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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Icons (Icons, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
This book had a lot of potential, and I was really getting into it… before I just got too out of it to keep going. Maybe one day I’ll read it again but I stopped at chapter 8.
There are only two reasons why. Which is really too bad because like I said, there was A LOT of potential here.
1. Emotionally sappy. Sap city, guys. "It was like “Our wrists touched and I felt it tingling down my arm and into my toes to the depths of my soul” kind of sappy. Overdramatic is another way to say it. I’ve talked about this before, and I’m sure I’ll talk about it again… romantic scenes are hard to write. But if you suck at them, find a way to tell the romantic story without writing sucky scenes.
2. The story itself was almost a repeat of The Hunger Games. Now I know, there are a lot of major differences, but let’s look at the similarities: An evil all-powerful and all-controlling government, a creepy government leader, a boy and a girl who are totally in love with each other but won’t admit it are trying to bring it down and just get back to the way things are supposed to be, they get brought to the main city and forced to participate in something they don’t want to do but don’t have a choice in… etc. Also, love triangle. Yeah. It’s The Hunger Games but more sci-fi technically advanced.
It just wasn’t for me. That being said, there were a lot of good things about it! It was exciting, it drew you in right away, the characters were distinct, the setting and descriptions were excellent. It was just those two things that kept coming back to me, and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to finish listening to it.
Content/Recommendation: occasional use of light language. Ages 13+
There are only two reasons why. Which is really too bad because like I said, there was A LOT of potential here.
1. Emotionally sappy. Sap city, guys. "It was like “Our wrists touched and I felt it tingling down my arm and into my toes to the depths of my soul” kind of sappy. Overdramatic is another way to say it. I’ve talked about this before, and I’m sure I’ll talk about it again… romantic scenes are hard to write. But if you suck at them, find a way to tell the romantic story without writing sucky scenes.
2. The story itself was almost a repeat of The Hunger Games. Now I know, there are a lot of major differences, but let’s look at the similarities: An evil all-powerful and all-controlling government, a creepy government leader, a boy and a girl who are totally in love with each other but won’t admit it are trying to bring it down and just get back to the way things are supposed to be, they get brought to the main city and forced to participate in something they don’t want to do but don’t have a choice in… etc. Also, love triangle. Yeah. It’s The Hunger Games but more sci-fi technically advanced.
It just wasn’t for me. That being said, there were a lot of good things about it! It was exciting, it drew you in right away, the characters were distinct, the setting and descriptions were excellent. It was just those two things that kept coming back to me, and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to finish listening to it.
Content/Recommendation: occasional use of light language. Ages 13+
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Stillwater Girls in Books
May 22, 2019
Two sisters raised in fear are about to find out why in a chilling novel of psychological suspense from the author of The Thinnest Air.
Ignorant of civilization and cautioned against its evils, nineteen-year-old Wren and her two sisters, Sage and Evie, were raised in off-the-grid isolation in a primitive cabin in up-state New York. When the youngest grows gravely ill, their mother leaves with the child to get help from a nearby town. And they never return.
As months pass, hope vanishes. Supplies are low. Livestock are dying. A brutal winter is bearing down. Then comes the stranger. He claims to be looking for the girls mother, and hes not leaving without them.
To escape, Wren and her sister must break the rule they've grown up with: never go beyond the forest.
Past the thicket of dread, they come upon a house on the other side of the pines. This is where Wren and Sage must confront something more chilling than the unknowable. Theyll discover whats been hidden from them, what theyre running from, and the secrets that have left them in the dark their entire lives.
This was my first novel by Minka Kent and it was quite a suspenseful story.
The chapters switched between two characters which was good as well.
Wren, Sage and Evie are three sisters and their mother has been raising them in the forest away from all of civilization.
This is a great story that will have you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter. Very well written.
Loved the plot and the pace. Characters were very believable.
The ending is such an unexpected twist.
Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Highly recommend.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of The Stillwater Girls. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Ignorant of civilization and cautioned against its evils, nineteen-year-old Wren and her two sisters, Sage and Evie, were raised in off-the-grid isolation in a primitive cabin in up-state New York. When the youngest grows gravely ill, their mother leaves with the child to get help from a nearby town. And they never return.
