With its intriguing title and gorgeous cover, Black Flowers, White Lies immediately draws our attention and promises to be a great paranormal story, aWith its intriguing title and gorgeous cover, Black Flowers, White Lies immediately draws our attention and promises to be a great paranormal story, a frightening psychological thriller and a thorough exploration of loss and grief, all rolled into one. It is a pretty tall order for a relatively small book, so feeling mildly disappointed in the end doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Black Flowers, White Lies could have been a much better work, but it fell a bit short in execution and characterization.
Ella’s mother is getting married in a few days, but Ella struggles to let go of her father. He died before she was born, but she’s been thinking about him and visiting his grave her entire life. Ella is convinced that her father watches her and protects her, even though no one else understands her obsession. As a ghost story, Black Flowers merely scratches the surface and doesn’t give us nearly enough to justify describing it as such. Ella’s father could really be watching over her, or it could just be a figment of her imagination. There aren’t any definitive answers, which leaves us to wonder why this particular plot line was introduced in the first place.
The book fares slightly better in the psychological thriller department, where it at least makes a half-decent effort. The psychological mystery is thought through and developed, albeit with several plot holes, but the conclusion we work towards never actually comes. The person who works against Ella is painfully obvious from the start, and even though the red herrings draw our attention for a minute or two, we never really wander all that far. The biggest problem, however, is sheer lack of characterization for the villain. We never quite understand the person’s motives, and, without a final confrontation, we are left with a whole string of violent, manipulative actions that make very little sense. Motives are crucial for a good psychological thriller and leaving us without answers pretty much guarantees disappointment.
Nevertheless, Black Flowers, White Lies shows some potential and leaves things open for a (hopefully more focused) sequel, which has yet to be announced.
Janet Evanovich is my go-to author for a funny, relaxing reading experience. I’ve been known to laugh like a lunatic while reading one of her books, sJanet Evanovich is my go-to author for a funny, relaxing reading experience. I’ve been known to laugh like a lunatic while reading one of her books, sometimes loudly, and sometimes even in public (which I suppose explains my lack of social life). Her books are often plotted and executed like episodes of Looney Tunes, some more than others. Curious Minds follows the nonsensical path when it comes to character interactions, and sometimes even the plot. It’s precisely what one might expect from Evanovich, which unfortunately makes it a story we’ve all read before.
After only a day on her new job as junior analyst at Blane-Grunwald, Riley is sent to appease the multimillionaire Emerson Knight, who suddenly wants to see his gold in the company’s vault. Instead of diverting him from his course, Riley gets tangled in his plan to uncover a massive conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of the US government. She gets dragged along from one insane plan to the next and she does very little but follow Emerson’s insane instructions. The seemingly endless dialogue between them is sometimes funny, but sometimes seems a bit forced.
Riley Moon is just like every other Evanovich’s heroine. In fact, I often couldn’t differentiate between her and Lizzy from the Lizzy & Diesel series. Aside from the few superficial things like education and profession, they really acted like one and the same. Emerson and Diesel also share many similarities, mostly in behavior. They come up with hare-brained schemes and plans that work only because they miraculously seem to be a step ahead of everyone else. They are both eccentric, charming and they own strange animals, including monkeys. Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton co-authored the third Lizzy & Diesel book, and then they co-authored this, so some similarities were to be expected. Still, these characters were carbon-copies of each other and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading yet another Wicked book, minus the paranormal element.
Like with the Lizzy & Diesel series, we’ll likely be teased about the romance for at least two more books. There is some light tension between Riley and Emerson and a whole lot of teasing, but nothing actually happens, and I doubt anything will. It’s fairly standard for Evanovich and Sutton, and I suppose I’m a bit tired of it. Nevertheless, readers who are new to their books will find plenty to love in Curious Minds. For them, it will be fresh and hilariously funny, and the characters will be endlessly entertaining. Older readers might find themselves struggling through several parts, but then again, maybe that’s just me.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks is an original, genre-bending, terrifying new novel by Jason Arnopp, a book that defies descriptions and explanations. ItThe Last Days of Jack Sparks is an original, genre-bending, terrifying new novel by Jason Arnopp, a book that defies descriptions and explanations. It follows a very unlikeable journalist and writer as he tries to prove that there’s no such thing as ghost, or any other supernatural entity. Jack sees it as his mission to debunk any claims of supernatural encounters and he’s often very rude as he goes about it.
Jack himself, however, is not to be trusted. With titles like Jack Sparks on Gangs and Jack Sparks on Drugs (which earned him a long stint in rehab for cocaine addiction), he is a social media darling and willing to do just about anything to stay in the spotlight. Lately he’s been planning a book called Jack Sparks on the Supernatural and writing a list of hypotheses on paranormal phenomena, his so called SPOOKS list, which stands for Sparks’ Permanently Ongoing Overview of Kooky Shit, and he’s rather vocal about it.
