A Little Life is nothing short of extraordinary. Please bare with me on this review, because it'll be long, probably not proofed correctly, and emA Little Life is nothing short of extraordinary. Please bare with me on this review, because it'll be long, probably not proofed correctly, and emotional for me. Never in my life have I been so personally touched by a fiction novel. A Little Life centers around four best friends: Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Jude—taking you from their first apartments in New York, and progressing decades later. The four friends are all struggling in their own rite, but have big dreams of success and ambition. Willem is working at restaurants, trying to break into acting; Jude has dreams of being a powerful attorney, JB is dedicated to his art, and Malcolm wants to succeed as an architect. We are invited on the journey of their lives, but I'm not too sure that everyone will be able to handle it.
As with any group of friends, as time progresses; their friendships will evolve and change. I can't go more into that sentence about friendships, but I can say that as the friendships change, they all eventually band toward being a support system for Jude. Jude's past continues to haunt him—his horrendous struggles growing up should never be something anyone should ever have to go through. Jude compensates his personal struggles and depression by excelling at the law firm that he works for, and by self-harm. A Little Life is a beautifully told story, but it is dark and I'll have to place a disclaimer for you: self-harm, rape, domestic abuse, and drug addiction are covered throughout the story, and just when you think the topic has subsided, it grows. That being said, let's get to my thoughts. There will be some spoilers, but I will make sure to cover them when possible.
My thoughts: I have never read anything like A Little Life in my entire life. I fell in love with these men, in ways that I never thought would be possible (since it's a fiction novel and these characters don't exist). A Little Life is raw, dark, and beautifully told. The story is broken into seven parts, and it's an epic novel to dedicate time to pick up. While reading Part One: Lispenard Street, and half of Part Two: The Postman, I was contemplating putting this story down, and picking up something else that is at a faster pace. A Little Life is the slowest burn you'll ever meet, but once it gets started (think like page 250- yikes!), you're captured under Hanya Yanagihara's spell. I began to feel like JB, Malcolm, (and especially) Willem, and Jude were people I cared about—they were people I loved. It's so weird to admit that out loud, but that's ultimately how I felt.
Spoilers for those who read the story, because I realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyy want to talk about this until the end of time:
(view spoiler)[As the story continues, Jude's depression and self-harm continues to grow, and the reader finds out more about his past. I cried hearing about Jude's sexual assaults, his physical abuse, and his childhood in general. No one should ever have to experience anything like that in their life. There's so many moments that had me on the edge of my seat: JB's meth addiction, Jude's life with the POS Brother Luke, and Harold's adoption of Jude, but I loved when Willem and Jude became a couple. It's the most touching moment of the story, and something that resonated with me completely. I had hope for them and for a possible happy outcome of the story. Their Happy Yearsmade me happy!. A Little Life is not about having a "happy ending", but rather tell the truth about pain and suffering. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried reading about Willem and Malcolm's death, and I sobbed at Jude's suicide. I wanted them all to succeed, but that isn't how the world works. (hide spoiler)]
I'm getting a little emotional even writing this review, but I want to thank you Hanya Yanagihara. Thank you for tastefully covering the issues gay men deal with in a hetero-normative society so beautifully tragic (we are still going through the ringer, folks!). Thank you for speaking to issues people experience, or know people who experience without shame, and without fantasy. Thank you for setting up the beautiful story in Parts One and Two, just to make sure I'd stick it out until the end. Thank you for showing me Willem and Jude's love and doing it so tastefully. And lastly, thank you for writing A Little Life, I'll never forget Jude, Willem, JB, Malcolm, and Harold, and I'll never forget A Little Life....more
Hi everyone—this will be my first blog tour post ever, so I'd like to thank Atria Books for choosing me to participate!
I'd be lying to you if I didn'tHi everyone—this will be my first blog tour post ever, so I'd like to thank Atria Books for choosing me to participate!
I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you how real, honest, and raw Tell Me Lies is. Lucy Albright, young Long Island twenty-something year old has moved across the country to California to enroll in college. Embracing her new chapter at life, Lucy makes new friends, enjoys the college lifestyle of partying while balancing school work, and venturing into romance. Lucy stumbles across Stephen DeMarco one night and the duo's chemistry is magnetic. While Stephen isn't as physically attractive as the stunners that Lucy typically dates/hooks up with, she is intrigued by Stephen and his charm.
Stephen begins investigating into Lucy's life—in hopes of tailoring his personality to match hers and win her over. (I can't even hate because I've definitely done that in college as well). Stephen's antics end up winning Lucy over and the two forge a romantic relationship. The duo's relationship, at best, can be deemed problematic. Lucy knows that Stephen isn't the right man for her, but she just can't let him go.
The one aspect of why Tell Me Lies is such a profound and shockingly (I typically don't read romance) compelling story for me is because it's so relatable, while also maintaining it's entertainment factor. We have all been in Lucy's position before; dating the wrong person, knowing how bad the match is, but refusing to let go. As the token gay best friend in many of my friends' lives, I have seen my girlfriends date horrendous excuses for boyfriends countless times. I have tried time and time again in helping them ditch these losers to no avail. Seriously ladies, what's in the water?! #LoveYou #GotYourBack #GBFF
Tell Me Lies should be introduced to young women everywhere (either as a summer reading for High Schoolers or promoted on college campus book clubs) because this all too real situation between toxic men with serious personality disorders. Carola Lovering, I am buying a copy for my younger sister and telling her to learn from Lucy's mistakes so they don't happen to you.
