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Deborah (162 KP) rated My Brilliant Friend in Books
Feb 4, 2019
Simply Dull
I can't remember the last time I was so glad to finish a book, and I only finished this one as it was a book club pick - I could happily have left it at any point!
I did wonder if it was just me, but I noted plenty of Amazon reviews from other people having to read it for the same reason and having the same problems!
I'd like to put some of it down to the translation, but really my problem was that this was just DULL. Stuff happened, but I didn't feel any emotional impact from us. The beginning of the book has pages and pages of characters listed, but I didn't really care for any of them.
The beginning is also odd and doesn't get picked up on again. Mind you, there are apparently another three books in the series..... needless to say I won't be reading those! The ending was also quite abrupt.
Now I have book club to go to and don't know what to say other than it was really dull!
I did wonder if it was just me, but I noted plenty of Amazon reviews from other people having to read it for the same reason and having the same problems!
I'd like to put some of it down to the translation, but really my problem was that this was just DULL. Stuff happened, but I didn't feel any emotional impact from us. The beginning of the book has pages and pages of characters listed, but I didn't really care for any of them.
The beginning is also odd and doesn't get picked up on again. Mind you, there are apparently another three books in the series..... needless to say I won't be reading those! The ending was also quite abrupt.
Now I have book club to go to and don't know what to say other than it was really dull!
Kyera (8 KP) rated Rise of the Isle of the Lost (Descendants #3) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Rise of the Isle of the Lost is the third book in the Descendants series, a collection of books about the kids of the most infamous Disney villains. It is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie by the same name and Rise occurs just before the events of the second movie. It follows the villain kids Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos in Auradon, as well as Uma and her pirate crew on the Isle of the Lost.
The book is a middle school reading level, so it is very simply written. I wasn't particularly impressed with the story or the writing, although the book was enjoyable enough. I chose to read it because I am a fan of Disney and found the premise to be intriguing. The execution was underwhelming, but I feel that younger readers would really enjoy this book. It is perfect for those in grades five to seven. I would recommend it to those that are fans of the movie and suggest that you read it before seeing the second movie, as that is where it falls chronologically.
The book is a middle school reading level, so it is very simply written. I wasn't particularly impressed with the story or the writing, although the book was enjoyable enough. I chose to read it because I am a fan of Disney and found the premise to be intriguing. The execution was underwhelming, but I feel that younger readers would really enjoy this book. It is perfect for those in grades five to seven. I would recommend it to those that are fans of the movie and suggest that you read it before seeing the second movie, as that is where it falls chronologically.
The Toy and Train Expo has come to town, and Liz McCall and her father have a booth for their vintage toy shop, Well Played. Their booth is next to a face from Liz’s past, Craig McFadden, who used to bully Liz in school. Craig has some big announcement to make this weekend, but before he can, he plunges off the cat walk in the convention center. What’s going on?
I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-on-toy-town-express.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-murder-on-toy-town-express.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated The Sound of Murder (Ivy Meadows Mysteries, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ivy’s latest gig is in The Sound of Cabaret, a mash up of The Sound of Music and Cabaret. She’s also housesitting, and one of her new neighbors dies in his garage. While it looks like a suicide, the man’s daughter hires Ivy and her uncle to find proof he was murdered. Can Ivy balance her first investigation with her new show? Is there even a killer to find?
I enjoyed the first book in this series a few months ago, and I enjoyed this one just as much. There are several sub-plots, and they do take the spotlight from the murder in the first half, but as the book progressed the murder was more center stage. Some of those sub-plots even wound up tying in to the main plot. The characters are a delightfully fun bunch, and they kept me engaged the entire way through. Sprinkle in a good dose of humor and you’ve got another great book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-sound-of-murder-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first book in this series a few months ago, and I enjoyed this one just as much. There are several sub-plots, and they do take the spotlight from the murder in the first half, but as the book progressed the murder was more center stage. Some of those sub-plots even wound up tying in to the main plot. The characters are a delightfully fun bunch, and they kept me engaged the entire way through. Sprinkle in a good dose of humor and you’ve got another great book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-sound-of-murder-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated 15th Affair in Books
Mar 9, 2018
SFPD detective Lindsay Boxer is called to a hotel where three people have been murdered in two rooms while the security cameras malfunctioned. It’s seeming like a fairly normal case until she begins to learn who the victims were. And until her husband Joe crosses the radar as a person of interest in the case. Only Joe has vanished. What is going on?
I’ve been wanting the women in this series to work on a big case again, which they do here. Unfortunately, Yuki is lucky to get a cameo, and Clair and Cindy provide a clue each and are sidelined for the rest of the book. To make matters worse, Lindsay blows everything with Joe out of proportion and comes off looking very immature and childish as a result. The cliffhanger from the previous book is ignored while this book stops with another cliffhanger. And I do use the word stop on purpose. At least the mystery was decent.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-15th-affair-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve been wanting the women in this series to work on a big case again, which they do here. Unfortunately, Yuki is lucky to get a cameo, and Clair and Cindy provide a clue each and are sidelined for the rest of the book. To make matters worse, Lindsay blows everything with Joe out of proportion and comes off looking very immature and childish as a result. The cliffhanger from the previous book is ignored while this book stops with another cliffhanger. And I do use the word stop on purpose. At least the mystery was decent.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-15th-affair-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Assault & Beret (Hat Shop Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Cousins Vivian and Scarlett are in Paris, Vivian to teach a hat making class, and Scarlett to track down Vivian’s husband, Will. That search actually goes fairly quickly, but Vivian and Will have hardly reunited when he is kidnapped. Now Scarlett has to track him down again. But what is happening?
