The Scarlet Pimpernel Review

Seven and a half years after first coming into contact with this book, I read the entire thing! I started The Scarlet Pimpernel in high school, but never got around to finishing and set a goal for myself that I would finally read it this month and honestly, I have no idea why I waited so long! The book is full of suspense, intrigue, and a revolution!

The Scarlet Pimpernel is set in 1792 France and Britain during the time of the French Revolution. During the French Revolution, the peasants of France were tired of the ruling monarchy and arrogant aristocrats and introduced the guillotine to deal with this problem. Many aristocrats were beheaded every single day, including the king of France, Louis XVII and his wife, Marie Antoinette. The book focuses on a mysterious figure known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, who risks their life to save these aristocrats and deliver them safely to England.

Marguerite Blakeney, a former French actress, is settling into married life with Sir Percy Blakeney, the biggest dim wit in England, when she is forced to make the ultimate decision: loyalty to her brother or betray her hero, the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Overall, I enjoyed this classic because of the historical aspect and the ever-moving plot, but I did feel it had its shortcomings. I did not sympathize with Marguerite at all and found myself wishing for a dual perspective just to deal with her. The identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel was predictable and, after the reveal, the disguises they were in was predictable as well.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Volition Cover REVEAL!

I cannot wait to get this book! It excited me as a beta reader and just LOOK AT THIS COVER! I LOVE it! Don't forget to pre-order. Trust me, you will not regret it!

Amazon Pre-Order Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QCSU4VE
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22919022-volition
Signed Paperback Pre-Order: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/
16lQT410x_43RAbSZLnuohb356j2HcWFjW_HdTyF2vFE/viewform


Release Date: February 9th, 2015
Cover by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

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My True Love Gave to Me Review

Wondering the aisles of my local B&N in November, I soon spotted the object of my query. That would be.......My True Love Gave to Me, a compilation of twelve different holiday stories. I am SUCH a Christmas person and was super excited about reading this to get me more in the spirit (as if I need any help) and was overall not disappointed. I originally set out to read one story a day until I finished, but because the authors are so different I had to keep reading! Many of the stories were among the same script (it IS about the same time of year afterall) and the instances of insta-love were, at times, quite unbearable, but writing styles hooked me in!

Most of the stories in this compilation were very enjoyable, my favorites being Midnights by Rainbow Rowell, The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link, and Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter.The last two I wish would have been actual novels, but all good things MUST come to an end.

Unfortunately, my least favorite short story, which was The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Talor, was situated at the very end and left somewhat of a bad aftertaste, almost like taking a huge gulp of sweet tea to be hit with the tanginess of lemon at the end.

Overall, I do recommend this book, especially if you are into Christmas or are looking to get more into the holiday spirit!

Positives: Different characters who were easy to read and relate to.
Negatives: Much of the same story lines and a crazy amount of insta-love!
Rating: 3 and a half out of 5 stars

Breeder by K.B. Hoyle Blog Tour!

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review of this book from Net Galley. And here is what I thought:

Before reading the book, I had no description to go by and I was amazed! Yes, the cover art is intriguing, but the occasional caution must be applied when going in blind. There are those typical fears of not knowing if you will like the book or if it will be something you try and read but, for some odd reason, just cannot get in to. You all know exactly what I am talking about. 

 Breeder was anything but a let down. The characters were extremely well written, making me able to empathize with Pria and Pax and the situation they find themselves in. I kept turning the pages because I just had to find out what happened to these people and, to my shock, finished the book in a day! Another thing I really appreciated about Hoyle's writing is her development of Pria. Pria starts the book as extremely naive and, as Breeder progresses, she starts to grow. She does not however, immediately become completely self-aware, as do characters in many other books. Hoyle is consistent! Pria's character becomes more aware of the ways of the world towards the end of the book, but there is still plenty she does not know. Here's to hoping K.B. Hoyle will finish Book Two, Criminal, quicker than George R. R. Martin finishes his because this girl is hooked!

 Genre: Adult Dystopian 

Positives: The book! Need I say more? If you are new to the dystopian genre, this is the perfect book to start with!   The book is set in Denver and is an easy read with familiar terms with an obvious dystopian theme. 

Negatives: That the second book is not out yet!

Rating: A well earned 5 out of 5 stars!
Don't forget to pick up your copy this week and let me know your thoughts!

