Search

Search only in certain items:

Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)
Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)
Ally Carter | 2010 | Young Adult (YA)
6
6.9 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I bought this book from a Scholastic book order that I sent home with my 4th graders...yeah, 4th graders. I thought the synopsis looked interesting & I had heard good things about the author.
I enjoyed the book. It is similar to The Italian Job or Ocean's 11, but for a middle/early high school crowd. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. The writing was simple, but the plot was interesting if not a bit predictable in places. Of course it is hard for me to judge too harshly because I am not its target audience.
With that being said, it was still a great read! I look forward to continuing to read the series & see what Katarina does with her life.
  
I love, love, loved this book! This is my first Mercedes Lackey book and it most definitely won't be my last! If all - or even most - of her other books are as good as this one, I'll be a fan for life! I do think the synopsis is a bit misleading, it's not exactly how everything happened, especially since the prince doesn't enter the picture until halfway through the book. Maybe hardcore fantasy readers won't enjoy it as much as those who love both fantasy and romance, but I thought it was a very smart and interesting twist on the usual fairy tales. I loved the epilogue and thought that added to the whole 'moral' of the story. I can't wait to get to the others in the series. :)
  
Bea Cartwright is facing stiff competition from twins who have set up a bed and breakfast on South Bass Island themed after Gone with the Wind. While she figured out how to get customers back – any customers at all – a local relator is murdered and Bea’s friend Chandra starts acting suspicious. Can Bea clear her?

I love the characters in this series, so it’s always a delight to visit them. This book is no exception. The pace appears to lag at times, but it also picks back up again soon. I certainly always had a hard time putting it down.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-gone-with-twins-by-kylie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Stan is hired to cater a birthday party for a dog at a neighboring farm. However before the party can even get started, the owner is found dead. Did one of Hal’s business dealings turn deadly?

While I enjoyed the first book in the series, this one was even stronger. The characters are growing in an engaging way, and I liked spending time around them. The pacing of the plot was better than the first, and I was surprised by several twists before we reached the climax. There were several engaging sub-plots as well, and some plot threads from the first book were picked up and resolved here as well.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-biscuit-casket-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
8
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is good, although it is somewhat frustrating that almost every chapter has flashbacks. Once you become familiar with the routine though it is easier to read and understand. The story is interesting, as the idea is unique and not like any other dystopian novel I have read. There is no real conclusion and it leaves everything hanging until the next book, which was rather annoying. I would like to see some sort of short term conclusions at the end of a novel, to feel that there is some sort of resolution. This is definitely not one of my favorites but I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out just because I need to know what happens with the characters.
  
40x40

Crystal (9 KP) rated The 100 in Books

Jul 4, 2018  
The 100
The 100
Kass Morgan | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
6
7.5 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is good, although it is somewhat frustrating that almost every chapter has flashbacks. Once you become familiar with the routine though it is easier to read and understand. The story is interesting, as the idea is unique and not like any other dystopian novel I have read. There is no real conclusion and it leaves everything hanging until the next book, which was rather annoying. I would like to see some sort of short term conclusions at the end of a novel, to feel that there is some sort of resolution. This is definitely not one of my favorites but I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out just because I need to know what happens with the characters.
  
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and when the opportunity to read this book fell into my lap I, of course, jumped at the chance.

The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.

The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
  
This book is the first of a set of four, written by four different authors. It started with a single idea - rewrite fairytales with a mystical twist. Collectively, it's called the Royal House of Shadows.

I've enjoyed Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series and wanted to see how she would write under a "Mills & Boon" title!!!

I enjoyed this book and read it in one evening. It is a fast-paced book, not 'heavy' at all, although there are some twists and turns to the story as it involves memories being taken and you have to stay up to date with who did what to whom.

On the whole, a pleasant read. It didn't blow my socks off or make me blush but wasn't a waste of time either.
  
C(
Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you are looking for a hot, sensual and thrilling (on more than one level) quick read, then I suggest you try out Felicity Heaton's first book in the Vampire Erotic Theatre series. This book lets you dip your toe in the vampire's world. It gives you a run down on the difference between the two sets of vampires and gives you a quick insight into what their world is like. There are characters in here that make the story very intriguing - and not just Javier and Lilah!

I love the groundwork that the author has put down, these details are what makes a book special and very, very readable.

If you want something bland and boring, then pass by this Novella. This is hot and spicy - loved it!
  
The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
Melissa Albert | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is probably even darker than the first book. I really like reworked fairy tales, and I think the characters in this series are more like the characters that the Brothers Grimm had in mind before they were told to rewrite them less scary (I still want to get my hands on the originals - they sound deliciously dark, like this book).

This is a great continuation of the first novel. It looks at how Alice and the other Hinterlanders settle in to life in New York, and Finch’s continuing adventures in The Hinterland. I can’t say much more than this without giving the story away, but needless to say, if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for my copy to read and honestly review!