In no uncertain terms, Jack Sparks is an egotistical, power-hungry, emotionally stunted jerk. He has feelings for his roommate and best friend Bex, but he’d rather die than do something about it. He is estranged from his family and infinitely rude to his brother. Like all the best anti-heroes, however, he becomes likeable along the way and we can’t help but root for him as he struggles through curses, haunting and his own denial.
We see Jack not only through his unfinished book, but through other people’s eyes as well. A prologue and epilogue written by his brother Alistair, various emails from friends and business contacts and different accounts of certain events all show that Jack’s version of events simply cannot be trusted. As he slides down into strange behavior and lots and lots of alcohol, the two versions of any event described become more and more distant.
Early in the book, his and ours both, Jack Sparks writes: “None of this is remotely unnerving, scary or – most importantly – convincing. My jeans remain unsoiled. My heebies are jeebie-less. There are no willies up me.” The feeling (or lack of it) doesn’t last long, however. Not long after, a video appears on Jack’s YouTube channel, a video he himself most certainly did not post, and the most terrifying time of Jack’s life begins.
Trust me when I tell you, this book will not allow you to sleep. Firstly, you’ll feel compelled to turn those pages until you learn the truth behind Jack’s ramblings. And secondly, even when you do, you’ll be much too frightened to turn down the lights and just sleep. This book offers it all: laughs, excellent plot and nail-biting excitement. I highly recommend it to all horror fans and for those who are looking for something strange and original to read.
There are several reasons why tropes exist, and all of them are good. Mostly they exist because people find comfort in the familiar. I find this to beThere are several reasons why tropes exist, and all of them are good. Mostly they exist because people find comfort in the familiar. I find this to be especially true for romance readers, including myself. I want new stories, yes, but I also want to know what to expect. I don’t want my romance novel to make me anxious or sad. The very best romance authors understand this and use it well. They give us all the formulas we know well and love, but they also weave in their own signature, something that separates them from everyone else.
When it comes to paranormal romance, Christine Feehan is a superpower. Her Dark Carpathians novels are all international bestsellers, and there are too many to count. Feehan doesn’t fear tropes at all. In fact, she embraces them and uses them to their full potential. In Shadow Rider, the heroine calls herself a damsel in distress and Stefano a white knight on several occasions. I detected a healthy dose of Feehan's self-irony in her words and it amused me to no end.
Feehan keeps writing growly alphas because it’s what she does best. Stefano Ferraro is one of those – he always knows what everyone needs to do, he doesn’t take no for an answer and when he finds a woman worthy of his love, he takes over her life until there’s nothing left. Francesca Capello doesn’t mind at all. She wants to feel safe, and the best way to achieve that is to turn herself into a doll piloted by a rich, mysterious man. The second they meet he starts ordering her around, and he orders her right to the altar. While I myself am uncomfortable with that type of relationship, there’s a reason why the trope is very much alive, and I don’t doubt for a second that Stefano will become one of those romance heroes with legions of fans.
I have to give credit to Feehan for creating a unique, thrilling world. I don’t read that much PNR, but I do read urban fantasy all the time and I’ve never stumbled upon anything like she shadow hunters. They depend on the shadows and move undetected through them to bring justice to those who were abandoned by the system. The families can best be described as super hot, filthy rich, avenging members of the mafia, albeit with the very best of intentions. There is a sea of potential in this world and I look forward to seeing it fully developed.
Of course, Feehan set the foundation for the rest of this series. After all, Stefano has many brothers and even more cousins, all desperate to find that one woman fate has chosen for them. Although I’m not that interested in their future romances, I do want to see how the paranormal aspects might develop.
In short, Shadow Rider is the perfect read for romance fans who enjoy smoking hot, overbearing men and heroines that just want to be swept away.
Robyn Carr has been writing romances for as long as some of us have been alive. On the one side, it’s a scary thought, but on the other, it’s kind of Robyn Carr has been writing romances for as long as some of us have been alive. On the one side, it’s a scary thought, but on the other, it’s kind of relaxing to sink into one of her books, knowing full well that I’m in very capable hands. I always find her romances comforting because the conflicts, such as they are, rarely feel like cheap romance tropes. Her portrayal of small town life may be a bit idealized, but her characters are always warm and welcoming.
Wildest Dreams is the 9th book in her Thunder Point series. I have to admit I’ve missed a few along the way, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this one. I enjoyed revisiting old friends, spending some time with Iris, Seth and others and learning how some secondary couples fared.
The thing about series like Thunder Point is this: readers get so comfortable with the setting and familiar with their surrounding that they enjoy just spending time there, even if nothing is really happening. Once they reach that point, authors can allow themselves all kinds of things, even mostly plotless books, and still have loyal fans. Wildest Dreams feels very much like one of those books. It’s not a conventional romance since it takes ages for Blake and Lin Su to even kiss. It doesn’t have any kind of mystery or other type of plot. It just goes back and forth between several characters, allowing us to peek into their everyday lives. That might sound like a bad thing, but it’s really not – not for someone who feels happy and comfortable in Thunder Point. And let’s face it – when you keep up with a series for no less than 9 books, it’s because you like what you find there each and every time.