Release Date: December 11 , 2014

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: Fiction: Dystopian

ISBN e-book:   978-1-61213-292-1

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

 ~~SUMMARY~~

Everything about Seventeen’s life is perfect, from her genetics, to her home in Sanctuary, to her status as a Breeder in the Unified World Order. But all that changes when she meets a rogue Enforcer named Pax, who infiltrates Sanctuary and targets her for extraction from the Controlled Repopulation Program. Pax seems to know a little too much about her, and he plants dangerous doubts in her mind that accuse Sanctuary of hiding a dark secret, and that cause Seventeen to question everything she’s ever known.

When Seventeen’s life is threatened, she has little choice but to run away from Sanctuary with Pax. But for Breeders, contact with men is forbidden by law, and even the simple act of taking Pax’s hand is treason.

Mired in confusion, Seventeen travels with Pax to the outside world and takes the name Pria, the identity of her childhood. But she is far from certain she’s made the right decision when they discover an entire community of people who should no longer exist.

Seventeen, now Pria, is thrust into a position as a key player in a dangerous bid to bring down the Unified World Order. Meanwhile, Pax’s attachment to her and her growing attraction to him contribute to the ever-growing mysteries in her life.

Pria’s journey from a sheltered, naïve Breeder to a rebel agent requires not only external transformation but self-discovery. As her world crumbles, Pria must decide who she is and what she really believes.

But the truth comes at a cost, and uncovering it will require a greater treason than she could ever have imagined.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

K.B. Hoyle is a bestselling author, a public speaker, a creative writing instructor, and a classical history teacher who uses her knowledge of the ancient and medieval worlds to pen speculative and fantasy tales for people of all ages. She has been married since the age of twenty to the love of her life, with whom she has four wonderful children. Find out more about her at www.kbhoyle.com.

 ~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Facebook * Website * Blog * Twitter

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Praise for Breeder

"Breeder was anything but a let down. The characters were extremely well written, making me able to empathize with Pria and Pax and the situation they find themselves in. I kept turning the pages because I just had to find out what happened to these people and, to my shock, finished the book in a day! "  - Angela  Goodreads Review

And They All Fall Down (Working Title) Murder Mystery Book Preview!

Hey all! So, this weekend I will be releasing a few chapters from a book I am working on and would love any and all advice and critique! Thank you for your help and, as always, for reading!

Prologue

            Andi McCurdy tried to brush her auburn hair away from her face in disgust. Short hair was supposed to be a convenience, yet the small, theoretically chic pieces that framed her face were proving anything but today. The tears she had shed earlier had made the unruly mess stick to her cheeks that no amount of hair spray and bobby pins were able to tame.

            Today should have been a typical Saturday in sunny San Diego. Andi would check the weather conditions over her usual two cups of coffee before making the short walk to Mission Beach, her surfboard and English bulldog, Calzone, always in tow. On this particular Saturday, however, there would be no familiar trip to the beach, no embracing the welcoming solitude of the Pacific, no relaxing salt water cascading over her body as she and her board sought the perfect wave. There would be nothing normal about today because, unbeknownst to Andi, her world had already began crashing down.

            It was only 8 am but the sun was already beating down with an intense force, accompanied by a warm, salt water infused breeze that pushed through the loft’s open windows. The shrill ring of a nearby iPhone shook Andi from her slumber and with it, any plans for the day were brought to a screeching halt. She grabbed her pillow and rolled towards the nightstand, prepared to hit the ignore button and return to dreamland, if only temporarily. Anyone calling at this time must have known the coffee pot had yet to turn on, thus rendering her completely useless. Andi picked up the phone, still plagued by sleep and disillusionment, took a few long seconds to process the photo of her dad on the display screen and finally gained the temporary jolt she so desperately needed to cope with the early wake up call.

“Hey, Dad. How are you?” Andi shouted into the receiver. She bought her father his first cell phone almost a year ago, an ample amount of time for most to learn the basic operations of the new smart phones that dominated the technology scene, yet Jake McCurdy was still incapable of grasping the mechanics. Rather than try and teach him for the countless time, she accepted the fact that her father was one of the few remaining old fashioned people and simply shouted so she could be heard over the one thousand two hundred and seventy seven miles that separated them.

“Hey, Andi,” were the short, hasty words that greeted her. A deep sigh travelled from her father’s mouth through the receiver and into her ear, instantly alerting her that something was wrong in his small corner of the world.