I resonated with both Lucy and her friends so much because I used to be them. Partying, hooking up, dating the wrong person—this coming of age story is not too unfamiliar for me. The likability of these characters is hard, because at some point of another you've been them. I ended up finishing Tell Me Lies, questioning myself as a person, but also how to work on myself and learn to prevent missteps in the future.
Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I've just launched my blog at www.scaredstraightuplate.wordpress.com if you'd like to see my latest reviews....more
yes. Yes. YES. YESSSSSSSSS! This was the exact book that I needed to read right now folks, you have no idea. Cristina Alger, I am now a new fan of youyes. Yes. YES. YESSSSSSSSS! This was the exact book that I needed to read right now folks, you have no idea. Cristina Alger, I am now a new fan of yours and please don't mind my raving right now. Don't be fooled by the "wife" in it's title, because The Banker's Wife is anything but a reiteration of the "girl" and "wife" psychological thrillers that have been mass produced since 2014. The Banker's Wife is completely original, while following a long forgotten formula for mystery/thriller novels. I'll get more to why this novel is so amazing, but let's try to wrap up a quick plot breakdown for you, shall we?
The Banker's Wife features multiple points of view, but the main two you really should be focusing on are Marina Tourneau and Annabel Werner. Marina is currently dating wealthy entrepreneur Grant Ellis, who's father is about to announce his run for presidency. Marina works for Press magazine, and while on vacation, she gets a disturbing call from her mentor. He has the story of a lifetime, but by pursuing it, could also put her life in danger. Marina is ready for the challenge, but is she in over her head? Annabel Werner and her husband Matthew are former New Yorkers, and have moved to Geneva for the chance to grow Matthew's career. Matthew works for investment bank Swiss United, and the duo's lifestyle has drastically changed since pursuing this opportunity. Living the life that people only dream of, Annabel comes home one day to find out disturbing information about her husband. This world of finance and investmenting can be tainted when dealing with sharks. Is Annabel ready to run from the life she helped her husband create, or will she further deepen her involvement in a world where the lines of morality and legality are blurred?
Folks, I really can't go into the plot anymore than I already have. I already said too much... The reason why The Banker's Wife is so amazing, is that it'll keep you guessing until the epilogue! I was seriously on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this story. The Banker's Wife follows the format of mystery and thriller novels that has long been forgotten, and makes it work. In this story; the narrator/s are trustworthy, the plot twists are believable, and the story doesn't revolve around the same regurgitated drunken female protagonist trying to figure out what happened while under the influence. We dive into the world of finance; a world that I know little about, and we get to have a peek of the underworld that is currently existing in society with no consequences today. I will be talking about this book for some time to come.
The Banker's Wife will be released July 2, so please get ready for this to knock out your summer!...more
Let's get one thing clear—I am way too stupid to accurately judge or critique Night Soil. That being said, it is a beautifully told a2.5 / 5 stars
Let's get one thing clear—I am way too stupid to accurately judge or critique Night Soil. That being said, it is a beautifully told and intelligently written fiction novel, focusing on racism, sexuality, family, and contemporary art. The story is told by Judas Stammers, son of artist/potter Dixie Stammers. The duo live in an overcrowded apartment until Dixie is discovered by art aficionados and her career begins to soar. Judas suffers from physical abnormalities and an interpersonal strain with his mother. Judas hides in his own world of mystery and seclusion due to his birthmark that covers half his body, including his face—leaving him shy and detached from others around him.
Judas attends his education at The Academy, founded by an ancestor, under mysterious circumstances. While Judas attends his schooling, he masks his loneliness by escaping through his sexuality. Judas explores his sexuality via bathroom stalls and anonymous sexual experiences. Judas refuses to show people who he really is, not only physically, but personally. As Judas learns more about his family dynamic, he starts learning about the secrets his family kept hidden for generations. Judas is in an exploration of who he is and what he wants to be.
Night Soil is best when it makes no apologies—it is written as if you are reading a diary or attending a therapy appointment. It's blunt, sarcastic, and intelligently constructed. While the story fell flat and left me wanting to know more, its an interesting read if you want to break out of your comfort zone. It's a slow-burn at its core—taking over 50% to get to the heart of the story arc, but if you keep reading, you'll enjoy it.
When the Lights Go Out is my first Mary Kubica novel, and after hearing how amazing her previously told stories are—I knew that I needed to pick uWhen the Lights Go Out is my first Mary Kubica novel, and after hearing how amazing her previously told stories are—I knew that I needed to pick up this copy immediately. Jessie Sloane is dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death. Her mother has been battling cancer for years, starting when Jessie was only 16. Jessie has made her mother's care her priority—pushing off getting a license, going to college, and moving into her own apartment. Jessie's sleep patterns have been majorly impacted while caring for her mother, and now her sleep schedule has been decimated.
As Jessie copes with her mother's death, she decides it's time to start focusing on herself. When she applies for college, the school mentions to her that her social security number is invalid. Ironically, Jessie seem to can't find her social security card anywhere to prove to the school's administration that it does, in fact, exist. When she contacts authorities to get her birth certificate, they have her ruled as deceased. Utterly confused, Jessie tries to uncover why she was declared dead at the age of three. While trying to investigate these matters in her own hands, Jessie's lack of sleep starts playing tricks on her—second guessing everything and everyone.
