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Merissa (12929 KP) rated Ashes and Blood (Book One of the Dayla Series) in Books
Jun 19, 2020
Ashes and Blood is the first book in the Dalya series and it starts off with a very weird tree! Even though this book is listed as New Adult I still, somehow, managed to convince myself it was Young Adult. So it was a bit of a shock when I read about them drinking and swearing. Still, it was my error and one I quickly got over as I immersed myself in their adventure.
The details in this story are simply amazing. The descriptions given help the reader to see every tree, person, and situation so clearly. The action is non-stop and with enough twists and turns to keep anyone happy. There is romance but not with the main character (or at least, not yet. I'm hopeful for the future!) which made a nice change.
And speaking of characters, the ones in here will jump out at you. They are so well described and three-dimensional, you will have no issue with remembering who is whom. I loved the girls' different attitudes and capabilities PLUS how Tristan was the one to watch, even though he came across as the most easy-going!
This was a fantastic start to the series and I really can't wait to read more and return to Dalya. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The details in this story are simply amazing. The descriptions given help the reader to see every tree, person, and situation so clearly. The action is non-stop and with enough twists and turns to keep anyone happy. There is romance but not with the main character (or at least, not yet. I'm hopeful for the future!) which made a nice change.
And speaking of characters, the ones in here will jump out at you. They are so well described and three-dimensional, you will have no issue with remembering who is whom. I loved the girls' different attitudes and capabilities PLUS how Tristan was the one to watch, even though he came across as the most easy-going!
This was a fantastic start to the series and I really can't wait to read more and return to Dalya. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Charlotte (184 KP) rated Ninja Girl Adventures (Ninja Girl Adventures #1) in Books
Feb 26, 2021
An exciting start that whets the appetite for more.
Moira, the middle sister, is pretty amazing. She holds her sisters together, deals with her own grief and takes her destiny in her stride.
As a start of a series I'm impressed. Ninja Girl Adventures has it all, danger, action, family, mystery.....the list goes on! Moira is a good, strong main character that is believable, down to earth and has you firmly on her side.
Through her experiences she is encouraged to believe in herself, use love, not fear to overcome obstacles and to relax so as to feel more in her ninja training and fights.
From the very first paragraph I was hooked, you get straight into the story with background information coming throughout rather than an avalanche straight away. The action is evenly spaced out so you don't go too long without the next thing to keep your interest, yet it isn't so full on that you feel the need to take a break from it.
All the way through I was thinking that something would happen and it did......at the very end, which leaves a nice stepping stone ready for the next installment.....which I can't wait for!
I'd recommend this as a young adult/adult read that is perfect to get your brain working a little and to keep you entertained, whether that be on a cold winter's day in front of the fire or out in the summer sun.
If I could give half scores I would but as I can't I'm going to round this up.....
Moira, the middle sister, is pretty amazing. She holds her sisters together, deals with her own grief and takes her destiny in her stride.
As a start of a series I'm impressed. Ninja Girl Adventures has it all, danger, action, family, mystery.....the list goes on! Moira is a good, strong main character that is believable, down to earth and has you firmly on her side.
Through her experiences she is encouraged to believe in herself, use love, not fear to overcome obstacles and to relax so as to feel more in her ninja training and fights.
From the very first paragraph I was hooked, you get straight into the story with background information coming throughout rather than an avalanche straight away. The action is evenly spaced out so you don't go too long without the next thing to keep your interest, yet it isn't so full on that you feel the need to take a break from it.
All the way through I was thinking that something would happen and it did......at the very end, which leaves a nice stepping stone ready for the next installment.....which I can't wait for!
I'd recommend this as a young adult/adult read that is perfect to get your brain working a little and to keep you entertained, whether that be on a cold winter's day in front of the fire or out in the summer sun.
If I could give half scores I would but as I can't I'm going to round this up.....

Christine A. (965 KP) rated Before She Was Helen in Books
Sep 9, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Having read Caroline B. Cooney's Janie Johnson series, which many people call The Face on the Milk Carton series, I was thrilled to read her latest novel, Before She Was Helen.
While Cooney is well-known for her YA novels, Before She Was Helen, is not categorized as young adult, but as adult fiction. Her main character is Clemmie, a still-working but living in a retirement community teacher, who intentionally built a bland and quiet life for herself. Everything changes when she does a wellness check on her next-door neighbor. She photographs a stunning and beautiful object. Thinking her family would enjoy it, she shares the photo with them. The picture quickly makes its rounds on the internet, and Clemmie's life changes in a blink, and all her carefully kept secrets are threatened.
For anyone who has read Cooney, you can identify her writing style. Her words word flow in an easy and distinct manner. It is as if she writes how she talks and does not change her vernacular or style. Reading Before She Was Helen was like reading a familiar book that I never read before.
Goodreads does not list any other books set for publication as of yet.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/8/20.
Having read Caroline B. Cooney's Janie Johnson series, which many people call The Face on the Milk Carton series, I was thrilled to read her latest novel, Before She Was Helen.
While Cooney is well-known for her YA novels, Before She Was Helen, is not categorized as young adult, but as adult fiction. Her main character is Clemmie, a still-working but living in a retirement community teacher, who intentionally built a bland and quiet life for herself. Everything changes when she does a wellness check on her next-door neighbor. She photographs a stunning and beautiful object. Thinking her family would enjoy it, she shares the photo with them. The picture quickly makes its rounds on the internet, and Clemmie's life changes in a blink, and all her carefully kept secrets are threatened.
For anyone who has read Cooney, you can identify her writing style. Her words word flow in an easy and distinct manner. It is as if she writes how she talks and does not change her vernacular or style. Reading Before She Was Helen was like reading a familiar book that I never read before.
Goodreads does not list any other books set for publication as of yet.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/8/20.

