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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Between the Lines in Books
Jun 7, 2018
I was given Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer by the PR company in England who is promoting it in exchange for an honest review.
The book is written by the best selling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter Samantha Van Leer. The idea for this book was actually Van Leer's, and what a fantastic idea it was!
What happens after you close a book? What happens to the characters in the book? What if they actually had their own lives which went on after a book was closed?
Oliver is a character in a children's fairy tale. However, he wonders if there's something more out there. He wants to escape into the Otherworld which is the reader's world. He is sick of being stuck in a fairy tale doing the same things over and over with the same people.
Delilah is a 15 year old girl who just doesn't fit in. She daydreams about falling in love with her prince charming. However, her prince charming is a character in a children's fairy tale.
To sum up the plot, Delilah and Oliver try to find a way to get Oliver out of his fairy tale book. You are shown the struggles of which they try to do this. Will Delilah ever get to be with her prince?
I loved this book. Everything about it was great. The plot was well thought out and very original. I actually felt like I was part of the story. What also makes it great is it kind of feels like you are getting two stories for the price of one. The reader is told the actual fairy tale for the most part as well as the actual story.
The actual story is told from Oliver and Delilah's point of view which I love! That way you can get how each character is feeling.
Also, the other character is this book are very well thought out and say some amazing things! My favourite supporting character was the trusty steed Socks. He was always worrying about how he looked and would come out with some funny lines!
One other thing I enjoyed about this book was the illustrations. They are beautifully drawn, and I believe it makes this book that much more interesting.
If you are looking for something a bit different to read, don't pass up this book. It is amazing, and you won't be disappointed.
I give it a 5 out of 5.
(This review is also posted on my blog).
The book is written by the best selling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter Samantha Van Leer. The idea for this book was actually Van Leer's, and what a fantastic idea it was!
What happens after you close a book? What happens to the characters in the book? What if they actually had their own lives which went on after a book was closed?
Oliver is a character in a children's fairy tale. However, he wonders if there's something more out there. He wants to escape into the Otherworld which is the reader's world. He is sick of being stuck in a fairy tale doing the same things over and over with the same people.
Delilah is a 15 year old girl who just doesn't fit in. She daydreams about falling in love with her prince charming. However, her prince charming is a character in a children's fairy tale.
To sum up the plot, Delilah and Oliver try to find a way to get Oliver out of his fairy tale book. You are shown the struggles of which they try to do this. Will Delilah ever get to be with her prince?
I loved this book. Everything about it was great. The plot was well thought out and very original. I actually felt like I was part of the story. What also makes it great is it kind of feels like you are getting two stories for the price of one. The reader is told the actual fairy tale for the most part as well as the actual story.
The actual story is told from Oliver and Delilah's point of view which I love! That way you can get how each character is feeling.
Also, the other character is this book are very well thought out and say some amazing things! My favourite supporting character was the trusty steed Socks. He was always worrying about how he looked and would come out with some funny lines!
One other thing I enjoyed about this book was the illustrations. They are beautifully drawn, and I believe it makes this book that much more interesting.
If you are looking for something a bit different to read, don't pass up this book. It is amazing, and you won't be disappointed.
I give it a 5 out of 5.
(This review is also posted on my blog).
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Stone of Destiny: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure in Books
Jul 30, 2018
Fans of Sherlock Holmes, fans of mystery, fans of adventure and suspense - this might be your next favorite book! Now, I have never read a Sherlock Holmes book before, so I can’t compare this book to the original books from Arthur Conan Doyle. But, what I will do for you is tell you all I thought about this book!
The story begins when during the funeral of Queen Victoria, a group of Irish separatists steal the Coronation Stone, on which every royal has been crowned. To retrieve this important object, the royals will hire Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery. Holmes and his friend Watson travel to Ireland and try to infiltrate the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a group they think is responsible for all that happened.
Even though this is a Sherlock Holmes book, we actually unravel the story through a Watson-first-person point of view. He, to me, is a very interesting character, even though he follows Holmes like a puppy and doesn’t seem to have a personal opinion.
As for Sherlock Holmes, even though I really like the mysterious aura about him, and how smart he can be - I also see him as one of the rude aristocrats that refuse to speak to other people that seem to be lower in the hierarchy to them. This is of course, not presented in the book in any way - but I simply had that impression.
I loved the beginning, and I loved the mystery and suspense throughout the whole book. I was never ahead of the book, and my assumptions were never correct. I loved how the author kept us in the dark right until the end.