“God, kiddo. I wish there was some easier way to tell you this.” She could picture him running his hand over the slight beard he had kept for as long as she could remember, his obvious tell that something was troubling him.

“Dad? What’s wrong?”  A wave of dread swept over Andi, but she was determined to keep her voice neutral, if only to show her father she was strong enough to hear whatever he had to say.

“It’s Austin. He, uh, he fell asleep on his was home this morning. His car slammed into that split tree over on Plymouth Road. Andi, Austin’s de—“. Jake choked on the words, accompanied by a slight thud that could have been him placing the phone on the table. Drawing on an unknown strength, her father put the phone back to his ear and spoke the two words she could never have imagined hearing.

“Austin’s gone.”

Andi grabbed the pillow and pressed it against her face, instantaneously feeling the fabric dampen.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“It’s ok, Dad,” she whispered, both knowing it was a lie. “When’s the --?” She quickly cleared her throat before continuing. “When’s the funeral?”

“It’s Monday at eleven. Preston and Layla are doing the visitation at nine.”

“Ok. I’ll check online and see if any flights are leaving today. I might have to book one for tomorrow though, especially with Calzone.”

Her voice cracked and her knuckles were turning white from the grip she maintained on the pillow. “Either way, I’ll call you later and let you know. Talk to you later, Dad.”

“Bye, Andi. I love you.”

“Love you, too,” Andi croaked before disconnecting the call and leaning back on her bed, finally allowing the contained sobs to escape freely from her body.

            Several hours later, Andi stood overran empty suitcase, firmly clutching a bottle of Jose Cuervo that had yet to meet her lops. She absentmindedly thumbed the top, an onslaught of emotions beginning to jumble together in her mind. The bottle’s top easily gave way, prompting her to remember the forgotten tequila and take a long drink, followed in rapid succession by another. The warm liquid burned down her throat as tears continued to sting her eyes. The dangerous combination of tequila and tears rapidly altered her mood from spent to furious. Furious at Austin for leaving so unexpectedly, at her father for calling her and all the history they had between them, at any person that dared to be happy. Mostly, however, she was furious at herself. She had taken Austin and his friendship for granted and now he was gone. Andi raced over to the closet and began tearing clothes from the hangers.

“Stupid! Fucking! Shit!” Each pronounced curse was accompanied by multiple garments flying toward the suitcase. This couldn’t be right. It had to be some cruel joke designed to get her to come home. She reached into the pocket of her faded Levi’s, fishing out her cell and preparing to call her father. As the lock screen faded away, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of Andi’s stomach. Her father would never do something so malicious. Yet, with the truth of Jake’s words, she was forced to deal with reality and accept the fact that Austin was truly gone. And there was the exact problem. A reality in which Austin West wasn’t a part of couldn’t be a reality for Andi. He was her best friend, the one who taught her how to throw a right hook, who cheered the loudest for her at every track competition, who stayed with her all night waiting for her father to return home from his nightly trips to the Retreat, reeking of cigarette smoke and alcohol. Austin was one half of Andi’s rock and now he was gone. She dug a pair of tennis shoes out from the bottom of her cluttered closet and haphazardly threw them towards the growing pile. One of the shoes sailed over the suitcase and made contact with a small silver picture frame atop the nightstand. The frame toppled to the floor, the sound of breaking glass slightly relieving some of Andi’s anger. Calzone heard the commotion from the living room and came through the door to investigate. She rushed to the mess, shooing the dog as she picked up the glass fragments and threw them in the trash. Andi picked out the photograph from the frame, feeling the paper bend easily in her hand. Gingerly, she brushed her thumb over the image of her and Austin, along with the other half of her rock, Blake Griffin at their high school graduation six years ago. The smiling, care-free teenagers mocked Andi in her misery. Their faces contained an untamed look of adventure and each held the knowledge that the world was waiting for them just beyond the camera’s flash.

            Taking a final glance at the photo, Andi knew exactly what she had to do, even though the pieces of her newly broken heart were telling her it would be perfectly acceptable to hide away in her apartment until everything returned to normal. However, this was the new normal. Life would never return to how it was six years ago. Andi messed that up when she left Southbend the day after graduation and didn’t look back.