When the Lights Go Out is not the most original story that I've seen recently, but that's ok, because Mary Kubica's writing is impeccable. The first 50 pages captured me and held me onto the story, but then the story ventured in a slower pace than what I was expecting. Kubica definitely tries to throw some hardball and red herrings into the plot, which I appreciate. While I was able to guess what happened almost immediately, I do think that I've fallen victim of reading too many mysteries and figuring out their formula. I will definitely go into the archives of Kubica's works and pick up another one of her stories, since I've heard so much about them, but I warn fans of her works that this may not live up to their expectations. ...more
Lying in Wait is a family-driven drama with gothic undertones and in-your-face psychological dark storytelling.
I have never read anything by Liz NugenLying in Wait is a family-driven drama with gothic undertones and in-your-face psychological dark storytelling.
I have never read anything by Liz Nugent, but I see all of her books talked about on social media and Goodreads. Lying in Wait is my first read by the famously talented author and was very excited to pick it up. The story starts off with a bang immediately; setting the tone for the rest of the story going forward. The story POVs alternate between Lydia Fitzsimmons, her son Laurence, and Karen Doyle, but mainly Lydia is the character to focus on here. Lydia comes from a very successful family lineage and is introduced to her future husband by her father. As time progresses, Lydia's family falls on hard times—their family accountant embezzles their money and runs off leaving them in financial turmoil. The Fitzsimmons family then continues to struggle with controversy when the two accidentally kill a woman by the name Annie Doyle. Their family dynamic proves to be forever changed through these negligent and murderous decisions.
Lying in Wait is the type of book that you would enjoy more if you go into it blind. When picking up this book, I immediately thought that the main story arc would be about Annie's murder, but the story is actually a lot more robust than just a simple murder mystery. We deal with family dynamics, mental health, teenage bullying—the list goes on! When you think you know how the story is going to progress, Ms. Nugent throws us a curveball (seriously folks, that ending!!). If you're looking for a light mystery read, similar to The French Girl or House of Spines (minus the ghost undertones), then Lying in Wait would be a good recommendation for you to pick up.
Thank you Gallery Books for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review Lying in Wait will be released in the United States on June 12, 2018. ...more
First and foremost, I'm happy to say that RUTH WARE IS BACK! I've been a fan of Ruth Ware since Day 1. In a Dark, Dark Wood was such a good debut lighFirst and foremost, I'm happy to say that RUTH WARE IS BACK! I've been a fan of Ruth Ware since Day 1. In a Dark, Dark Wood was such a good debut light-mystery novel and The Woman in Cabin 10 was one of my favorite mystery novels of all time. After my disappointment with The Lying Game, I still was hopeful for The Death of Mrs. Westaway. Ruth Ware went back to her roots with The Death of Mrs. Westaway and created a robust, multifaceted, and fascinating story. Seriously guys, I read this 360+ page book in one sitting!
Harriet (Hal) Westaway is a young twenty-something year old tarot card reader in Brighton, England. She is struggling to pay the bills; barely making rent while her business is providing dismal financial stability. With loan sharks out to enforce their illegal and exploitative payment plans, Hal is looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. Her mother died years ago, and she has no family to lean on—she is utterly alone. As Hal checks her mail, she receives notice that her grandmother, Hester Mary Westaway, has recently passed away and has left Hal an inheritance of some kind. Hal believes this to be a clerical error of some kind because her grandparents have been dead for years. Desperate, Hal decides that she can fraudulently try and claim this inheritance as her own—she's been conning innocent people for years as a tarot card reader and this will just be another gig for her.
When Hal arrives to the Westaway family home, she quickly finds herself immersed in a rich family history that quickly starts to crumble. Something is wrong with this family, but Hal just can't seem to grasp what is so concerning. In a world of family dynamics, betrayal, and greed; The Death of Mrs. Westaway delivers a realistic mystery crime-fiction novel that will keep you hooked from page one.
I know it's lame to compare author's works to each other, but in order to show the reasoning behind my five-star rating for The Death of Mrs. Westaway, I'm going to have to tell you how this story differs from Ware's other works. At its core, The Death of Mrs. Westaway provides a lot more atmospheric undertones than anything she's ever produced. Its gothic atmosphere provides a higher level of suspense that I have yet to see in anything else. This story is a lot more dense than In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10; you can really see the progress Ruth Ware has made in her writing and she continually fine tunes it in this story. For about a good 30% of the book, we have the characterization of Hal set perfectly. At first, I immediately felt that this was going to be a slow burn novel, but I was wrong because everything comes full circle. We see Hal's desperation come to life and her willingness to deceive to survive. Hal is not the typical alcoholic unreliable narrator that we have come to grow tired of in every suspense novel that has been published since 2015. Hal is entertaining and honestly refreshing. When we meet the secondary characters, they are all unique and interesting in their own way. Each character in The Death of Mrs. Westaway is fully developed and multi-dimensional.
After reading the synopsis, throw everything you think about Ruth Ware novels out the window. The Death of Mrs. Westaway will keep you guessing until the very end (seriously, I thought the story was winding down and was completely thrown off by the end). Thank you Scout Press/Gallery Books for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Death of Mrs. Westaway will be released May 29, 2018.
