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Furyborn: Empirium Trilogy Book 1
Furyborn: Empirium Trilogy Book 1
Claire Legrand | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'd seen several glowing reviews of this book, but I was always put off by descriptions of events that happened millennia apart from each other "intersecting" and affecting each other. Like, no. The past can affect the future, but the future can't change the past. That appears, however, to just be a problem in the synopsis of the book and not the book itself. At least in this, the opening volume of the trilogy, the future does not change the past. The book alternates between the two women, Rielle in the past and Eliana in the future. Each chapter flips back and forth. I was much more intrigued by Rielle's chapters, but that could be because there was a lot more magic in Rielle's time.

The magic system is really interesting! I love that through Rielle's trials we learn so much about the magic system, each school and guiding saint and prayers. It's really fleshed out and I enjoyed that.

The "shocking connections" aren't shocking, they're predictable. But the book was no less fantastic for it. I really think the synopsis is where the problems lie. The first couple chapters pretty much reveal all the surprises the description hints at, and the book details how we got to that point. (Mostly, anyway!) It was great, don't get me wrong, but the description of the book feels a little misleading.

The GLBT content in the book is only about two sentences, but it was a surprise and made me grin.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy to discover the rest of Rielle's story and what Eliana is going to do about it.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
  
Rocco and the Price of Lies
Rocco and the Price of Lies
Adrian Magson | 2020 | Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, this book follows Inspector Rocco in solving three murders of famous and powerful people, where forged paintings, theft and deceit are involved. I really liked multiple perspectives used in this novel, I like the ability to read the thoughts of not only the positive but negative characters as well. I liked Lucas Rocco as a lead character, I think he is an intelligent and good detective.

This book is set in France, and I really enjoyed reading about the French way of police work, it was quite new and refreshing for me. The beginning was a little slow for me, but later it picked up the pace, and all the turns and twists made this book more entertaining. Even though it is part of the series, I think this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, as a first-time reader, I was able to understand what was going on. I think the research for this novel was very well done, and I was able to learn a few new things as well.

I liked the writing style of this book, it was simple and easily understandable, but at the same time, I could feel the French atmosphere in every chapter. The chapters were pretty short, and this book didn’t leave me bored, the pages just flew by. I liked the ending of this book, I think it rounded the story well and left me satisfied with the outcome.

So, to conclude, it was a pleasant mystery book, filled with unique and amusing characters as well as a well-delivered plot. If you like French mystery books, I think you would enjoy this novel as well, if you are looking for something new (like I was), do give this book a go, and I hope you will like it as much as I did.
  
Ronaldo: Rudi's Birthday Extravaganza
Ronaldo: Rudi's Birthday Extravaganza
Maxine Sylvester | 2017 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What I liked best was that once again Ronaldo puts his friendship with Rudi first. (0 more)
What I did not like about this book was actually similar to my complaint about the previous book. This time there is entire chapter about Ronaldo breaking wind. (0 more)
Honest Review for Free Copy of Book
The book Ronaldo: Rudis Birthday Extravaganza by Maxine Sylvester followed perfectly in the footsteps of the previous book in the Ronaldo series. It comes right after Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher that I previously gave a 4 out of 4. This is another wonderful Ronaldo book although it was not quite what I expected from the title. For some reason, I was expecting the entire book to take place at Rudi's birthday party but that was not the case.

The book opens to Ronaldo looking at his options for Rudi's birthday present. Then Rudi's mother shows up asking Ronaldo for his help. Rudi needs to go the doctor for an injured hoof but he is afraid of needles and is refusing to go. Ronaldo agrees to go along so that he can support and comfort Rudi. On the way home Ronaldo ends up helping his favorite baker with her shopping bags. After learning that her hip is hurt Ronaldo offers to deliver her cakes to the bakery for her.

On the news Ronaldo lears of Vixen's Workshop and his parents agree to let him go. Rudi wants to go as well but can't because his father just lost his job. Ronaldo takes his earnings from the cake deliveries and tries to pay for Rudi to got to the Workshop himself, unfortunately there is no room. Little dose Ronaldo know Rudi's father got a job with the baker and also tried to get Rudi into the Workshop but was unable to do so as well. At his party Rudi got a wonderful suprise by meeting Vixen and discovering he was going to be able to go to the Workshop anyway.

What I liked best was that once again Ronaldo puts his friendship with Rudi first. He offers his own money that he worked hard for to ty to do something that meant a lot to his friend and that is not all he did Rudi. This book also teaches about honesty as well as the value of friendship. What I did not like about this book was actually similar to my complaint about the previous book. This time there is entire chapter about Ronaldo breaking wind. Again I do understand the usefulness of it in this book as a consequence of Ronaldo being greedy with suckers and cake. I just could do without it.

Target readers for this book is the exact same as the previous one. Elementary students, probably around second grade could handle this book without a problem. Chapters are short and words such as "apprentice" are explained within the story for readers who might not be familiar with them. I rate this book 4 out of 4. It is a great children's book with a wonderful story line. There are even a few nice surprises along the way. I look forward to my own children being old enough to enjoy the Ronaldo books.

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Yep, I finished this book already. I was only going to read a littler bit, but then couldn't stop. Until I had to when I suddenly realized someone had put anchors on my eyelids when I hadn't noticed. I only had two or three chapters left, so that was a total buzzkill. Even though the first chapter had me giggling like a loon (do loons giggle?), it's not all laughs in Hyperbole and a Half, but has some truths about depression and self. I never caught Allie Brosh's blog when she was updating it, but I'll definitely be checking it out now.
  
AB
A Beautiful Mess (Beautiful Mess, #1)
T.K. Leigh | 2013
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a bit slow in the beginning chapters but from around chapter 3, i was hooked. there are a lot of different parts to this story, a love story combined with conspiracy, mystery and suspense. the story contains lots of twists and turns and definitely will keep you hooked. the characters were very easy to connect with and you were able to feel all there emotions. the secondary characters also play important roles within the book which only adds to the story. would definitely recommend but remember to have all the books in the set first.
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Brad and his wife Ashleigh are enjoying his retirement by indulging their hobby of teddy bear collecting and creating. But then Brad finds a body on their property and a local show featuring a rare bear is robbed. Will this ex-cop be able to figure out what is happening? I loved this debut. The characters were great, there was some good humor, and the mystery was well plotted. The only issue was that the first chapter was a data dump.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-mournful-teddy-by-john-j.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
MI
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Trixie and her friends get to spend Christmas in Arizona and Di's uncle's dude ranch. Well, maybe. When they arrive, they learn that most of the staff has left. Can Trixie figure out why? And what is bothering three of the guests? This isn't a typical mystery, but I still like it anyway. The characters are strong and there are mysterious things going on. The only flaw in my mind is the travelogue chapter that lectures us on Arizona.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-mystery-in-arizona-by-julie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The struggle for Centauri Prime begins as Emperor Londo accepts his fate. Or does he? And how much can he do against his new masters when they know every thought he thinks? The characters are strong and just like their TV personas. And since this is one chapter I wish we'd gotten more of from the final season, I loved it. It does change a little of the timeline from that final season, but it is a minor issue.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-babylon-5-long-night-of.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Michael Chabon | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
8
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed the story and characters a lot. One thing that bothered me though was every chapter has at least 2-3 lists and after I noticed the pattern it started to annoy me. He'd have this long list of something, for example a list of sounds but it ends up being like a page long, then it leads into another list of what the sounds actually are. I'm probably not explaining myself right and might put an example in later. But the book would probably be half the length without all these lists and embedded sentences.