            Decision made, Andi zipped the black Samsonite closed and headed for the door. The surfboard was propped in its usual spot by the front door, begging for its Saturday trip to the beach, telling her it was too clean without the familiar saltwater and sand clinging to its paint. She would have gladly welcomed the serenity of the Pacific, yet those she had left years ago needed her and she couldn’t ignore their cries any longer. Andi rolled her suitcase into the hall, trailed closely by Calzone, flicked the light switch, submerging the apartment in complete darkness, and firmly closed the door. The time had come to face her past and this time there was simply no running away. Andi McCurdy was finally going home. 

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes Review

"In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?"

I decided to read this book for a read-along that is occurring now until December 5th and must say, I do not regret this decision one bit. I must have been living under a rock to not have heard about this series before now, especially when it is so similar to one of my favorite series, A Song of Ice and Fire. 

The first book in the series, Falling Kingdoms, follows three kingdoms on the brink of war and, as shown in the blurb above, four different characters, which did make this read somewhat difficult! I found myself able to empathize easily with any of the four, but the character that stood out the most had to be Prince Magnus, the Limerian prince who struggled between who he is and who his father wants him to be. Having all the characters so easy to relate to made this book seem to fly by with no dull moments and it honestly pained me to have to put the book down to do mundane activities like work, or laundry, or anything that did not involve reading this book!

In terms of world building, I did not find this one particularly unique because it did remind me of George R. R. Martin's enchanted land of Westeros, as stated above, but the element of magic, combined with well developed characters and a fast-moving plot left me salivating for the second book as soon as it ended! 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Positives: I was immediately drawn into this spectacular fantasy world and found no slow spots. I was always turning the page, looking for more!

Negatives: The world in the book was not 100% unique in my opinion, but that is something I am more than willing to overlook!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell

Get the tissues ready folks! If animals hold a soft spot in your heart, like they do mine, you will definitely need them from the middle grade fantasy book, The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhjell. The book is very very similar to the land of Naria, but I loved the premise behind it.

Lin Rosenquist is an eleven year old girl who just moved from her beloved Summerhill to Old Towne, where she has no friends and her favorite pet, Rufus, has died. When Lin is sent a key in a mysterious parcel, she follows it under her rental house and to the world of Slyver, where beloved pets go when they die, adopting humanistic qualities and keeping watch over the children they hold dear. When snow trolls and a mysterious creature only known as the Margrave threaten to destroy the land of Sylver, Lin and Rufus must discover a way to save Sylver before she is trapped there forever.

I really enjoyed this book! Like I said, it is very similar to Narnia, but the twist with the beloved pets really tugged at my heart strings. Combined with the fast moving plot and artful story telling, this book is one of my favorites and has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit!

Genre: Middle grade Fantasy
Positives: Fast paced story, interesting world where beloved pets live
Negatives: The story was too reminiscent of Narnia to stand entirely on it's own
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Autumn Getaway by Jennifer Gracen Review

So, typically I am not a romance reader. There is just something about the whole "MeTarzan, You Jane" thing that I am almost 100% sure I have said before. However, if I do pick up a romance book, I like it to be contemporary, full of vivid characters, and with a strong leading lady.

Autumn Getaway by Jennifer Gracen is one such novel. For a debut novel, I honestly thought it was really good with likable characters and a good romance. Lydia is a newly divorced single mom who has to put the struggles of life on hold to escape to a picturesque inn for her college roommate's wedding. While there, she meets Sam, a dashing man who seems to have everything in order, but is he who he appears? During the course of the weekend, Lydia builds up old relationships and begins a new one, all the while learning that maybe the quickest thing to heal a broken heart is an autumn getaway.

Overall, I thought the characters were well written and the story flowed smoothly, but the story seemed rather lengthy and, in points, the plot felt weak and ambled. Great book, but I thought it was too long with not the strongest of plots to lead it.

Genre: Romance
Positives: Strong, sympathetic characters and well written
Negatives: Plot ambled on and book was too long. I think the same story could have been said without as many words.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn Review

It becomes so easy to envision our lives as a fairy tale as we peruse classic stories from childhood, yet what if life really was a fairy tale? And what if these fairy tales did not always have a happy ending? For Mina Grime, that is exactly what her life is like when she discovers her last name is not really Grime, but Grimm and she is descended from the same Grimm's of fairy tale legend. And what if the reality of death is not a natural thing, but rather a curse that has been placed on the family name? Shortly before Mina's sixteenth birthday, she discovers that the seemingly quiet life she led has been a lie carefully implemented by her mother to protect her from the fate of the Grimm curse. The curse began with the Grimm brothers and the fae, who decided that they must successfully live through and defeat over 200 fairy tales before the door between the fae world and Earth would close forever. No one has ever succeeded. Now the hope rests with Mina. She must succeed or die knowing the curse may very well pass to her younger brother.

