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ArecRain (8 KP) rated A Woman Worth Ten Coppers (Shadowed Path, #1) in Books

Jan 18, 2018

I could not put this book down. From the first chapter, I was hooked. So many secrets surround Honus and Yim, and, as the reader, I wanted so much to figure out each and every one right along with the protagonists. However, I felt like nothing ever happened.

First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.

I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.

The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.

If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.

Kudos

Dana (24 KP) rated An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes #1) in Books

Mar 23, 2018

I have been lucky enough to read a lot of amazing books recently, this one included!

I honestly don't know why I waited so long to read it, but I'm glad I finally picked it up. It definitely lived up to its hype (something not every book can say)!!

I loved the charcter development. Even when the characters themselves couldn't see it, it was amazing to watch them grow. Getting to see Laia grow stronger with each chapter, both emotionally and physically, made me very excited and I found myself rooting for her in every action she did! Laia and Elias are amazing. Yes, there were two (2!!) love triangles going on at the same time, but we weren't focused primarily on that. Plus, we know the endgame (am I right? Laias forever!). And to make it even better, POC CHARACTERS!!!!!! I have been loving the trend of more POC characters recently!! Authors, definitely keep up the amazing work with that!!!

The world was fascinating, the characters were beautifully described, and I was completely drawn in from the first page. The mystery and intrigue was just coy enough to keep us guessing, but not annoyingly over-the-top to where it was keeping important information from us. I thought that was very tastefully done. I loved how it was able to get gritty and dark without being disgusting or too graphic.

Overall, I absolutely adored this novel. I can see why it got picked up for a movie deal so quickly! It deserved it!!

Kudos

Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Military Wife in Books

Jan 26, 2019

Fresh perspective

THE MILITARY WIFE swept me up quickly into Harper's life and story. Harper was a military widow and what was unusual about her tale was that she was five years down the line from being widowed. She was forever changed by her experiences, sad at times but she was also functional and optimistic about life ahead.

This story is told in a past/present chapter approach. Whilst I really did want to be focused in the present and what was happening there, I did appreciate the need to know the story underpinning the 'now'.

A strange revelation in Harper's life threw her into the path of her late husband's closest 'brother' and Bennett is reluctant to see or communicate with Harper. Bennett was a large, interesting but quiet man and Harper was persistent, getting under his skin. What develops between these two is slow-burning and beautiful. Although there was heat, the focus was very much on the emotionality of the connection and this intensity was fantastic.

There was a cast of strong secondary characters including another military family who were in crisis, Harper's son and her mother. The stories around these characters were strong and interwoven inexplicably into Harper and Bennett's tale. This all made for a rich and deep story.

This is my first time reading Laura Trentham but I literally can't wait for more of this series. I will also be perusing her other books as I wait.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.