Mostly, my problem with Wildest Dreams was that I disliked Lin Su intensely. I couldn’t understand what Blake saw in her and why he would even consider getting involved with someone so hardheaded and controlling. I pitied her teenage son constantly and just waited for him to rebel far more than he actually did. I can’t really say much more about them, not for fear of spoiling – there isn’t much to spoil – but because there simply isn’t much to say. Wildest Dreams is a pleasant book, but it’s my least favorite of the nine.
As usual, I would have enjoyed it far less without Therese Plummer’s fantastic narration. She is a goddess among women, a queen among audio narrators with her calming voice and her excellent voice characterization. If you choose to read this series (and you should because those first few books are really fantastic), I’d definitely go with the audio.
Well researched YA historical fiction is somewhat of a rarity. These are the books that come with an author’s note and lengthy bibliographies which shWell researched YA historical fiction is somewhat of a rarity. These are the books that come with an author’s note and lengthy bibliographies which show us that they’re based in fact, with minimal artistic liberties taken. Ruta Sepetys could be considered the queen of the genre, but Anne Blankman appeared to be a serious contender after her Prisoner of Night and Fog duology.
Traitor Angels follows along the same path. Blankman did her homework extremely well. Her book is well researched and convincing in its factual aspects and those who are somewhat familiar with John Milton and his work might feel as though they’re truly meeting him in person and expanding their knowledge about his life and personality. Blankman merely added an extra daughter and gave her a bit more education that the rest of Milton’s children. The image she painted of England in 1666 is detailed and convincing. I feel that I learned quite a bit from this book, which is always a plus. Unfortunately, the parts that were purely fictional didn’t work quite as well.
Traitor Angels is reminiscent of The Da Vinci’s Code in a way. It follows the same premise – discovering buried secrets by following clues hidden in famous works. It could have worked better, but Blankman failed to build any real excitement and I found myself bored with the search pretty early on. The two main characters, Elizabeth Milton and Antonio Vivani, were sent on this quest by Milton himself, but even though they were both groomed for it from their early days, they made some pretty naïve and ridiculous mistakes along the way.
Although Blankman tried to give us a worthy heroine, Elizabeth never rang true as a girl she was meant to be, and especially a girl living in the 1660. Throughout the book, she was reconsidering her puritan beliefs and discovering new things about herself, but for me her journey completely missed the mark and I honestly didn’t care about any of it. Antonio’s story and actions weren’t any more convincing and I’m sorry to say I had to fight to remain focused.
Traitor Angels had enormous potential, but most of it was left unexplored. I had to struggle for more than 15 days with it and barely found the will to finish it. If you’re interested in the genre, I’d recommend a trip to Nazi Germany in Blankman’s debut or a long journey aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff during World War II in Ruta Sepetys’ Salt to the Sea.
Even before its release, Three Dark Crowns, the first in Kendare Blake’s new series, is proving to be a highly polarizing book, with readers either loEven before its release, Three Dark Crowns, the first in Kendare Blake’s new series, is proving to be a highly polarizing book, with readers either loving or hating it and very few (if any) falling somewhere in the middle. Three Dark Crowns offers all the things Kendare is known for: the dark moments, the vivid imagery, the shocking, almost grotesque violence, but it lacks her usual rich plotting and regrettably falls behind her other works.
Three Dark Crowns starts off promisingly, with poison flowing, dangerous elemental magic and cruelty wherever we turn. Readers have been describing it as dark, but it goes a bit beyond that. With Blake’s work, devil is always in the details, and she is known for the gruesome and memorable images she enjoys planting in our heads. Snakes, scorpions, tables full of poisoned food, islands shaking and human sacrifice, all promise us a read we won’t soon forget.
It quickly becomes evident, however, that images are all this book has to offer. With no plot to speak of and very little significant characterization, even blood and gore lose some of their entertainment value. The three sisters meant to kill each other for the throne all seem like weaklings in the hands of stronger political forces. There isn’t a true queen among them, not one a reader could choose to support and wish to see on the throne. They are, all three of them, best described as anti-heroines, and fairly unlikeable ones at that.
The plot, such as it is, is extremely slow to develop. We spend most of the time meeting the three queens, familiarizing ourselves with their friends and enemies and pondering their many challenges. Their respective love interests develop slowly and some are more interesting than others. I have to say I enjoyed Pietyr and Katherine more than any other couple and I found their honesty very refreshing. The lack of plot is made somewhat more tolerable by Kendare’s gorgeous writing, but after a while even that isn’t enough to keep us engaged.
It needs to be said that Kendare Blake’s writing is vivid and impeccable. Technically, she is unparalleled in her ability to paint elaborate scenes and then drown them in blood. As a reader and a fan, I will never give up on her work because she gives me something I so rarely find – elegance in horror and images that haunt me for a very long time. She is allowed one slip, especially one where I can still admire all those things I like most about her writing.