One for sorrow Two for joy Three for a girl Four for a boy Five for silver Six for gold Seven for a secret Never to be told....more
This review will be relatively short because I can't really divulge too much of the plot without ruining the story for you. All the Ugly2.5/5 stars
This review will be relatively short because I can't really divulge too much of the plot without ruining the story for you. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things is a beautifully written story by Bryn Greenwood, who has expertly delivered a successful narrative for us to devour. The story flips between various POV's to portray the story of a young girl Wavonna (nicknamed Wavy) and her family in Oklahoma during the mid-1970s and 1980s. Wavy's parents are both mentally unhinged meth dealers that spend their time in-and-out of jail, cheating on each other, and fighting. Wavy has an estranged relationship with her aunt/uncle and their kids, but she finds comfort in her friendship with Kellen, an overweight felon who works as a gooney for her father. Over time, their relationship develops into something more intense, and more deeply rooted than anyone could imagine. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things takes us down to the gutter with how some of the lowest of low live in the United States.
Alright, so this Bryn Greenwood is an amazing writer. She can tell a story so perfectly, that even when I'm completely disgusted with myself for continuing the story, I want to keep reading. There are so many different POV's that I lost count, but Greenwood does not confuse the reader with unrelated sub-plots to divert us from the main story. This is probably the first time that I've seen an author so perfectly juggle so many different points of view without making a mess of the storyline. The story is also broken into five (5) different parts; starting off strong in Parts 1 and 2, but crashing and burning as the story develops. I really enjoyed reading the mess that Wavy's family was in because it took me out of my element. It allowed me to see what other people around the country may be dealing with that is not part of my daily struggle. America has big drug problems, class inequality disparities, and vastly different societal roles so it was very entertaining to see how Greeenwood would develop the story. As we get into Parts 3-5, it really became a "love story" rather than a drama or tragedy. This is where the story became too filthy for me. I believe authors have a social responsibility to educate the reader when developing these taboo storylines. This "love story" between Kellen and Wavy was portrayed as one of the only positive elements to the plot, and that's disgusting. I can deal with the element of pedophilia, along with the other themes in the book, if the story was more objectively portrayed. People who wanted to protect Wavy were painted as villains, weren't provided a POV, nor had any character development. This is not a love story and shouldn't have been marketed as one. Moments like this make me feel like I got caught in some cheap party trick to give someone (in this case, the author) attention for something undeserved. I wish you all success with this book, as this is obviously not a popular critic of this book. It just wasn't for me. #bookBye #makeYourExitKellen...more
So bear with me because I've never read Lolita and I was told that it inspired this gruesome, heartbreaking tale.
It's 1948 and Sally Horner is a studSo bear with me because I've never read Lolita and I was told that it inspired this gruesome, heartbreaking tale.
It's 1948 and Sally Horner is a studious, 11 year old girl; desperate for the acceptance of her peers. Sally ends up being introduced to the elite core group of girls in her class and tries to engage in a friendship with them. In order for her to gain entry to this group of popular and powerful girls, Sally must steal something from the local store. As the girls enter the store, Sally tries to steal a notebook, but she is quickly apprehended by a man claiming to be a FBI. Sally, nervous and innocent, believes this man to be true and follows his orders—do everything he says or he will be sending her to prison.
Sally ends up embarking with this man for years, traveling from city to city, with excuse after excuse. Her family is worried sick about her, especially her mother Ella. Ella feels responsible for the kidnapping of her daughter and the guilt is exacerbated when the police find out that she was taken by Frank LaSalle, a serial rapist and con-artist. In a several-years long cat and mouse game, Sally and Frank disappear from the world they left behind.
Rust and Stardust is a fiction novel, but is based on the experience of real-life victim Sally Horner and her captor Frank LaSalle. These two people actually did exist in history and their story is virtually the same as how T. Greenwood told it. The story is strong and gripping, while also emotional and personal. I was absolutely captured by the story and emotionally triggered by Sally and her experience and with Frank. Every single character (minus Frank) is relatable, and likeable in some capacity. It almost received five stars from me, but the story features a lot of irrelevant POVs that could have been removed, allowing for the focus to be more on Sally, her mother, her sister, and her neighbor Ruth. While the amount of pointless POVs kind of deterred me from absolutely falling enamored with this story, I don't think it really takes away from the story or the experience—I may just be a little too critical.
I read Rust and Stardust in one sitting, so you know it's fast-paced and hypnotizing. I truly think this will be one of the blockbuster hits of this summer, no wait, this year!...more
When the Real Housewives and Big Little Lies collide—Jessica Knoll's The Favorite Sister is a perfect concoction of both reality television and femaleWhen the Real Housewives and Big Little Lies collide—Jessica Knoll's The Favorite Sister is a perfect concoction of both reality television and female dynamics.
