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
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
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
Lily’s Social Media Accounts:
Tumblr: http://ersatz-paradise.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilyParadis
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
8422979.Lily_Paradis
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lily_paradis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyParadis
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/LilyParadis
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
Lily’s Social Media Accounts:
Tumblr: http://ersatz-paradise.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilyParadis
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
8422979.Lily_Paradis
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lily_paradis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyParadis
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/LilyParadis
Friday, December 12, 2014
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
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
Sunday, December 7, 2014
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:
Don't forget to pick up your copy this week and let me know your thoughts!
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
~~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.
~~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~~
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
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