Overall, I thought the plot of the book was intriguing and kept the story moving at a rapid pace. However, the characters were a little underdeveloped and the typical semi-love triangle bored me somewhat, leaving me not particularly caring who ended up with Mina. That being said, I am eager to see where Mina's story goes and have already picked up books two and three.

Genre: Fantasy
Positives: Quick moving and unique plot that kept the pages turning!
Negatives: Underdeveloped characters and a few grammatical errors
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Lightning Girl by 27 Review

ATTENTION COMIC BOOK FANS! 

Do I have your new favorite non-comic book read! Lightning Girl by 27 is a fantastic novel that blends all the favorite elements of a great comic book, only without being so. Don't get me wrong. I think it would  have been FANTASTIC if they included a comic strip at the beginning of each chapter, but sadly this is not a perfect world. 

The book follows a young protagonist by the name of Stephanie Park, who has lived in an orphanage for fifteen years, ever since her father dropped her off. She also has the ability to manipulate electricity, a fact that no one at the wicked orphanage seems to pleased with as evidenced by how they lock her in a small closet. Stephanie is rescued twice from this hell hole, however. The first time by a young Japanese immigrant named Lucky and the second by a man named Mr. Gerard who wants to become her guardian and explore her abilities. He also wants to draw out other people with abilites and convince them not to live in fear. Sounds a little reminiscent of one Professor X from X-Men, huh? Well, that's what it reminded me of, but it did not diminish the quality of the book one bit!

Mr. Gerard thinks Stephanie needs to be the public face of synergies, or people like Stephanie who have powers. She gets entered in the Miss New York competition and rallies the synergy community behind her while bringing awareness to these people and simultaneously rapidly growing to care for a twelve year old boy by the name of Kyan Mal. Eventually, Stephanie realizes their is a rapid growing threat to the little boy she loves so much. Eric, a renegade Angel, believes Kyan to be the Envoy, the only one who can unite Heaven, Hell and Earth in peace. The fiends of Hell however, do not want this to occur and are building a tunnel to reach the Earth plane so they can rule. Stephanie must call upon her fellow synergies to protect the boy and Earth.

Overall, I loved this book. There were a few minor things that could have been improved on. I felt transitions were somewhat weak and certain things got glossed over pretty quickly. The book was fast paced and did remind me of a comic book and it got me curious as to what will happen in the next book.

Positives: Great plot, easy to read, and sympathetic characters.

Negatives: Weak transitions and a somewhat elementary writing style in the beginning (this disappears towards the middle, leading me to believe the author was just trying to show how sheltered Stephanie was).

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Demon Count & The Demon Count's Daughter by Anne Stuart Review

Maybe it was the spooky mystery of Halloween in the air or maybe I caught some strange, yet quickly vanishing illness, but whatever the reason, I decided to read these two historical romance novels by Anne Stuart. Typically, I stay away from the whole historical romance genre because, being a woman of a certain era, I find it hard to by into the whole "Me Tarzan, You Jane" attitude that I typically associate with historical romances.

By picking up these two books, my perception was changed. Stuart managed to wow me with characters that were strong willed and witty, as well as rapid moving dialogue and an actual story behind the romance! The first novel, The Demon Count, was about the newly orphaned Charlotte Marrow venturing to Italy to meet her new guardian and have her own grand adventure. However, with the ghoul of Venice and her mysterious Count on the loose, she gets more than she could have bargained for!

The second novel, The Demon Count's Daughter, tells the story of Count Luc del Zaglia's daughter as she makes the same journey her mother embarked upon twenty-five years ago. She is going to visit the homeland of her father while working as an undercover spy trying to free the people of Venice from the overbearing Austrian government once and for all.

As stated above, I really enjoyed these novels, which actually shocked me. Besides the things stated above, I also enjoyed how the second story was completely about the daughter, Luciana and her parents were only mentioned by name until the end of the book when they made a brief appearance. I loved how Stuart allowed Luciana to stand on her own in a world seemingly similar to her parents'. Maybe there is hope for me in this genre after all!