As months pass, hope vanishes. Supplies are low. Livestock are dying. A brutal winter is bearing down. Then comes the stranger. He claims to be looking for the girls mother, and hes not leaving without them.
To escape, Wren and her sister must break the rule they've grown up with: never go beyond the forest.
Past the thicket of dread, they come upon a house on the other side of the pines. This is where Wren and Sage must confront something more chilling than the unknowable. Theyll discover whats been hidden from them, what theyre running from, and the secrets that have left them in the dark their entire lives.
This was my first novel by Minka Kent and it was quite a suspenseful story.
The chapters switched between two characters which was good as well.
Wren, Sage and Evie are three sisters and their mother has been raising them in the forest away from all of civilization.
This is a great story that will have you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter. Very well written.
Loved the plot and the pace. Characters were very believable.
The ending is such an unexpected twist.
Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Highly recommend.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of The Stillwater Girls. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated One Little Lie in Books
Jun 5, 2019
Yep, one little lie is all it takes for it to snowball out of control and turn into a humdinger of a white, furry monster. By the way there are no yetis in this story, that was just me trying to be clever…
Onwards and upwards… You know you want to…
Psychologist Connie’s patient, Alice Mann has a son who is a murderer. Alice’s son killed Deborah’s son and is desperate for her forgiveness. Connie wants Alice to leave it all alone and to not get involved with Deborah, however, in an effort to redeem herself, Alice starts up a support group for the parents of murderers, but there’s one little lie she’s told which is about to snowball out of control.
Confused? You should(n’t) be. But stick with me…
Tension grows between Alice and Deborah and a young girl goes missing. Soon the police are suspecting not only foul play, but that maybe the wrong person was locked up for Deborah’s son’s murder and still out there. (Slaps head, I mean, how thick are these policemen?)
After a slow start (there are several characters and it does jump around a bit) I found the twists and turns of this story really had me on edge. At times I felt I was walking on eggshells around Alice and Deb, just waiting for it all to explode. In my minds eye I can see this as a really good film or BBC drama! Visually I don’t think it would be so complicated. But then, maybe that’s not what I should be taking away from all this.
Incidentally, this carries on from Bad Sister, featuring the same psychologist Connie, and DI Lindsay Wade, but can easily be read as a standalone story. Actually I really liked this aspect, I wasn’t expecting that when I picked up the book.
Once I got into this, I discovered it is actually cleverly written so when you reach the end of each chapter, you’ll not want to stop!
Onwards and upwards… You know you want to…
Psychologist Connie’s patient, Alice Mann has a son who is a murderer. Alice’s son killed Deborah’s son and is desperate for her forgiveness. Connie wants Alice to leave it all alone and to not get involved with Deborah, however, in an effort to redeem herself, Alice starts up a support group for the parents of murderers, but there’s one little lie she’s told which is about to snowball out of control.
Confused? You should(n’t) be. But stick with me…
Tension grows between Alice and Deborah and a young girl goes missing. Soon the police are suspecting not only foul play, but that maybe the wrong person was locked up for Deborah’s son’s murder and still out there. (Slaps head, I mean, how thick are these policemen?)
After a slow start (there are several characters and it does jump around a bit) I found the twists and turns of this story really had me on edge. At times I felt I was walking on eggshells around Alice and Deb, just waiting for it all to explode. In my minds eye I can see this as a really good film or BBC drama! Visually I don’t think it would be so complicated. But then, maybe that’s not what I should be taking away from all this.
Incidentally, this carries on from Bad Sister, featuring the same psychologist Connie, and DI Lindsay Wade, but can easily be read as a standalone story. Actually I really liked this aspect, I wasn’t expecting that when I picked up the book.
Once I got into this, I discovered it is actually cleverly written so when you reach the end of each chapter, you’ll not want to stop!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Falling for You (A Bradford Sisters Romance, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I can't tell you how precious the Bradford family is. A history of heartache, bonds that no one can beak, loyalty, love, forgiveness...As we learn more about the sisters and the family, we come to see that even though these are fictional characters, God's plans can take even the worst situations and turn them into good for His glory.