The small things I didn’t like though, were the slow pace - I have to admit, the pace was really slow for me, and I couldn’t wait until a chapter is finished to see if there would be more action. Then, even the action scenes weren’t as thrilling as I would expect them to be. And finally, there were no big plot twists, which I think we might have used in the book.
But - we did have a lovely mystery solving story, and we had a lot of history information floating around. We also had another book with Sherlock Holmes, that for you - lovers of the Sherlock Holmes books will of course be something you enjoy.
I greatly recommend it to you if you love the good old Sherlock Holmes adventures!
Many thanks to the author, Richard T. Ryan, for sending me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story begins when during the funeral of Queen Victoria, a group of Irish separatists steal the Coronation Stone, on which every royal has been crowned. To retrieve this important object, the royals will hire Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery. Holmes and his friend Watson travel to Ireland and try to infiltrate the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a group they think is responsible for all that happened.
Even though this is a Sherlock Holmes book, we actually unravel the story through a Watson-first-person point of view. He, to me, is a very interesting character, even though he follows Holmes like a puppy and doesn’t seem to have a personal opinion.
As for Sherlock Holmes, even though I really like the mysterious aura about him, and how smart he can be - I also see him as one of the rude aristocrats that refuse to speak to other people that seem to be lower in the hierarchy to them. This is of course, not presented in the book in any way - but I simply had that impression.
I loved the beginning, and I loved the mystery and suspense throughout the whole book. I was never ahead of the book, and my assumptions were never correct. I loved how the author kept us in the dark right until the end.
The small things I didn’t like though, were the slow pace - I have to admit, the pace was really slow for me, and I couldn’t wait until a chapter is finished to see if there would be more action. Then, even the action scenes weren’t as thrilling as I would expect them to be. And finally, there were no big plot twists, which I think we might have used in the book.
But - we did have a lovely mystery solving story, and we had a lot of history information floating around. We also had another book with Sherlock Holmes, that for you - lovers of the Sherlock Holmes books will of course be something you enjoy.
I greatly recommend it to you if you love the good old Sherlock Holmes adventures!
Many thanks to the author, Richard T. Ryan, for sending me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated Very Wicked Things (Briarcrest Academy, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Okay where to start with this review. I liked the book a lot and its a great addition to the series, but Dovey didn't resonate with me the way Nora did in Very Bad Things. Dovey was hard for me to relate to, but that doesn't mean she was a bad character by any stretch of the imagination. I loved her back story, and I loved the fact that she was attaining what everyone said her entire life she couldn't attain. I LOVED Cuba's backstory and I wish we could have delved into that a little deeper. I also wish we could have spent a little more time with Dovey and her Very Wicked deeds and her time with Barinsky.
I loved Heather-Lynn and Sarah. They were a great addition to the story, and really what made the story more emotional and tug at your heart strings.
I know I keep going back to how I didn't care for Dovey as a character, I really felt like she didn't grow as a character. Yes her perspectives changed, but she ultimately stayed the same. Cuba on the other hand grew and changed massively throughout the book, which is why I think I liked him more. He lost a lot, ditched the self blame, dropped the walls around his heart, and learned how to put other people first. It was a great journey. In my opinion I think this book is more about Cuba than it is about Dovey.
I did enjoy this book, and do hope for another book in the series, perhaps Sebastian or Emma (we HAVE to know what happens there). I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good series, this is definitely one of the best series I've read in awhile. I do also recommend you read Very Wicked Beginnings as well.
3.5 Very Wicked Stars
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I loved Heather-Lynn and Sarah. They were a great addition to the story, and really what made the story more emotional and tug at your heart strings.
I know I keep going back to how I didn't care for Dovey as a character, I really felt like she didn't grow as a character. Yes her perspectives changed, but she ultimately stayed the same. Cuba on the other hand grew and changed massively throughout the book, which is why I think I liked him more. He lost a lot, ditched the self blame, dropped the walls around his heart, and learned how to put other people first. It was a great journey. In my opinion I think this book is more about Cuba than it is about Dovey.
I did enjoy this book, and do hope for another book in the series, perhaps Sebastian or Emma (we HAVE to know what happens there). I recommend this book to everyone who likes a good series, this is definitely one of the best series I've read in awhile. I do also recommend you read Very Wicked Beginnings as well.
