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Tell Her No Lies
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, how do I put this? Well, I pride myself in providing honest, and quality, reviews, so, I'll say this. I didn't care for this one. It took me three times to get through just the first four chapters. As someone who has read and loved Kelly Irvin's Amish romances, I was very disappointed in the outcome of reading this one. I didn't finish it past chapter 4. 

The dialogue was not easy to follow, as it felt stiff. I just could not enjoy a book like that. The characters weren't life like to me, like I like to feel when reading about them. I like to become the characters, to feel as though I'm a part of the story. Not being able to get past chapter 4.....well, that's because the characters all felt forced. 

That said, I do still encourage you to try this book. Not everyone is for every book and not every book is for everyone. What I found forced and undesirable, you may find beautifully chiseled and absolutely gripping, as you can see that Kelly Irvin really does have a great writing style, if you've read her past Amish novels. So, this will be my first 2 star review in quite some time. I hope that you find you like it, if you give it a try. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins (Thomas Nelson) and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
CA
Cats Aloft (Anton and Cecil #3)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Anton and Cecil, Book 3, by Lisa Martin, and Valerie Martin is the third book in the Anton and Cecil historical fiction series. After traveling by ship and train in the first two books, they get an opportunity to travel in the air in this outing. Anton and Cecil hook up with a bloodhound, Ruby LaNez in Chicago, to try a solve the mystery of the stolen white puppies. After helping to capture a bank robber, they head off to the fair to track down half a dozen missing white puppies. When they think they know who the culprits are, Cecil accidentally ends up in a hot air balloon. After a disaster in the sky, he ends up at the circus where he locates the missing puppies. With the help of some of the circus animals and a group of overgrown rats, he comes up with a plan to free a Siberian tiger and rescue the puppies. Anton and Ruby follow their noses and also end up at the circus.
What an enjoyable adventure for a pair of adventurous cats. The illustrations are scattered throughout this early chapter book and add just enough visual appeal that children will enjoy. For readers who love animal adventurers this is a fun series. This is an early chapter book that would be great for those late primary, junior readers to enjoy.

I received an advanced copy this book via NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers. Thanks so much.
  
Stephen Laws Spectre
Stephen Laws Spectre
Stephen Laws | 2013 | Horror, Mystery, Paranormal
10
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great storyline (2 more)
Lots of twists & turns
Supernatural theme
It ended a bit too suddenly (0 more)
Twists & turns galore! I couldn't put this book down!!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Blurb:The inseparable Byker Chapter: six boys, one girl, growing up together in the back streets of Newcastle. Now memories are all that Richard Eden has left and one treasured photograph. But suddenly, inexplicably, the images of his companions start to fade, and as they vanish, so his friends are found dead and mutilated. Something is stalking the Chapter, picking them off one by one, something connected with their past, and with the girl they used to know.

Review:

So I got this book after going to a Sci-Fi convention, I met the author who was wonderful!

This book is divided into different parts, which I think helps as it is a lot to take in and can be quite heavy going. When I started to read this, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. The first part is pretty heavy going (the build-up) and there is a lot of information to take in and remember but once you get past this part, it then blossoms into a fabulous book with so many supernaturally frightening twists and turns, you never know which direction it is going to go in next!

Overall, I thoroughly loved this book and if you fancy something different to read then definitely read this!!
  
Lincoln in the Bardo
Lincoln in the Bardo
George Saunders | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story flows very well (0 more)
Unusual writing style which was hard to get into (0 more)
This book was sent to me as a Christmas present by my brother. When i first started reading it, it took.me two attempts to read the first chapter to find my flow with the writing style, as it wasn't written like any book I had ever read before. It is written more like a play or a collection of thoughts by various speakers. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found it is the type of book you keep going back to. The story flows very well and at time it is so descriptive you feel the anguish Mr Lincoln must have been feeling at the time of losing his son.
  
Oliver and the Seawigs
Oliver and the Seawigs
Sarah McIntyre, Philip Reeve | 2014 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oliver's parents are retiring from exploring, and Oliver is looking forward to living a life in one location and making friends. However, they haven't even spent one night in their new home when his parents set off to explore some islands before they and the islands disappear.

This is a transitional book from easy readers to chapter books, and it's a lot of fun. The illustrations are great, the story is fast moving, and the characters are fun and creative. In other words, it's perfect for the target 2-5 grade audience.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-oliver-and-seawigs-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.