It was interesting reading Willow and Corbin's story because although the details were vastly different, my husband and I have a similar story. We dated for a while, broke up, I moved to Africa and he went off to boot camp...But God wasn't done with us yet. Through God's grace and forgiveness, He brought us back together and we are now going on 7 years of marriage. 😍 Corbin and Willow go through so much in this book. Willow's battle with unforgiveness (not only for Corbin but for herself) is something that I think many of us can relate to. We know God forgives us, but can we forgive ourselves? Can we truly believe that our loving Father wants to BLESS us with immeasurable joy? Or do we think we are unworthy of such love?
I love that Becky Wade infuses her stories with a bit of mystery alongside the romance. I love trying to solve the problems alongside the characters. She writes her stories in such a way that you just HAVE to read ONE more chapter!!!
Set in my home state, I love the setting she chose for Bradfordwood. It's truly a beautiful area. Even if it is the "rainy" side. LOL!
Filled with Biblical truths, heartache, mystery, romance, and forgiveness, Falling for You will sweep you off your feet and I pray open your eyes of the love and forgiveness that our heavenly Father carries for us all. YES....even you!
I received a complimentary copy of Falling for You from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
It was interesting reading Willow and Corbin's story because although the details were vastly different, my husband and I have a similar story. We dated for a while, broke up, I moved to Africa and he went off to boot camp...But God wasn't done with us yet. Through God's grace and forgiveness, He brought us back together and we are now going on 7 years of marriage. 😍 Corbin and Willow go through so much in this book. Willow's battle with unforgiveness (not only for Corbin but for herself) is something that I think many of us can relate to. We know God forgives us, but can we forgive ourselves? Can we truly believe that our loving Father wants to BLESS us with immeasurable joy? Or do we think we are unworthy of such love?
I love that Becky Wade infuses her stories with a bit of mystery alongside the romance. I love trying to solve the problems alongside the characters. She writes her stories in such a way that you just HAVE to read ONE more chapter!!!
Set in my home state, I love the setting she chose for Bradfordwood. It's truly a beautiful area. Even if it is the "rainy" side. LOL!
Filled with Biblical truths, heartache, mystery, romance, and forgiveness, Falling for You will sweep you off your feet and I pray open your eyes of the love and forgiveness that our heavenly Father carries for us all. YES....even you!
I received a complimentary copy of Falling for You from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
My rating: 3.5
<i>I won a copy for free through Totally Random Books on Facebook</i>
<i>Crusher</i> is the first installment and debut novel in a young adult thriller series by Irish born author Niall Leonard. Set in present day London it follows Finn Maguire, an illiterate, 17-year old drop out with no GCSEs, after the murder of his stepfather. Being marked as the prime suspect by the police, Finn is determined to discover who the real murdered was, and just as importantly, what their motive was.
As the story unfolds Finn pursues multiples of potential killers. Could it be someone his father knew? As an ex-actor many people knew him. Or was he writing about something someone would rather no become public knowledge? Perhaps London’s biggest gangster, Joseph McGovern, had something to do with it? As Finn gets involved with these people he finds he has put him self in danger of being killed as well.
Leonard writes well and the story is fast paced and engaging however there was an inconsistency in the narrative. Towards the beginning Finn tells the reader “I put in my password and the laptop grunted and groaned… The cops hadn’t asked for my password… Obviously they’d managed to bypass it some how.” However in the following chapter Finn talks about the same laptop: “Eventually the desktop appeared with a tinny fanfare. I’d never bothered with a password… I found it a huge pain in the arse to enter one.” Hmm, that does not quite add up!
Another issue with this novel is that Finn is meant to be an uneducated, ex-drug dealer however he comes across as more of a semi-polite but witty average teenager who is able to take care of himself. The character portrayal becomes slightly more accurate towards the conclusion of the book, but some may find it difficult to picture Finn the way Leonard intended readers to.
Despite these complaints it is a good read. Many young adults would enjoy it.
<i>I won a copy for free through Totally Random Books on Facebook</i>
<i>Crusher</i> is the first installment and debut novel in a young adult thriller series by Irish born author Niall Leonard. Set in present day London it follows Finn Maguire, an illiterate, 17-year old drop out with no GCSEs, after the murder of his stepfather. Being marked as the prime suspect by the police, Finn is determined to discover who the real murdered was, and just as importantly, what their motive was.