When I heard Jessica Knoll was coming out with a second novel that exploited the reality television genre in the same vein of the Real Housewives, I was immediately sold. How can I get a copy? What do I need to do? Who's going to be Bethenny Frankel in her book?! I'd do almost anything to get my hands on a copy, no joke. The story involves five wealthy women in New York City who are all featured in the hit reality television show called Goal Diggers. Goal Diggers is a show that strives to show millennial women successfully undertaking careers, while pushing gender norms aside. This cast is uninterested in having children and being stay-at-home mothers; they'd rather break the Forbes 100 list. In this dynamic group, we have Brett Courtney—a twenty-seven year old lesbian woman who is unafraid of what people may say about her body image and runs a yoga studio called SPOKE. She is tattooed and voluptuous, and she makes no apologies for it. Stephanie Simmons can be deemed the token black woman character on the cast, but she is so much more than that. She is a successful author, businesswoman, and wife; who has just released her empowering memoir that is breaking sales records. Lauren Bunn has launched her innovative dating app that is growing in popularity each day, but her drunken antics have caught tabloid attention that overshadows all the success that she has gained. Jen Greenberg, daughter of philanthropist and socialite Yvette Greenberg, has become the voice for dieting and health food options, claiming that her food line not only encourages a healthy body and mind, but also is a catalyst for success. Lastly, we meet Kelly Courtney, Brett's sister and cofounder of SPOKE. Kelly is the newest cast member for the upcoming season and really doesn't fit the mold of the initial concept of the series. She has a twelve year old daughter and is a single mother with modest flair. Goal Diggers is set to begin filming, but nobody would have guessed that it would end in murder.
I don't want to get any further into the plot than just introducing you to the cast and providing the main theme of the story. The story develops much further than that little blurb, but I felt that you really need a cheat sheet for the main five characters because we are quickly introduced to all five of them (and at least 3-4 secondary characters) immediately. Take the blurb about the cast and carry it with you while you read, I wish I had one! The beginning of The Favorite Sister was rough, I have to tell you. We are thrown way too much about the cast early on, with long chapters that don't provide us a break to digest what we just read. We don't really go anywhere in the first part of this novel because there's too much catch up for us to get to. The novel is broken into several parts, and each part is more enjoyable than its predecessor. Once I got to the halfway mark, I was hooked! As you get to the core of the story, we learn about the exploitation of reality television, we see the dynamics between family and friends, we see how society has forced feminism and women empowerment into a women-eat-women world, and we see fame and notoriety being used as a drug and the lengths people will go for that drug. One thing that I found so profound in The Favorite Sister was the theme of casual racism in every day life. We see a portrayal of how society uses casual racism in dating, business, and overall privilege. I did not expect this novel to even touch any of those topics, and for that I'm grateful. I believe that these thematic elements of the story will resonate with more readers than Ms. Knoll probably imagined. I loved that this story touched on all these different themes without feeling overloaded on plot. The plot is clearly defined as you go on and the story really doesn't deter from that.
The Favorite Sister is NOT a thriller or a suspense novel in ANY CAPACITY and if anyone tells you otherwise, they're lying. The Favorite Sister really is a drama that may also feel like a tragedy at times. Ugh I can keep talking more about the story, but I think I drove the point home. It's time to pick up this book on May 15, 2018. Will I be buying a hard cover for my collection? Absolutely.
Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Well.... it's happened everybody. I promised myself that I would never give a 1 star review for a book. I really tried to like this book, but it was pWell.... it's happened everybody. I promised myself that I would never give a 1 star review for a book. I really tried to like this book, but it was painful to even get to the end. Barbara Michaels' Witch is set in rural Virginia, where Ellen March purchases a farmhouse to reside in with lots of land, with a humble, quaint, small town atmosphere. Prior to purchasing the house, Ellen is warned by the current owner about the rumors surrounding the property—the myth of a witch's ghost haunting the premises. Unfazed, Ellen excitedly purchases the property and seeks to set a new life for herself. She meets with the local townsfolk, neighbors; and learns more about the town and the ghost story surrounding her property. As her time at her new property lingers, Ellen quickly finds out that a witch would be the least of her problems.
Alright alright alright—this book bored me to death. I really wanted to like this book after seeing it on a fan-site (forgot where). I wanted to pick up an older book that hasn't been on my feed and show some support. I know my tolerance for formal writing has dissipated over the years, but the dialogue between Ellen and the secondary characters was brutal. I am aware that Witch was originally published in the 1970s, and I really did take that into account but I don't care what decade this is in, the language used by Barbara Michaels was ridiculous. The other excruciating focus of this book for me was that it was hardly about the witch and more about Ellen's drama with her neighbors. W.H.O. C.A.R.E.S.?
Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer but this was just a painful and boring read. Maybe I'll just stick to contemporary works from now on. If you had a good time with Witch, please let me know! I'm curious to hear other opinions....more
Joe Nesbø's Macbeth is a standalone retelling of William Shakespeare's Macbeth with a modern day, Joe Nesbø crime fiction spin that we all love anJoe Nesbø's Macbeth is a standalone retelling of William Shakespeare's Macbeth with a modern day, Joe Nesbø crime fiction spin that we all love and respect from the Stephen King of police drama novels. The novel starts sets the stage in the 1970s, in a destitute, crime and drug ridden town in rural Norway, where the townsfolk are ruled by addiction. Both drug ring leaders, Sweno and Hecate, are the supreme leaders of the organized crime and drug power in the town. Another ruler of the town is Lady, who owns and operates the town's casino, Inverness. After a successful crime bust, Macbeth is promoted to the Head of the Organized Crime Unit. Through manipulation and the thirst for power, the shift of balance in the crime force is completely descended. If you are a lover of William Shakespeare or the New York production of Sleep No More, I encourage you to check this story out.
My rating I am giving this story right down the middle 3 stars out of 5 and I'll tell you why. Although I'm not the biggest Shakespeare fan, I do enjoy Macbeth and was excited to pick up this retelling. I have broken down reasons why Joe Nesbø's upcoming book gets a right down the middle review for me.