I hadn’t realized how much I missed Jenn’s writing until I started this book and fell under her spell once again. It engages us from the very beginning, but things really pick up once Will is kidnapped and the real complications start happening. One aspect of the plot isn’t explained, but it is easy to surmise what happened. We meet some fun new characters, but the series regulars manage to find their way over as the book progresses, and they are a delight as always.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-assault-and-beret-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed Jenn’s writing until I started this book and fell under her spell once again. It engages us from the very beginning, but things really pick up once Will is kidnapped and the real complications start happening. One aspect of the plot isn’t explained, but it is easy to surmise what happened. We meet some fun new characters, but the series regulars manage to find their way over as the book progresses, and they are a delight as always.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-assault-and-beret-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #6) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Review Updated as of 12/21/2017:
J. R. Ward has a way of making you love and hate characters. Lover Enshrined infuriated me and made me cry tears of happiness. This is the story of Phury which is about as messed up as anyone would expect. You see a lot of the addict in him and you get to know him better in this novel.
I liked this book just like all of the others in this series but I will say that it frustrated me to the point of having to change back to reading the book instead of listening. The narrator did a great job but there is just something about reading while frustrated vs. listening while frustrated.
This book brings you new characters to fall in love with and relate to. The characters are well thought out and are still unique and interesting. J.R. Ward definitely knows how to make characters that you will fall in love with and relate to.
All in all, it's a good book.
J. R. Ward has a way of making you love and hate characters. Lover Enshrined infuriated me and made me cry tears of happiness. This is the story of Phury which is about as messed up as anyone would expect. You see a lot of the addict in him and you get to know him better in this novel.
I liked this book just like all of the others in this series but I will say that it frustrated me to the point of having to change back to reading the book instead of listening. The narrator did a great job but there is just something about reading while frustrated vs. listening while frustrated.
This book brings you new characters to fall in love with and relate to. The characters are well thought out and are still unique and interesting. J.R. Ward definitely knows how to make characters that you will fall in love with and relate to.
All in all, it's a good book.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Denial (Careless Whispers, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have been wanting to read this book since it came out but I never found the time to sit down and truly start to read it. Lisa is a phenomenal author and I forgot how much I love Lisa Renee Jones' books. Lisa has a way with words and truly engulfs you in the story. Her characters speak for themselves and it seems that they constantly jump off the page and become your new best friend.
I love how much Lisa puts into her books. The characters, the scenery, the plot twists all have you wanting more. Ella is a likable character in the Inside Out series and it is nice to see, even with amnesia, she is likable. I loved getting to know her as a character and I cannot wait for the next book.
If you're looking for a fun book that has darker undertones, this one is for you! Seriously, just read it.
I have been wanting to read this book since it came out but I never found the time to sit down and truly start to read it. Lisa is a phenomenal author and I forgot how much I love Lisa Renee Jones' books. Lisa has a way with words and truly engulfs you in the story. Her characters speak for themselves and it seems that they constantly jump off the page and become your new best friend.
I love how much Lisa puts into her books. The characters, the scenery, the plot twists all have you wanting more. Ella is a likable character in the Inside Out series and it is nice to see, even with amnesia, she is likable. I loved getting to know her as a character and I cannot wait for the next book.
If you're looking for a fun book that has darker undertones, this one is for you! Seriously, just read it.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated war/SONG in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Characters (2 more)
Plot
Writing
I am really struggling to write this review simply because I loved this book so much. As many of you know, I have a HUGE thing for vampires so to find a new vampire series has made me incredibly giddy. Armada West's war/SONG is a fast paced adventure that is sure to delight any vampire fan. This is one vampire novel that isn't too cliché and I loved the vampire vs. magi element in it.
What really stole the show in this novel were the characters. Each character was well thought out and made you yearn to learn more about them. I couldn't help but fall in love with Luca, and I found the heroine to be fascinating as well. Armada West certainly knows how to create characters you're going to miss once the book ends.
All in all, I really loved this book. I am genuinely surprised that this book doesn't have more reviews. I cannot wait to read more of Armada's books. Seriously, read it!
What really stole the show in this novel were the characters. Each character was well thought out and made you yearn to learn more about them. I couldn't help but fall in love with Luca, and I found the heroine to be fascinating as well. Armada West certainly knows how to create characters you're going to miss once the book ends.
All in all, I really loved this book. I am genuinely surprised that this book doesn't have more reviews. I cannot wait to read more of Armada's books. Seriously, read it!
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, #1) in Books
Dec 29, 2018
Not my cup of tea
I got this book through a Smashbomb Christmas, and it's a lot different from what I would normally read. The story follows caption John Geary as he attempts to get his fleet of space ships back home.
I did enjoy most of the characters in the book, and Geary was a great MC. He spends the majority of the story just trying to make the most out of a situation he was thrown into.
My least favorite part of this book was the extremely long chapters. I prefer short chapters and segments so I have plenty of opportunities to stop while reading. This book has 293 pages, but only 11 chapters. At times I had to stop reading mid chapter, and for me personally that really takes away from the experience.
I enjoyed having the opportunity to read something a little out of my comfort zone, but I will not be picking up the rest of the series. I would however suggest this to anyone who is interested in space adventures.
I did enjoy most of the characters in the book, and Geary was a great MC. He spends the majority of the story just trying to make the most out of a situation he was thrown into.
My least favorite part of this book was the extremely long chapters. I prefer short chapters and segments so I have plenty of opportunities to stop while reading. This book has 293 pages, but only 11 chapters. At times I had to stop reading mid chapter, and for me personally that really takes away from the experience.
I enjoyed having the opportunity to read something a little out of my comfort zone, but I will not be picking up the rest of the series. I would however suggest this to anyone who is interested in space adventures.