Four Three Two One
Book
In this contemporary YA novel, a girl reunites with the three other survivors of a bus bombing that...
Four Three Two One Courtney C. Stevens Young Adult Young Adult Fiction

Not His Dragon (Not This Series Book 1)
Book
Eoin Grant hasn’t encountered a female of his race in decades, and this crazy person’s scent...
series Not This Series Dragons paranormal fiction adult

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Footprints Under the Window in Books
Oct 21, 2021 (Updated Oct 21, 2021)
Spies and a Quick Trip to South America
When Frank and Joe Hardy go to meet their Aunt Gertrude on her return from a trip to South America, they arrive a little early, so they decide to head out in their motor boat. That’s when they see a man jump over the side of a ship. They pick him up, but all they get out of him is a strange warning about footprints before he runs off again. With their dad out of town on a case, they are left to try to figure out what is going on by themselves. Might it have to do with the robbery they foiled at a nearby photographic plant? And who left the footprints outside the Hardy’s house?
Even as a kid, I recognized the absurdity of the Hardys heading to South America at one point to follow a few leads, but even as an adult, it’s hard not to get caught up in the action and mystery. While things do make sense at the end, I feel like there were a few too many plot threads for them to untangle. One or two less would have helped. Still, even as an adult, I got caught up in the story. As always, the character are thin, and the story is dated. Very dated, in this case. But as long as today’s kids realize this is something from the 1960’s, they’ll be okay. I’ve got to admit, nostalgia is playing a bit in my rating since I loved this one as a kid.
Even as a kid, I recognized the absurdity of the Hardys heading to South America at one point to follow a few leads, but even as an adult, it’s hard not to get caught up in the action and mystery. While things do make sense at the end, I feel like there were a few too many plot threads for them to untangle. One or two less would have helped. Still, even as an adult, I got caught up in the story. As always, the character are thin, and the story is dated. Very dated, in this case. But as long as today’s kids realize this is something from the 1960’s, they’ll be okay. I’ve got to admit, nostalgia is playing a bit in my rating since I loved this one as a kid.

Tor (The Hawks #4)
Book
What is it about her that makes him lose his mind? Every. Damn. Time. Tor’s world is falling...
Adult Fantasy Romance

Josh Palmer (2 KP) rated After The Cure in Books
Jan 4, 2018
A new twist and an old genre.
So, I got this book on google play for 25 cents I think it was. One of their sales. I didn't know what to expect from a book that was about the aftermath of the zombie outbreak but in the end I was surprised.
The characters are ones that I generally cared about and that made the book that much better. The story moved along nicely while not seeming to sacrifice content.
The worst part about this book is that to me it seemed caught between young adult and normal fiction. Not that it hurt but some points just didn't feel up to the task of being a grown up story.
The characters are ones that I generally cared about and that made the book that much better. The story moved along nicely while not seeming to sacrifice content.
The worst part about this book is that to me it seemed caught between young adult and normal fiction. Not that it hurt but some points just didn't feel up to the task of being a grown up story.

Kym Penny (24 KP) rated The Last Hour of Gann in Books
Jul 22, 2017
Realistic characters and character development (2 more)
Unique and fearless writing
Addictive
Keep your mind open and you'll question everything.
This book was my introduction to this author and this story made me believe that there are still authors out there that can do whatever the hell they want without sacrificing a story for shock value. This story has plenty of shock. This book tends to get classified into genres that it doesn't quite fit. It sort of needs it's own. I recommend this book to any adult that like a little (a lot of) naughty darkness in their cup of tea. I would not recommend this to anyone with sensitivities to sex, religion, horror and abuse.

Julie (77 KP) rated The Upside of Unrequited in Books
Sep 20, 2017
My Review: "What a great read! Honestly, I needed this after reading so many fantasy/young adult books. I don’t read many contemporary books, but when I do, this is what I look for.
First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
Merissa (12929 KP) Jun 20, 2020
BookishWoo (317 KP) Jun 20, 2020