1. The characters in this story are very similar to Shakespeare's story. Mainly, most of the characters are named exactly as their original counterparts, which at first was interesting, but then sort of bored me. I've read other retellings where the cast of character slightly deviate from the characterization in their original work and it has worked astoundingly for me. It allows the reader to not guess the next steps of each character and also not be bored by a story that they've read or heard already. It keeps the reader engaged, focused, and confused (but in a good way!). This was my main concern about this story and I felt the need to get that out there first before getting into the good stuff.
2. In contrast to the character originality, the story presented to us is uniquely defined and was masterfully done. Rather than the story be about royals and servants, this retelling involves crime units and drug lords–still interconnecting the main themes that you come to expect with this story: manipulation, power, greed. These centralized themes are portrayed perfectly from the moment you crack open the book, until the final chapter. Human behavior can be it's own worst enemy.
3. This was my first read by Jo Nesbø, but everyone I know has been raving about him for a long time so I figured, let me start off with a standalone and see what I thought. Jo Nesbø is truly an artist when it comes to creating the picture with words. I could picture exactly what Nesbø was describing and it was incredibly captivating for me. He can uniquely describe a setting better than most authors I've come across lately, and that is a skill that can't be taught
My final thoughts: If you've never read Macbeth or absolutely loved it, pick up this book! If you're hesitant because you know what happens already, or want something a little more original–maybe sit this one out. Retellings can be difficult to review, because everyone has a different emotional attachment to the story being reenacted and I truly believe that this story will also be polarizing.
Macbeth will be released in April 2018. I was provided an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review....more
I really didn't think I'd find a YA novel before the new year to give 5 stars to, but I'm pleasantly surprised! Lynn Weingarten's Bad Girls5 stars!
I really didn't think I'd find a YA novel before the new year to give 5 stars to, but I'm pleasantly surprised! Lynn Weingarten's Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is the perfect YA quick-read to pick up this year. Main character, high school student Sasha, has a platonic friendship with fellow student Xavier, but dreams to one day make the next step towards having a romantic relationship with him. Sasha sets the perfect night to reveal her true feelings for Xavier—his birthday celebration. Sasha and Xavier have a low key celebration, partying at the local dive bar, and everything is set in motion, until Xavier's ex-girlfriend Ivy shows up. Ivy is a manipulative, impulsive, and a somewhat sociopathic foil to Sasha's plans. Xavier and Ivy end up rekindling their romance that night—spiraling Sasha to the point of no return.
Sasha arrives back at her place and plots her revenge. To prove Ivy's disloyal behavior, Sasha poses as a guy on Instagram and sets up the account perfectly. She plans on catfishing Ivy and showing Xavier exactly what kind of person he is dealing with. That is, until something horribly goes wrong.
Guys and gals, it's happened. I fell in love with a YA novel. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is campy, dark, dramatic, and the ending is CHILLING. Honestly no tea/no shade, but this is everything that There's Someone Inside Your House tried to be and failed. Sure, the level of campiness here may not be suitable for everyone, but it really is a contemporary piece of a dramatic love story that is not only raw, but captivating (who knew?).
I really enjoyed that this book didn't carry on for longer than it needed to. At less than 300 pages, Ms. Weingarten covers the entire story, throwing twists that you will not see coming along the way. I was happy that this could be finished in either one or two sittings easily. Now what's my next read by Lynn Weingarten?
There's Someone Inside Your House by YA romance author Stephanie Perkins is a debut thriller that initially gives off Scream vibes from the initiaThere's Someone Inside Your House by YA romance author Stephanie Perkins is a debut thriller that initially gives off Scream vibes from the initial synopsis. Makani Young is a student at Osbourne High School in rural Kansas, moving from Hawaii to live with her maternal grandmother as a vitriolic divorce battles between her parents rages on. The story starts off with the murder of one of Osbourne High School's prized students, Haley Whitehall—crippling the town's status quo and jumpstarting a new era of turmoil for this small town. One by one, Osbourne's student body is slowly coming to the demise by a sadistic, yet savvy killer. Who's the killer? Why is this person attacking "innocent" (wink wink) people, and how can it be stopped?
*breathes deeply* Welp. Alright guys and gals, this was bad. I guess this is what happens when you have an author switch genres from young adult romance to thriller slasher horror. It just doesn't work for me and I'll tell you why.
The Characters The character development is lacking so hard in this book. We are introduced to Makani, her love interest Ollie, her grandmother, and her friends Darby and Alex. We are also introduced to a plethora of secondary characters who end up taking a more prominent role than a majority of the main deck of characters that Ms. Perkins provides for us. This tactic just doesn't work for me because I really don't care what a character we meet on one page does to affect the story. Why not divulge more into that/those character/s so I'm fully vested? It just doesn't make sense that poorly discussed characters have too much power in this plot.
When we do learn more about the main characters, there really aren't any personality traits or prominent portrayals about them either. You could literally take the person's name and almost interchangeably use someone else and the story could go on.
The Story I picked this book up expecting it to be nostalgic of 90s slasher films like Scream or I Know What You Did Last Summer (I was praying to my gay training guide that there'd be a Ryan Phillippe -esque character here but alas that was also not given to me with this story), but what I got was more Nickelodeon's Degrassi. I feel like I was hoodwinked by the synopsis and the initial discussion about the book. This book is a romance novel with a minor slasher/whodunnit theme and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
What also lacked was minor secondary and tertiary plot developments in this book that really didn't amount to anything of significance. We touch on Makani's life before moving to Osbourne—yawn. We touch on Ollie's relationship with his brother and family farm—ok, I guess. Why not further develop these sub-plots and loop them into the story?