As a big fan of Amy Tintera’s debut duology, Reboot, I was beyond excited to read her first foray into the world of YA fantasy. It’s my preferred genrAs a big fan of Amy Tintera’s debut duology, Reboot, I was beyond excited to read her first foray into the world of YA fantasy. It’s my preferred genre and the one I’m most selective about, but I trusted Tintera to create something thrilling and never before seen. Sadly, while Ruined was exciting and pretty decently written, nothing about it was as original or daring as it should have been. If anything, Ruined is a collage of themes and tropes we’ve seen many times before with just enough novelty to make is seem better than it actually is.
Ruined is told alternately from Em’s and Cas’s points of view. The two belong to countries at war with each other, with much history and bloodshed already between them. Although the narration is fairly divided, it was clear from her first chapter that Em would be the one to carry the book. It was important to Tintera to make her the strong, merciless and isolated heroine, a girl considered useless by her people because she didn’t possess the magic like the rest of the Ruined. When it comes to creating heroines, Tintera clearly knows what she’s doing. I liked Em’s independence and bravery, I loved that she always expressed her opinion, even when it wasn’t prudent to do so. She never came across as whiny or incompetent as so many heroines often do.
The downside of her excellent characterization was the shadow she cast over Cas. In contrast, his character was poorly done, and while it could be argued that he was too young, he didn’t have the personality fit for a future king. Cas was almost too agreeable and forgiving, he let his family, and even Em, walk all over him, and when Em failed to warn him of danger and practically betrayed him, he just forgave her like it was nothing.
That brings me to romance, which was obviously somewhat disappointing. I felt very little chemistry between Cas and Em as his impostor wife and while I didn’t see it as instalove as some readers complained, I also saw no reason for their infatuation. I have no idea where the story will take them or how they might change and evolve, but as it is, there is nothing substantial between them.
I have to give credit to Tintera for her excellent dialogues. As a huge fan of dry humor and sarcastic remarks, I enjoyed all the banter between her characters. Em’s personality came through loud and clear in every random comment and especially those things she muttered to herself in response to something someone said. In addition, it’s clear that Tintera is a great writer with an excellent sense of pacing.
While I might not continue this series (I doubt I’ll even remember the details by the time the second book comes out), I’ll keep an eye out for Tintera’s next project, hoping it will be something I’ll enjoy just a bit more than I did Ruined.
The opening chapter of The Mystery of Hollow Places promises a story filled with paranormal mysteries and excitement. It’s one of the best
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The opening chapter of The Mystery of Hollow Places promises a story filled with paranormal mysteries and excitement. It’s one of the best prologues I’ve read in a while and it easily made me want to read the rest in one sitting. I adore atmospheric, creepy mysteries, and I was hoping this would be one. The rest of the book, however, continued in a very different tone.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy what came after. Mostly I liked it because of Imogene Scott, a main character that carries the book easily with the depth of her personality. I wanted to know more about Imogene from the very beginning. She is an unusual girl, a bit of an outsider, with only one friend she seems to trust. After growing up with her father’s forensic mysteries and his struggles with bipolar disorder, she’s very mature and she can be a bit odd and closed off sometimes. When her father disappears, Immy has a single goal – to find him, no matter what it takes. Influenced by his mysteries and his main character, the forensic pathologist, she thinks it’s her job and hers alone to find out where her father has gone. But the mystery of his disappearance is wrapped up in her mother’s abandonment, so Imogen first has to find a woman she doesn’t even remember, and uncover the truth of her parents’ relationship.
The Mystery of Hollow Places is in many ways a strange book. It goes in many different directions and it’s difficult to determine what it’s really about. There were several things I enjoyed thoroughly, starting with Rebecca Podos’ subtle and beautiful writing. I loved how she weaved her story with seeming ease. Nothing about it seemed artificial or forced, and I admire the deep understanding behind each sentence. Characterization is what makes this book strong and memorable, starting (but not ending) with Immy Scott.
Aside from the characters and the writing, though, nothing about this book stood out. The mystery itself was mild and fairly uninteresting. I didn’t read to learn the truth, I read to learn about Imogen and her fascinating thought process. So if you take this book as a mystery of any kind, you might be disappointed, but if you appreciate a very well done coming of age story and mature, beautiful characters, this might just be the book for you....more
What on Earth did I just read? I swear my head is still spinning…
The Queen and the Homo Jock King was one of those sequels that I’ve waited a very loWhat on Earth did I just read? I swear my head is still spinning…
The Queen and the Homo Jock King was one of those sequels that I’ve waited a very long time to read, and that I finally picked up with no small amount of trepidation. You see, the first book, Tell Me It’s Real, is one of the funniest, most endearing books I’ve ever read, and writing something that could at least come close was likely very difficult. However, it would appear that TJ Klune was more than up to the task. The Queen is hilariously funny, and as usual, TJ had me laughing myself into stitches mere minutes after I started reading. Seriously, I almost died laughing. He named a drag queen character Sofonda Cox, for heaven’s sake. And that was one tiny detail of many.