As the story unfolds Finn pursues multiples of potential killers. Could it be someone his father knew? As an ex-actor many people knew him. Or was he writing about something someone would rather no become public knowledge? Perhaps London’s biggest gangster, Joseph McGovern, had something to do with it? As Finn gets involved with these people he finds he has put him self in danger of being killed as well.
Leonard writes well and the story is fast paced and engaging however there was an inconsistency in the narrative. Towards the beginning Finn tells the reader “I put in my password and the laptop grunted and groaned… The cops hadn’t asked for my password… Obviously they’d managed to bypass it some how.” However in the following chapter Finn talks about the same laptop: “Eventually the desktop appeared with a tinny fanfare. I’d never bothered with a password… I found it a huge pain in the arse to enter one.” Hmm, that does not quite add up!
Another issue with this novel is that Finn is meant to be an uneducated, ex-drug dealer however he comes across as more of a semi-polite but witty average teenager who is able to take care of himself. The character portrayal becomes slightly more accurate towards the conclusion of the book, but some may find it difficult to picture Finn the way Leonard intended readers to.
Despite these complaints it is a good read. Many young adults would enjoy it.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Reddening in Books
Oct 27, 2019
Fantastic
Contains spoilers, click to show
One million years of evolution didn't change our nature. Nor did it bury the horrors predating civilisation. Ancient rites, old deities and savage ways can reappear in the places you least expect.
Lifestyle journalist Katrine escaped past traumas by moving to a coast renowned for seaside holidays and natural beauty. But when a vast hoard of human remains and prehistoric artefacts is discovered in nearby Brickburgh, a hideous shadow engulfs her life.
Helene, a disillusioned lone parent, lost her brother, Lincoln, six years ago. Disturbing subterranean noises he recorded prior to vanishing, draw her to Brickburgh's caves. A site where early humans butchered each other across sixty thousand years. Upon the walls, images of their nameless gods remain.
Amidst rumours of drug plantations and new sightings of the mythical red folk, it also appears that the inquisitive have been disappearing from this remote part of the world for years. A rural idyll where outsiders are unwelcome and where an infernal power is believed to linger beneath the earth. A timeless supernormal influence that only the desperate would dream of confronting. But to save themselves and those they love, and to thwart a crimson tide of pitiless barbarity, Kat and Helene are given no choice. They were involved and condemned before they knew it.
I was lucky enough to have a signed limited edition brought for my birthday first off the art work is just brilliant. After trying my hardest not to devour it within two days I made it last and enjoyed it so much. The imagery was just fantastic helped along with pictures posted by Adam showing his inspiration while writing. Chapter 21 all I can say is poor Steve. You felt everything these two women experienced from Helene's swim to Kat's captivity. The one thing I didn't like while reading was my kids and husbands need to keep interrupting me!! Thank you Adam for another fantastic book!

Lifestyle journalist Katrine escaped past traumas by moving to a coast renowned for seaside holidays and natural beauty. But when a vast hoard of human remains and prehistoric artefacts is discovered in nearby Brickburgh, a hideous shadow engulfs her life.
Helene, a disillusioned lone parent, lost her brother, Lincoln, six years ago. Disturbing subterranean noises he recorded prior to vanishing, draw her to Brickburgh's caves. A site where early humans butchered each other across sixty thousand years. Upon the walls, images of their nameless gods remain.
Amidst rumours of drug plantations and new sightings of the mythical red folk, it also appears that the inquisitive have been disappearing from this remote part of the world for years. A rural idyll where outsiders are unwelcome and where an infernal power is believed to linger beneath the earth. A timeless supernormal influence that only the desperate would dream of confronting. But to save themselves and those they love, and to thwart a crimson tide of pitiless barbarity, Kat and Helene are given no choice. They were involved and condemned before they knew it.
I was lucky enough to have a signed limited edition brought for my birthday first off the art work is just brilliant. After trying my hardest not to devour it within two days I made it last and enjoyed it so much. The imagery was just fantastic helped along with pictures posted by Adam showing his inspiration while writing. Chapter 21 all I can say is poor Steve. You felt everything these two women experienced from Helene's swim to Kat's captivity. The one thing I didn't like while reading was my kids and husbands need to keep interrupting me!! Thank you Adam for another fantastic book!

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