3.5 Very Wicked Stars
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Tiara on the Terrace (Young and Yang #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Like most teens in Luna Vista, Sophie Young and Grace Yang are working on the floats for the upcoming Winter Sun Festival. This is the 125th anniversary of the parade, and the town wants to make an especially good impression. Sadly, the work is interrupted one day when the festival president is found dead on one of the floats. Certain it wasn’t the accident the police think it is, Sophie and Grace begin to investigate. But when their pool of suspects could also be the next victim, can they solve the crime?
I really enjoyed the first book starring these two thirteen-year-olds, and I enjoyed this one just as much. They are realistic characters who just happen to solve crime. There is a large cast of other characters, but I was soon able to keep them all straight thanks to their distinct personalities. The clues were buried under red herrings, but as the solution came to light, it all made perfect sense. Definitely recommended for middle grade readers or anyone who loves a good mystery.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-tiara-on-terrace-by-kristen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really enjoyed the first book starring these two thirteen-year-olds, and I enjoyed this one just as much. They are realistic characters who just happen to solve crime. There is a large cast of other characters, but I was soon able to keep them all straight thanks to their distinct personalities. The clues were buried under red herrings, but as the solution came to light, it all made perfect sense. Definitely recommended for middle grade readers or anyone who loves a good mystery.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-tiara-on-terrace-by-kristen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Hair-Pocalypse in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Hair-pocalypse by Geoff Herbach is a wonderful, funny picture book of a boy named Aiden who has wild. Aiden is a little boy with hair that has a mind of its own. This story takes us through a day in Aiden’s life with his wild hair and how he was able to deal with it. The overall message of the book is about compromise and understanding.
Aidan has wild and crazy hair. Aidan’s also a bit on the “grubby” side, as young boys are inclined to be. The book opens with Aidan’s hair in full on rebellion. With what appears to be a mind of its own the mop of hair undertakes to make Aidan’s life embarrassing and difficult.After yelling and screaming and fighting with his hair Aidan finally has a calm conversation with the unruly mop and works out an accommodation.
The illustrations are wonderful and help enhance the story. The pictures depict the personality of the hair and show its rebellion, and then it’s eventual abandon. The pictures show the support and energize the story, which helps the reader with getting into the story.
Thank you to Capstone and Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Aidan has wild and crazy hair. Aidan’s also a bit on the “grubby” side, as young boys are inclined to be. The book opens with Aidan’s hair in full on rebellion. With what appears to be a mind of its own the mop of hair undertakes to make Aidan’s life embarrassing and difficult.After yelling and screaming and fighting with his hair Aidan finally has a calm conversation with the unruly mop and works out an accommodation.
The illustrations are wonderful and help enhance the story. The pictures depict the personality of the hair and show its rebellion, and then it’s eventual abandon. The pictures show the support and energize the story, which helps the reader with getting into the story.
Thank you to Capstone and Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Slayer and the Sphinx (The Slayer and the Sphinx, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
Samantha Reece (16 KP) rated The Great Balance (Beyond the Balance, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
T.A. Davenport has created a wonderful and exciting world in her novel The Great Balance. This is a book about good and evil with just the right amount of romance.
The characters in the book are very well developed. My personal favorite is Briellyn. She is the heroine of the novel, and she seems so real! She is a strong and confident business woman who is also so kind and good. I would love to have her as my boss! Another character I love is Eric. He is just all sorts of amazing. He is the perfect guy.
Ms. Davenport's writing is very vivid and easy to follow. The pace of her work is not too fast nor too slow. It is just right and makes you want to just keep on reading!
Also, the plot in this novel is so fresh and new! I loved the twist on the creation story from the Bible. I have yet to read anything that took a spin on Adam and Eve before, and it was really interesting!
All in all, T.A. Davenport has a special gift, and I am sure there will be more greatness to come!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
The characters in the book are very well developed. My personal favorite is Briellyn. She is the heroine of the novel, and she seems so real! She is a strong and confident business woman who is also so kind and good. I would love to have her as my boss! Another character I love is Eric. He is just all sorts of amazing. He is the perfect guy.
Ms. Davenport's writing is very vivid and easy to follow. The pace of her work is not too fast nor too slow. It is just right and makes you want to just keep on reading!
Also, the plot in this novel is so fresh and new! I loved the twist on the creation story from the Bible. I have yet to read anything that took a spin on Adam and Eve before, and it was really interesting!
