan boy, a retired movie maker and a train station in Paris and create a wonderful story. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a beautifully illustrated book with a wonderfully touching story.
See more about Brian Selznic on the blog
See...
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Review: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
Dragons and Faeries and Witches … oh my!
Dragonswood, on Wilde Island, is a sanctuary for dragons and fey. Janet Lee Carey, continues the tale of Dragons and humans (with a bit of Fey) that she started in Dragon’s Keep. Several years after the events of Dragon’s Keep, we are introduced to Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter, who is accused of being a witch. The adventure starts...
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“How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?”
– Looking for Alaska; John Green
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December 2011
17 posts
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Review: A Banshee's Tale by Veronica Breville
how many ways can you say the word awkward?
I only have one word that I can use to describe A Banshee’s Tale by Veronica Breville - Awkward. From the writing style, to the dialogue, to the cliff-hanger, everything was awkward.
A Banshee’s Tale is a told from the point of view of Catherine Dalry, who wakes up one day to find her hair on fire - not literally, but close enough. As a...
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Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton
The Persephone tale retold
Debut author, Brodi Ashton, puts her own spin on the Persephone story in Everneath.
Everneath is a place were the Everlings live. In order to survive forever, they feed on the emotions of humans - empty them - for a hundred years, so they could survive for another century.
Cole is an Everling who has taken Nikki as his Forfeit (humans who the Everlings feed on), but...
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'Twas the night before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long...
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Quick Reviews: Books for Kids!
Christmas is upon us! If there is a little boy or girl in your life, perhaps you’d like to introduce them to the world of books and the joy of reading! There are many books out there, so it’s quite possible that the child that currently doesn’t like to read just hasn’t found THAT book.
I’ve ready a couple of kiddies books lately, and thought I’d review them....
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Review: The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
A tale of love and friendship
After reading 13 Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson, then being thrilled by her newest novel, The Name of the Star (not to be confused with her pal John Green’s novel, The Fault in our Stars), I decided to pick up some of her other works, which lead me to The Bermudez Triangle.
The story begins with three friends going out for...
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A Children’s Story Series: Will a Game Help Books? →
Interesting concept. I really enjoyed where 39 Clues was going, but perhaps this will expand on that idea and be bigger.
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