However, if you pay attention, The Queen and the Homo Jock King is a pretty serious book underneath – admittedly far, far, far underneath. But TJ manages to slip in loss and grief, deep insecurities and even increase awareness about drag queens. He does it all in his typical way, with much humor and by refusing to pull back punches. Avoidance of issues isn’t in his repertoire. He pushes them right in your face and makes you deal with them… with style.
In terms of plot, QATHJK leaves a lot to be desired, only you don’t desire it in the least. When you think about it with a cool head, you realize that it’s just a flimsy excuse to push our protagonists together, a romance cliché if there ever was one, but while you’re reading, you simply don’t care. Besides, TJ made even the cliché his own and he hid several small surprises within.
If I have to point out one objection to this book, I’d say it’s a tiny bit too long. You just can’t laugh that much at once so it must be read in smaller doses, which isn’t something I normally do. Every concession is worth it, however. This book is a treasure, just like Tell Me It’s Real before it. Read it and enjoy.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
For your average romance reader, a Mary Calmes book is better than cupcakes, better than tropical beaches, better than crack. There’s just
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For your average romance reader, a Mary Calmes book is better than cupcakes, better than tropical beaches, better than crack. There’s just something about the strength of devotion between her characters that captivates right on the first page. Her characters are always more than a bit eccentric, some are even a bit unhinged, but they are all magnetic and irresistible, for readers and their romantic interests both. I’ve been a fan of Mary’s books for years, and although she keeps producing the same type of romance over and over again, my idea of heaven remains one Mary Calmes book per day.
Fit to be Tied is the second in her Marshals series, loosely connected to her Matter of Time series. We rejoin Miro and Ian, partners at work and partners in life, several months after they finally acknowledged their love for each other. Things are going well for them and they love each other desperately, but while Miro is all in, Ian refuses to get married. This part of the book was very painful for me. The desperate love these two share was obvious on every page, but I kept imagining Miro down on one knee, being turned down by the love of his life. Ian had his reasons and they were valid ones, but the hurt was unbearably strong at times.
Professionally, things are going well for them both. Their newly promoted boss, our very own Sam Kage (SAM!), knows precisely how to handle them. When a serial killer escapes from a maximum security prison, a psychopath determined to hurt his arresting officer Miro Jones, Sam comes up with a plan that should keep both Ian and Miro safe.
The best thing is that even when they strongly disagree, Miro and Ian never fail to acknowledge the fact that they can’t and won’t live without each other. They need one another more than they need their next breath and they are extremely vocal about it. They are both frighteningly possessive, but instead of being overwhelming and psychotic, their connection and possessiveness just work.
As far as I’m concerned, the next book by Mary Calmes can’t come soon enough. Her plots are generally outlandish and her characters are always just a tiny bit crazy, but that’s precisely why we love them. In Mary’s case, reviews can’t convince anyone of the appeal… it’s something everyone has to experience for themselves. ...more
Sloe Ride is the fourth book in Rhys Ford’s Sinners series, in which cops and rock stars collide to create compelling mysteries and sizzlin
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Sloe Ride is the fourth book in Rhys Ford’s Sinners series, in which cops and rock stars collide to create compelling mysteries and sizzling romances. It has been more than a year between books so some will have to refresh their memory a little bit, but the Morgan brothers (and assorted relatives) make it very easy to sink back into their world.
In the beginning of Sloe Ride, we see Rafe’s decline into addiction and self-destructiveness, and it’s not a pretty sight. It’s easy to dismiss him as just another spoiled rock star, which is exactly what he is. It’s difficult to sympathize with someone when seeing him at his worst, without really knowing how he got there or what caused him to become that way. Ford pushed the limits with Rafe, coming almost to the point of no redemption, but then she pulled him back beautifully by giving him direction and purpose and making him find his way.
Quinn, the odd one out among the Morgan brothers, has always been likeable, if a bit antisocial and odd. It was made quite obvious, though not addressed directly, that Quinn falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. He is brilliant, but he doesn’t pick up social cues easily and he struggles with things other people find easy, like crowds, or even flirting.
The mystery was done well, as usual. One can always trust Rhys to make it exciting and compelling. She knows how to write a real page turner, and if the romance itself isn’t enough to keep us interested (which it is), there are plenty of murders to keep us glued to our e-readers. Oddly, Rhys’s style bothered me somewhat in this book. It was a bit more choppy and disjointed and I had a hard time following the events, but even that wasn’t enough to seriously diminish my reading enjoyment.
Sloe Ride may be the weakest of the four books, but that’s not saying much when it comes to Rhys Ford. This is an author who knows how to create a mystery, how to lure us in with the promise of excitement and breathtaking romance. Weak or not, Rhys always delivers more than most authors have to offer, and picking up one of her books is a pretty safe bet. ...more
You’ve surely heard this before, but here it is again: The Dead House is a very unusual sort of book, narrative-wise. It is a skillfully wo
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You’ve surely heard this before, but here it is again: The Dead House is a very unusual sort of book, narrative-wise. It is a skillfully woven web of diary entries, video transcripts, police interview transcripts, e-mails and instant messages, newspaper clippings and other documents pertaining one horrible event known as the Johnson Incident. The concept itself is a brilliant one, wholly new and original. While it starts with two souls in one body, something we’ve certainly seen before, what Kurtagich does with it hasn’t been done in YA, and for the most part, it’s mind-blowingly good.