Genre: Historical Romance
Positives: Excellent character development and a rapid moving story with a substantial plot.
Negatives: A few minor things. I felt in the first novel, Stuart tried to convince her readers that Charlotte was independent and strong-willed yet when she went toe to toe with someone, she hardly ever won!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Endgame: The Calling by James Frey Review

Endgame has begun....and is finally over!

Endgame follows 12 strangers as they fight to win a mysterious game and save their lines from extinction. First of all, I must say this book is extremely familiar to The Hunger Games, only not as good.12 players, each between the ages of 13-17....let's face it, it sounds oddly similar, sort of like a book series or blockbuster movies we all know and love. However, Frey made the fatal mistake of trying to balance between 12 different people with disastrous consequences. The characters were poorly developed and the one that had a little more depth was an American with a seemingly perfect life. Why not someone else?
The writing was also pretty sloppy, in my opinion. The fight scenes, as well as most of the plot, was redundant and tedious. I literally said out loud "I cannot wait to be done with this book". And that was not meant in a good way.
The book also falls under the juvenile fiction category, which I, SURPRISE SURPRISE, have a huge problem with. Ok, the writing reflects a juvenile fiction category, but the words do not. There are several f bombs thrown throughout with scenes of bloody, intense violence. If I were a mother and knew nothing of this book, I would be extremely upset if my kid was reading this kind of book without my knowledge.

On to the positives. I really like the interactive puzzles, but must they be so difficult? I mean really. I thought this was a young people novel? I just feel like there is too much information for people to actually sit there and pour hours and hours into. I know the prize is $500,000 but it seems like they do not want this money to be won. We all are not as intellectual as the poorly developed characters in this book.

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Positives; Unique interactive twist
Negatives: Poorly developed characters; redundant and somewhat confusing plot.
Rating:  2 out of 5 stars

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard Review

Allow me to tell you a true story. I began a journey just two short days ago. It was full of suspense, intrigue, and interesting characters. As I passed these things on my leisurely stroll, my pace began to quicken. The end, I kept repeating to myself, I must get to the end! The canopy on my path began to thin. I could feel my heart rate quicken as more light poured in through the thinning trees. This was it! I was almost there! Abruptly, my path stopped. The only thing in front of me was a steep cliff that dropped straight down to the crashing waves below. Was this it? Surely I could not have been on this journey only to reach that outcome.

As mentioned, the story above is based in reality. I picked up Sara Shepard's The Perfectionists with the die-hard Pretty Little Liars (TV show) fan girl squealing in my head. Overall, I was not disappointed with this latest novel from Shepard, but there were a few things I thought definitely could have been improved. If you like Pretty Little Liars, then this book is right up your alley, filled with the same character types, settings, and plenty of mystery. After realizing this, I paused for a moment of quiet (yeah, I am kidding myself) mediation. Are these the only characters Shepard knows how to write? Now, let me be fair. Without Sara Shepard, one of my favorite tv shows would not be in existence and I have done everything in my power to avoid picking up the novels the show was based on. I know there are some differences, but this is one of the few instances where I don't want to read the books. Maybe when the show has finished completely? But I digress. The characters in The Perfectionists were pretty similar to the Pretty Little Liars characters and the mystery was eerily familiar. On the show, viewers go SEASONS without getting questions answered. The writers wait until the last possible moment when they sense people are getting fed up to answer one tiny question and then the waiting begins anew. The Perfectionists was exactly the same! It had such a great story line and I did really enjoy it, even though it may have sounded different above, but I did not get an answer! Sure, there were a few minor details like love triangles and auditions that got wrapped in a neat little bow, but nothing about the bigger picture. There were several plot turning points and I thought that we should have at least gotten one thing resolved.

The way the book was written has set it up perfectly for a squeal, which I will most definitely be reading. It was also fast paced and had me constantly thinking of who had an ulterior motive, but I am not sure if character development was really up to scratch. In all fairness, this is the first book I have read by Shepard and I have already spotted another that I am eager to pick up, The Heiresses. I am willing to give this talented writer another go and hopefully, the characters will be somewhat different on the next go.

Genre:YA
Positives; Well written plot with plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages.
Negatives: No resolution in the end and the book was entirely too reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars. Guess we will have to wait until June 2, 2015 to read the rest.
Rating:3.5 out of 5 stars

This Month's Book Haul!