What I did enjoy The one and maybe only thing I really enjoyed about There's Someone Inside Your House was that the characters were very diverse. This isn't your #whitepeopleproblems story where everyone is blonde, blue-eyed, straight, white people drinking pumpkin spiced-lattes and listening to Taylor Swift. We see racially diverse people, lgbtq characters, and also hear the perspectives of those who are bullied, rather than the cheerleading squad or football quarterbacks complaining that they "can't even".
Final Thoughts So now that I've complained and moaned with this review, I do believe that people who enjoy romance novels and young adult novels shouldn't be deterred by this review. In fact, I encourage you to pick this one up if those genres interest you because There's Someone Inside Your House is a spot-on choice for those seeking teen romance reads with something a little more complicated....more
If We Were Villains is an intoxicating, modern day tragedy that spectacularly shows the effects that loyalty, betra4.5/5 stars so I'm rounding up.
If We Were Villains is an intoxicating, modern day tragedy that spectacularly shows the effects that loyalty, betrayal, jealousy, and rage can affect not only yourself, but everyone around you. Oliver Marks has been released from jail after serving a ten year sentence. Detective Joseph Colborne sits down with Oliver and simply just wants to know; "Why?"
Flashback to the moment of truth, we are introduced to Oliver and his actor friends; Richard, Meredith, Wren, Filippa, Alexander, and lastly, James; attending an elite drama school for the gifted. These young adult students (think college age) are driven, obnoxious, privileged, and desperate to succeed at all costs. As their tenure at the school progresses, their roles on stage start to become their roles off stage. As competition begins to get more intense, inner demons and drastic measures are taken, leaving people to face their deepest and darkest secrets.
If We Were Villains is a beautifully written and tragic masterpiece. M.L. Rio's debut novel miraculously intertwines Shakespeare, love, and betrayal so effortlessly that I could not put the book down. I was drawn in originally by the cover and the title of this novel, but I stayed because of the story. I can't wait to see what M.L. Rio comes up with next.
The Other Twin is a deliciously dark, sexy, and devious debut by L.V. Hay. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy because after reading and reThe Other Twin is a deliciously dark, sexy, and devious debut by L.V. Hay. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy because after reading and reviewing so many thrillers, I really wanted to venture out and read something different. The Other Twin is a very profound novel that not only keeps in fashion with the typical mystery genre, but also interweaves relevant factions that our current society deals with today.
When India is found dead after jumping from a bridge in Brighton, sister Poppy returns home to recuperate with her family. Poppy hasn't been in Brighton in years and has a very distant relationship with her family and her ex-boyfriend Matthew. After hearing the logistics of India's apparent suicide, Poppy begins to question all the facts presented to her and begins to do some investigating of her own. As Poppy emerges through all the facts and tidbits of information that she can find, she begins to question not only her family's involvement, but the involvement of Matthew's family as well. Poppy begins to suspect that there's more at play here than what meets the eye.
The Other Twin is a short, yet intense read that packs a punch right from the first chapter. Immediately, you are drawn into familiar dilemmas that we currently face today—family rivalry, social media emergence, LGBTQ rights and bigotry, and love and betrayal. I found the first half of this novel to be so powerful, yet also intoxicating. Poppy is a character that most of us can relate to in some way or another, which had me not only yearn for her grief, but cheer on her insistence to continue. As the story ends up developing, we receive a light-mystery towards the secret inner-workings of truly devious individuals. These individuals could mask themselves as anyone—your neighbors, your friends, even your own family. Although I did find the story somewhat clear from the beginning, Ms. Hay does throw some red herrings our way to get us off the beaten path. I would definitely recommend this novel to someone who is interested in reading a mystery, but can't handle horror or suspense. ...more
Disclaimer: This is probably the hardest review that I've submitted since I activated my Goodreads account.
3 stars The story takes place in real-time,Disclaimer: This is probably the hardest review that I've submitted since I activated my Goodreads account.
3 stars The story takes place in real-time, with the plot unfolding within two or so hours, at a zoo featuring Joan and her 4 year old son Lincoln. Joan and her son are about to wrap up their trip to the zoo when something has gone drastically wrong, sending her to hide with her son and plan for a means of escaping. Fierce Kingdom engages the audience by exploiting the love that a parent has for his or her children, and harnesses that emotion to build a foundation for the story's plot. Fierce Kingdom is relatable in a sense that it plays upon people's natural instinct to survive. Joan must protect her son and escape the zoo by whatever means necessary.
I had trouble thoroughly enjoying the plot and there were several things that just didn't make sense to me. My first grievance was that Lincoln was portrayed as an unbelievably smart and social inept four year old. At four years old, Lincoln was more intellectually connected to what was happening than any four year old that I've ever met. It came off as more frustrating than believable to me. My second grievance was the marketing behind Fierce Kingdom . The book is not really a thriller or suspenseful but rather more of a drama in my opinion. I just felt that the book kind of lulled as I was expecting a twist, or something/someone to drastically change the plot, but really Fierce Kingdom primarily focused the story on Joan and her relationship with her son. It's not to say that I didn't enjoy the way the story unfolded, but it wasn't exactly a story that would keep me guessing.