The story, admittedly, requires some suspension of disbelief, especially when it comes to health care professionals and the decisions they made for one obviously ill girl. I had a hard time believing that someone like Carly/Kaitlyn would be allowed to attend school with almost no supervision. The school itself was a bit odd in that its students had far too many liberties and not enough adults looking after them, which isn’t how boarding schools usually function.
The narrative is both very clinical and very emotional, and it is that contrast that allows us to really sink into it. The format creates an illusion of objectivity, but we feel Kaitlyn’s pain so strongly the entire time and we are unable to make clear-headed judgments. Kaitlyn’s diary entries are fairly brief and scattered, coherent at first, but less and less so as she declines into madness. Whether it’s justified or not, provoked or not, is the question we ask ourselves the entire time, but the decline itself is so skillfully and convincingly done.
Kurtagich’s prose is gorgeous and clever, surprisingly vivid and even lyrical at times. Her horror scenes reminded me of Kendare Blake in that they turned my stomach and made me feel such pity at the same time. Nothing about The Dead House felt rushed or poorly composed, and evoking certain emotions at precisely the right time seems to be one of Kurtagich’s strengths. Every single detail is in its place, which isn’t easy with such a complex, non-linear narrative.
The revelations, however, could have been paced a lot better. There came a time when we needed something to hold onto, something more substantial than the ramblings of a disturbed girl. The book itself is fairly long, but everything we learn comes at the very last pages. While every detail was important and deliciously creepy, the book would have been better if a few truths were revealed just a bit earlier.
Read this with your lights on. And find something cheery and uplifting to read right after, because you'll need it. But all the effort and the comfort food you'll undoubtedly eat will be worth it. The Dead House may be flawed, but it's a must-read. ...more
After two literary successes for young adults, the amazing Cat Winters is back with The Uninvited, a breathtaking story about a 25
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4.5 stars
After two literary successes for young adults, the amazing Cat Winters is back with The Uninvited, a breathtaking story about a 25-year-old girl fighting the heavy burden of her family’s sins. Winters takes us back to final days of World War I, right in the middle of the 1918 flu pandemic, and although it’s not her first foray into that very same time period, The Uninvited stands on its own two feet, beautiful and incomparable with anything she’s done before.
The psychology of war is a dreadful thing. The hate, the whispers, dehumanization, strengthened by very loud and convincing propaganda, combine to create an atmosphere of fear and turn regular people into mindless monsters. Winters’ understanding of this phenomenon, of the mass hysteria that is so easily created when people fear for their lives, is profound. Ivy’s father is one of those war-made monsters, and so is her 17-year-old brother. After they kill a German business owner in their small town, Ivy leaves home, ridden with guilt, to somehow make things right. For all her innocence, Ivy has a backbone of steel. Her moral compass is impeccable and her bravery is astounding. It takes a great person to swim out of that pool of hate and see things for what they are, and our Ivy manages beautifully. It’s not something that happens from one moment to the next, but the process itself is a thing to behold.
The unconventional romance is one of this book’s many strengths. Bonded by a terrible tragedy and more guilt than two people should ever carry, Ivy and Daniel find solace in each other, first physically, and then emotionally. It’s a long, painful road filled with surprises, but it’s one worth taking, even when you’re crying your eyes out. While it doesn’t quite reach the literary heights of In the Shadow of Blackbirds (then again, I suspect nothing ever will), The Uninvited is a flawless story by one of my favorite authors in the world. The magic of Cat Winters is very much alive and it seems to be a gift that just keeps on giving. ...more
Damage Done is one of those books that push us far outside our comfort zones, making us feel confused, scared and completely disgusted. It
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Damage Done is one of those books that push us far outside our comfort zones, making us feel confused, scared and completely disgusted. It was a considerable feat for Amanda Panitch and a huge risk to take for a debut novel, but being courageous enough to stretch the boundaries or even erase them altogether can certainly pay off, and it did.
We meet Julia Vann as she’s getting accustomed to her new life, in a new city and under a different name. Her parents packed up and ran from their past after a horrible crime, mostly for her benefit, and now she’s alone in a new city for the first time in her life, a tabula rasa free to become anything at all.
It’s clear from the start that Lucy/Julia has a lot to hide as she’s very consciously lying and manipulating her way through her new environment. The terrible crime her brother committed might be a looming shadow over her life, but her exact role in it remains unclear until the end. Through her eyes, as she slowly reveals her past to us, we see the development of a sociopath, feared by everyone but herself. While it’s clear that people can be born evil, it’s also quite obvious that nothing is ever that simple. Even those born with something essential missing can be changed by their environment, if those around them are interested or caring enough to actually get involved. Damage Done is a psychological thriller first, but at the same time, it’s a critique of parents, the school system and even, to a degree, mental health professionals, who can become so absorbed in their own problems that they completely miss the warning signs of those they’re responsible for.