All in all, T.A. Davenport has a special gift, and I am sure there will be more greatness to come!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Wildfire in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book free from StoryCartel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I love books about shifters and if you throw in a bit of romance as well then I'm happy. I wasn't too sure about the mystery part of this book but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did. This is a fast paced, funny, action packed book.
Lynn is a wonderful main female who is trying to figure out how to go one when the one rock in her life has been killed and she was accused of killing her. Then she gets a feeling that her best friend is in danger so of she goes. Lynn spends a lot of time second-guessing herself, both as human and as dragon, but seriously, if you've been through what she has, I think you'd take a step backwards too.
I loved the "tempting firefighter" and hated the "flirty city developer" so it didn't really come as a surprise that he was the bad guy. However, how it was wrapped into the story was wonderful and a delight to read.
If you want to read about dragons, firefighters, hormones, mystery then give this one a go!
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/02/wildfire-paranormal-mystery-with.html
I love books about shifters and if you throw in a bit of romance as well then I'm happy. I wasn't too sure about the mystery part of this book but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did. This is a fast paced, funny, action packed book.
Lynn is a wonderful main female who is trying to figure out how to go one when the one rock in her life has been killed and she was accused of killing her. Then she gets a feeling that her best friend is in danger so of she goes. Lynn spends a lot of time second-guessing herself, both as human and as dragon, but seriously, if you've been through what she has, I think you'd take a step backwards too.
I loved the "tempting firefighter" and hated the "flirty city developer" so it didn't really come as a surprise that he was the bad guy. However, how it was wrapped into the story was wonderful and a delight to read.
If you want to read about dragons, firefighters, hormones, mystery then give this one a go!
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/02/wildfire-paranormal-mystery-with.html
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
In a few words and sentences, The Glittering Court feels like a complete mashup of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette with a disguise and a bit of sass involved. I adore sassy countesses, but unfortunately, the sass didn’t really last long. Once Adelaide and Cedric finally get together, it seems like a happily ever after despite the not so great circumstances (all I could do was internally scream, “Where is your sass Adelaide?!?!?!”), and The Glittering Court slowly went down a boring avenue.
Overall, I have mixed feelings in regards to Richelle Mead’s latest book. It is definitely much different than her other books – I just feel like something might have fallen a bit of short. Maybe I’ve read way too many of Mead’s books, but The Glittering Court felt a little too predictable – each plot twist that was meant to be unexpected and surprised came across as something completely expected.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
In a few words and sentences, The Glittering Court feels like a complete mashup of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette with a disguise and a bit of sass involved. I adore sassy countesses, but unfortunately, the sass didn’t really last long. Once Adelaide and Cedric finally get together, it seems like a happily ever after despite the not so great circumstances (all I could do was internally scream, “Where is your sass Adelaide?!?!?!”), and The Glittering Court slowly went down a boring avenue.
Overall, I have mixed feelings in regards to Richelle Mead’s latest book. It is definitely much different than her other books – I just feel like something might have fallen a bit of short. Maybe I’ve read way too many of Mead’s books, but The Glittering Court felt a little too predictable – each plot twist that was meant to be unexpected and surprised came across as something completely expected.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Intrusion (Reflections #4) in Books
Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book takes a snapshot look at Jess after the ending of Splintered. We already know that her memories have been taken away from her and this book gives you an insight into how it will affect a person and their friends and family as they try to figure out just who they are. Add into that the whole wolf hierarchy as well as it's going to get complicated. Things are made even more difficult as Alec has lost a lot of the goodwill from the pack following the finale of Splintered.
This is a short story so please don't expect the depth and intrigue of the others but it still shows just how difficult things are. One of the things that I liked about this is that it's from Jess' point of view. As the most submissive, she is one of the least heard from out of the pack so I loved that this was about her.
If you are following the Reflections series (and if you're not, then why not?!) then this is definitely not one to miss out.
August 6, 2016
This book takes a snapshot look at Jess after the ending of Splintered. We already know that her memories have been taken away from her and this book gives you an insight into how it will affect a person and their friends and family as they try to figure out just who they are. Add into that the whole wolf hierarchy as well as it's going to get complicated. Things are made even more difficult as Alec has lost a lot of the goodwill from the pack following the finale of Splintered.
This is a short story so please don't expect the depth and intrigue of the others but it still shows just how difficult things are. One of the things that I liked about this is that it's from Jess' point of view. As the most submissive, she is one of the least heard from out of the pack so I loved that this was about her.
If you are following the Reflections series (and if you're not, then why not?!) then this is definitely not one to miss out.
August 6, 2016