I just think certain books aren't meant for everyone, but I do think that if you read the synopsis and are interested then you should definitely give it a chance. I gave my mom my copy of the book and I think that she will enjoy it much more than me....more
The French Girl is a remarkable debut by newcomer Lexie Elliot, who’s writing style can already be considered in the same ranks as Ruth 4/5 stars!
The French Girl is a remarkable debut by newcomer Lexie Elliot, who’s writing style can already be considered in the same ranks as Ruth Ware, Fiona Barton, and Paula Hawkins. The story takes place in the current day London, where Kate Channing receives a phone call from college friend Tom, about the French police re-opening up a case about a missing person; an acquaintance that they met during a vacation in France – Severine. Severine’s body has been found in the bottom of a closed-up well with clues leading up to the possibility of a murder charge being discussed. The problem is, Kate, her boyfriend Seb, and her friends Lara, Tom, Theo, and Caro were all the last ones to be linked to Severine. With the police re-opening the case, what will be discovered? Why do the police suspect that it could be one of them, and if someone has a secret – how willing are they to keep it under wraps? The French Girl single-handedly paints the picture of how wicked some people may go to get what they want, even if it means destroying the lives of others to get ahead.
The French Girl is going to be a polarizing book for many for a multitude of reasons but I am going to break down my thoughts and how it was painted for me and let’s see what you think:
1- This is a slow-burn light mystery, rather than an in-your-face suspense where you’ll have to check behind the shower curtain before going to bed. It took me awhile to sink my teeth in, but when I did, I was addicted. It’s also a light read, so you won’t even realize how quickly you are breezing through this, until it’s 1 AM and you realize you have to go to bed for work in the morning.
2- The characterizations of all the main and supporting characters are vividly drawn out, which is great because you end up being wrapped right into the chaos, without being lulled by the slow-pacing of the plot.
3- The French Girl gave me serious Ruth Ware vibes in terms of writing style (yassss!!!) and unreliable characters. The French Girl is what The Lying Game was trying to be but failed.
4- There was a lot of talk about the economic environment of England and the lack of job security, which peaked my interest. After a little research, I read that Lexie Elliott took up writing after losing her job in the Great Recession. I found this really intriguing because as a millennial, I have many people in my life who have been greatly affected by the economic downturn and still are. It was refreshing to read about characters who were going through situations that I could relate to and feel sympathy for.
5- Based on the previous point, as well as Ms. Elliott’s incredible characterizations, I was sooo into the cast of characters that she presented. I loved Kate and her trying to keep it together but slowly falling apart psyche; I loved some of the characters’ alcoholic tendencies covering up insecurities; I loved the minor love story taking place during the sequence of the plot, as it wasn’t overbearing and it maintained relevance; and lastly, I loved how wicked some of these characters truly are. It maintained my attention throughout the story.
Overall, The French Girl is a solid debut by a new author that I can’t wait to hear more from.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Publishing Group for my advanced copy for an honest review. It was a pleasure.
You can also follow me on Instagram | @scared_str8...more
Exquisite is exhilarating and suspense-driven in such a realistic way that it really kept me engaged throughout the book. I will be short in my deExquisite is exhilarating and suspense-driven in such a realistic way that it really kept me engaged throughout the book. I will be short in my description of the book because the blurb is purposely cut short, and I believe that this is necessary to enjoy the story as it could easily be unfolded if you know more than what I am going to provide you. Exquisite takes place in several different towns/cities in England and mainly features two protagonists, Bo Luxton and Alice Dark. Bo Luxton is a famous author, who has what many may deem as a perfect life. After meeting Alice Dark at a writer’s retreat, Bo and Alice develop a relationship in which can be best labeled as toxic, at best. And that’s all I’m going to tell you folks!
At first, I was hesitate with the storyline and felt like it was all just adding to some build-up and I was going to be disappointed. I will tell you right now, this story does not disappoint in the slightest! The writing kept me engaged and I churned through a majority of the book last night. One thing I will say is that ending – WOW! I am kind of speechless on what else to say.
Thank you Net Galley, Sarah Steovell, and Orenda Books for my advance copy for an honest review.
Wow...what can I say. The Good Daughter might be one of the most intelligently written books that I've read in a long time. The stor4.5/5 stars.
Wow...what can I say. The Good Daughter might be one of the most intelligently written books that I've read in a long time. The story starts off in 1989 with the Quinn family in the outskirts of Atlanta, in this town called Pikeville. The father, Rusty is a defense attorney in a seemingly very conservative neighborhood; defending criminals who most would turn the other way without a second glance. Without getting into anything spoilerific (made up word), the family drastically changes for the worse after an attack at their home. Rusty's two daughters, Sam and Charlotte now have to deal with the repercussions of what happened for the rest of their lives. It isn't until there's another violent crime 28 years later, that the Quinn family has to re-open their old wounds. See, I can make reviews vague...
I thought that Karin Slaughter's The Good Daughter was an exceptional read, with beautifully written characters. I felt like I knew these people...these people who aren't just one dimensional words written on a page. The research done by Slaughter for The Good Daughter is smart, on-point, and unpretentious. It can be a bit of a slow burn at parts, especially mid-way, but it is forgiven because the pages still easily flew by for me, without complaint. If you are teetering on whether or not to read this one, listen to me - pick this one up! You won't be disappointed.