Damage Done works hard to shock and astonish and it succeeds to a degree. It would probably work best for someone who’d go into it blindly, unaware of the many comparisons to Gillian Flynn and other similar thrillers. But even aware that something is coming, I couldn’t have possibly guessed the full extent of it or how unsettling it would all be.
For all the attention it gave to its protagonist, the book painfully neglected the secondary characters, leaving them unexplored, unexplained and completely two-dimensional, starting with Julia’s parents and ending with her new boyfriend Michael. Such lack of serious characterization should not have happened in what is essentially a psychological thriller, where everything is, and should be, about the characters.
Overall, Damage Done is disconcerting and scary as hell, but it’s a much needed breath of fresh air in YA fiction. I’m still reeling from the effect it had on me, and although uncomfortable, it makes for a nice change after all the lukewarm, forgettable reads.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review....more
Could I leave just that in lieu of my review? Because in this unique case, it might just be enough. Ridiculous. And sort of wonder3.5 stars Ridiculous.
Could I leave just that in lieu of my review? Because in this unique case, it might just be enough. Ridiculous. And sort of wonderful, but that goes without saying – after all, we’re dealing with Janet Evanovich, the uncrowned queen of wicked humor and insane sexual tension.
We rejoin our heroes as they continue their search for Seven Stones of Power. The stones reflect seven deadly sins, and with two found in the previous books, it is now time to find the stone of avarice. Lizzy and Diesel are Unmentionables, people with special powers, and although he’s far more experienced (in more ways than one, ahem), Diesel doesn’t stand a chance of finding the stones without Lizzy, who can sense their proximity and authenticity.
The plot is much stronger in Wicked Charms than in the previous two books, but it’s still a far cry from a structured, serious novel. After all, only Janet Evanovich could combine wannabe medieval knights, wannabe pirates, wannabe witches and one very rude monkey into something even close to coherent. Although it’s better plotted, this is still very much reminiscent of Looney Tunes and all the characters are just spectacularly silly. Ridiculous, I tell you.
The sexual tension in this book is insane! We’ve been waiting so long to see Lizzy and Diesel together, but one or both of them could lose their powers if they ever get together. Diesel himself is charming and hilarious, but I find myself even more attracted to his evil cousin and their nemesis Wulf. Everyone loves a bad boy, right?
Aside from his name on the cover, I didn’t notice any differences now that Phoef Sutton joined as co-author, which means that he did so quite seamlessly. I’m not sure how much he’s contributing at this point, but he got the overall tone of Janet’s writing perfectly. And now that he’s here, maybe we won’t have to wait three years for the next book. That last paragraph left me screaming for more.
If you’re looking for something to brighten up your day, you can’t possibly go wrong with one of Janet’s books, and especially not with this series. As long as you don’t expect anything even remotely serious, you’ll find yourself enjoying every word. Also, laughing like a lunatic is good for your abs, soldier. Go for it.
”Why can’t you save the world by yourself?” I asked Diesel. “Why do I have to go along?” “You have to do your touchy-feely thing. I’m big and strong and smokin’ hot, but I’m not touchy-feely.” This was all true.
“And I think he was taking pictures of us,” I said to the guard. “Up our skirts.” “You’re wearing jeans,” the guard said. “So we outsmarted him!” I said.
“I’m willing to trade this unpleasant monkey for the pieces of eight you’ve acquired and a small service from Ms. Tucker.” “Get serious,” Diesel said. “Keep the monkey.”
I truly enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I'm generally unaccustomed to that level of angst. I loved Harper and Malachi and their dynI truly enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I'm generally unaccustomed to that level of angst. I loved Harper and Malachi and their dynamic and I wholeheartedly believed in their romance. The same did not hold true for this second couple, no matter how hard I tried.
Archer and Conrad are both dominant personalities, but they're nevertheless attracted to each other. However, since neither of them wants to give in, everything between them is turned into a struggle, a fight for dominance. I couldn't shake the feeling that they both saw the one who relented as the weaker one, and it didn't sit well with me at all. I suppose their first sexual encounter was supposed to be hot, but it made me severely uncomfortable because the word 'no' was spoken far too many times, when a single one should have been enough. It's not a word to be used lightly, and playing with saying no while he actually means yes is just plain stupid.
On top of it all, the plot required some major suspension of disbelief, which would have been perfectly fine had the romance been strong enough. As it is, with neither side of this story working properly, I lost my interest towards the final part and had to force myself to finish. I'll read this author again in the future because I enjoyed several of her books, but this one just wasn't what I'm looking for in my romances at all.