October Book Haul! I know it's kind of late....more like a mid to late October book haul??

Breeder by K.B. Hoyle Review

"Everything about Seventeen’s life is perfect, from her genetics, to her home in Sanctuary, to her status as a Breeder in the Unified World Order. But all that changes when she meets a rogue Enforcer named Pax, who infiltrates Sanctuary and targets her for extraction from the Controlled Repopulation Program. Pax seems to know a little too much about her, and he plants dangerous doubts in her mind that accuse Sanctuary of hiding a dark secret, and that cause Seventeen to question everything she’s ever known.

When Seventeen’s life is threatened, she has little choice but to run away from Sanctuary with Pax. But for Breeders, contact with men is forbidden by law, and even the simple act of taking Pax’s hand is treason.

Mired in confusion, Seventeen travels with Pax to the outside world and takes the name Pria, the identity of her childhood. But she is far from certain she’s made the right decision when they discover an entire community of people who should no longer exist.

Seventeen, now Pria, is thrust into a position as a key player in a dangerous bid to bring down the Unified World Order. Meanwhile, Pax’s attachment to her and her growing attraction to him contribute to the ever-growing mysteries in her life.

Pria’s journey from a sheltered, naïve Breeder to a rebel agent requires not only external transformation but self-discovery. As her world crumbles, Pria must decide who she is and what she really believes.

But the truth comes at a cost, and uncovering it will require a greater treason than she could ever have imagined."

 -www.kbhoyle.com

 Honestly, I have no idea why I chose to paste the description of K.B. Hoyle's new book, Breeder, above. As great of a description as it is, the book is definitely WAY better!!!! Before reading the book, I had no description to go by and I was amazed! Yes, the cover art is intriguing, but the occasional caution must be applied when going in blind. There are those typical fears of not knowing if you will like the book or if it will be something you try and read but, for some odd reason, just cannot get in to. You all know exactly what I am talking about. 

 Breeder was anything but a let down. The characters were extremely well written, making me able to empathize with Pria and Pax and the situation they find themselves in. I kept turning the pages because I just had to find out what happened to these people and, to my shock, finished the book in a day! Another thing I really appreciated about Hoyle's writing is her development of Pria. Pria starts the book as extremely naive and, as Breeder progresses, she starts to grow. She does not however, immediately become completely self-aware, as do characters in many other books. Hoyle is consistent! Pria's character becomes more aware of the ways of the world towards the end of the book, but there is still plenty she does not know. Here's to hoping K.B. Hoyle will finish Book Two, Criminal, quicker than George R. R. Martin finishes his because this girl is hooked!

 Genre: Adult Dystopian 

Positives: The book! Need I say more? If you are new to the dystopian genre, this is the perfect book to start with!   The book is set in Denver and is an easy read with familiar terms with an obvious dystopian theme. 

Negatives: That the second book is not out yet!

Rating: A well earned 5 out of 5 stars!

House Rules by Jodi Picoult Review

Is it over? Just like that? I just finished Jodi Picoult's rather lengthy novel House Rules and I must say, I am somewhat disappointed. After picking up Endgame: The Calling last night in my mad, frantic rush to solve all the clues and discover the keys, I realized I had to finish House Rules first. First off, I must say I thought it was terrific, with the exception of the most important part...the end! More on that to come!

House Rules tells the story of an autistic boy, Jacob, and his mother and brother, Emma and Theo. Jacob has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is a high functioning level of autism. This book primarily focused on the familial dynamics. As someone who is going through a less than ideal family situation, I found the way Picoult wrote each perspective remarkably realistic.

When Jacob's social skills tutor's body is discovered, Jacob must prepare for the trial of his life, if he can convince a jury he is not a cold-blooded killer, just different. So, I race through this book and greedily absorb the court chapters fully anticipating a verdict only to be left greatly disappointed! Picoult leaves us out on a limb! Which way do we climb? Do we choose the downward path and assume Jacob will go to jail or should we go up and hope all ended up for the best? I can easily see why she did this because the book is more a focus on relationship dynamics, but it did not make me happy. Typically, I am fine with writing my own ending, as an aspiring writer, but this time, not so much! Is it too much for a little closure? On a scale of five, I am giving this book a three based purely on the fact that I did not get the answer I so desperately craved!