2.5 stars Having read several negative reviews back when The Here and Now was first released, I nevertheless decided to give it a fair chance hoping I 2.5 stars Having read several negative reviews back when The Here and Now was first released, I nevertheless decided to give it a fair chance hoping I would feel differently, as I sometimes do. The opening part seemed very promising, which allowed me to think my stubbornness would be rewarded, but it quickly became clear that my opinion would align with those of several trusted friends. The Here and Now is not a bad book as such, but I found it lacking in characterization, scientific background and sometimes, unfortunately, even common sense.
My main problem with Brashares’ novel is that it completely neglects any scientific theories involving time travel. It addresses possible consequences superficially, choosing not to base them on one of many existing scientific debates. This lack of research, especially when there’s so much material to draw from, is truly the only thing I can’t overlook or forget.
Prenna starts out as an excellent character. She lives in a community of time travelers from the future under very strict rules. Her world was ruined by the plague and while those that traveled seem to be immune, they can nevertheless be extremely dangerous for the so called time natives. Unlike her peers, Prenna is no stranger to critical thinking and she’s ready to defy her elders when their many rules make little sense. Although I liked her at the start, I soon noticed that Prenna was a pretty generic character, with nothing that would make her stand out and be remembered. She was rebellious, but not convincingly so, and it didn’t take long for her to lose my affection.
After four years of living by the rules, Prenna breaks them because of a boy. Ethan was present when she first arrived to her new life, but she doesn’t actually remember him. Still, there’s an undeniable closeness and a strong friendship that develops despite all the lies. Despite genuinely liking him, I was a bit perplexed by Ethan’s character because he seemed to transform into anything the story (or Prenna) required. He had access to tiny tracker devices, he understood very advanced physics, was able to run away with Prenna and rescue her from a well-guarded facility. His many talents were so unlikely that they constantly challenged my suspension of disbelief.
The upside of this book is that it’s fairly short and very easy to read. Even though it’s severely flawed, it’s pretty entertaining while you’re actually reading it. The story may not be able to withstand close scrutiny, but parts of it are enjoyable nevertheless.
2.5 stars Sarah Alderson is known for light, action-packed and swoon-worthy reads, and Out of Control is no different. She may have removed the paranor2.5 stars Sarah Alderson is known for light, action-packed and swoon-worthy reads, and Out of Control is no different. She may have removed the paranormal element, but the basic formula remains the same. If it works, why change it? And for the most part, if action is what yu’re after, it still works like a charm.
Out of Control is basically a movie on page. It definitely reads like one – it has a movie-like quality to it that is most certainly intentional. This is what Alderson does best. Her stories are never particularly deep, nor are they unforgettable, but they are, as a rule, endlessly entertaining and romantic.
Unfortunately, the extremely fast pacing leaves me with very little to say about the characters. There are no secondary characters to speak of as the story is centered very firmly around Liva and Jay. But even the two of them weren’t as developed as they should have been. After the very exciting and explosive beginning, with the two of them on the run, the book consisted mostly of them being discovered and somehow managing to evade their pursuers. It was repetitive and a tiny bit tedious, especially when both of them kept making stupid mistakes over and over again-.
If you’re someone who enjoys movies like The Terminator, with a whole lot of action and a delightful romance, Out of Control is simply perfect for you. I think I read somewhere that the opening scene was written in homage to the famous film, so it should come as no surprise that the overall mood reminds strongly of it as well.
As for Alderson herself, I haven’t given up completely. She will be back (read this in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice), hopefully with something more meaningful next time.
I went into this book with no small amount of trepidation. The book description seems to imply that there’s a lot of angst in this story, and I’m in nI went into this book with no small amount of trepidation. The book description seems to imply that there’s a lot of angst in this story, and I’m in no mood for it at all. However, I’ve been following Jay Clark on social media for quite a while now and angst doesn’t seem to be his thing, so I decided to give this book a chance after all. I was right about the angst part, at least.
While it’s true that Finding Mr. Brightside is blissfully free of angst, it’s also devoid of any sweetness. It’s a pretty claustrophobic little book that revolves around two characters, Juliette and Abram, with only two or three more secondary characters to lighten things up a bit. Juliette’s mother and Abram’s father were having an affair and they died together in a car accident. Juliette and Abram are both grieving in their own ways, but Juliette is having a much harder time getting over her anger. Abram didn’t strike me as angry. He didn’t strike me as anything, really, and I can’t say that his character stood out in any memorable way. As for Juliette, her behavior often made me very uncomfortable, and while I can forgive some of it because of her grief, she was sometime bossy and appallingly inconsiderate of others. Not something I want in my heroines.
Finding Mr. Brightside tries too hard to be quirky and different, and while it succeeds with the latter, it falls considerably short with the former. I had high hopes for it, especially after reading the first few, very promising chapters. But after the initial humor, the rest mostly just fell flat, and I ended up struggling to finish this unusually short book.
It’s pretty obvious that Jay Clark has a lot of talent, though, and I’m positive that he can and will show it. I don’t think he’s found his voice quite yet, but he’s getting there.I have high hopes for his next book.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
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