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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Relativity in Books

Feb 8, 2018  
Relativity
Relativity
Antonia Hayes | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Twelve-year-old Ethan is a bright boy, who loves physics and science. His mom, Claire, loves him with a fierceness that she can barely fathom sometimes. It's just Ethan and Claire living happily together in Sydney. However, a sudden accident forces Claire to confront her past, especially what happened with Ethan's father, Mark. At the same time, Ethan must deal with his own emotions about his absent father.

Hayes' book is well-written, with strongly developed, complicated characters who jump off the page. It's a small cast of characters: Ethan, Mark, Claire, and a few others. I fell immediately for Ethan, who is lovable, sweet, and slightly nerdy. Claire and Mark are slightly more problematic. Mark especially is a very difficult character with whom it is hard to sympathize. Hayes does an excellent job of unfurling her plot in such a way that the reader is as perplexed as the characters. The storyline is tense and runs the gamut of emotions.

The book revolves a lot around science. While much of the storyline uses science and physics to its advantage--for instance, I found the idea of genetic memory fascinating--at times, I also found my eyes glazing over at the scientific passages. Sometimes the science overshadowed the actual plot. Still, overall this is a sharp, well-written novel with in-depth characters. A strong 3.5 stars.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 5/3/2016.
  
A multitude of wonderful voices
From Lebanon to Pakistan, there is a whole host of female Muslim voices in this wonderful pioneering collection.

Some of the stand out stories, essays and poems include a man reconnecting with art through a woman's eyes, to political stories about the apartheid state of Palestine, so-called "honour crimes", and the illegal war in Iraq. The writers involved are award-winning authors such as Kamila Shamsie, actors, and even a young 15 year old poet - all based in the UK.

It avoids stereotypes and instead advocates quite a humanist outlook on femininity - that a person is complex, with a full range of emotions rather than just the standard media portrayal. A wonderful plethora of diversity.
  
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Kimberly Pullen (1 KP) rated Brotherhood in Death in Books

Nov 8, 2017 (Updated Nov 8, 2017)  
Brotherhood in Death
Brotherhood in Death
J.D. Robb | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
The acction,the romance between the Eve and her hubby is just epic, the devotion that she has to her friends, her emotional journey in these book. (0 more)
Need more (0 more)
JD Robb
This book was great
I just love all the attention devoted to the characters in this book I just go away feeling conectded to them.
All the books in this series have captured my mind and my emotions.
The main character Eve is a hard cop from New York and likes being who she is now, her reluctant love for and loalty to the people in her life tuch you as you read her adventures.this book is very good at griping you and expanding your own loyalty to this series.
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated In an Instant in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
IA
In an Instant
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you ever read a book that completely captivates you? A book written in such a way that you feel like you are an integral part of the story line? This book did this for me and I LOVED reading it!! This story is full of friendships, love and overwhelming obstacles. I swear that I could feel the emotions that the characters felt and I laughed and cried throughout this story.

This author put her heart into this book and it shows in her writing. This witty and at times heartbreaking read will delight all of your senses and it teaches us the importance of perseverance. This book deserves, no, it has earned more than the five stars I can give it.
  
TI
The Institute (The Institute, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
[The Institute] by [Kayla Howarth] is an intense thriller with a futuristic lean. The main character Allira and her family have spent their lives hiding that her brother was "defective". "Defectives" go to the Institute where they are said to be kept safe and taken care of, but no one who has gone there is heard from again. Will one mistake trip them all up and find the true nature of the Institute?

The characters were typical for a YA audience but definitely good. The intertwining of the relationships and emotions makes this plot. There were some unexpected surprises as well as issues that are still up in the air. Guess the second book is a must read to clear those questions up.
  
<strong>3.5 stars</strong>

Bound by honor introduces us to Aria, daughter of a member in the Mafia. When the head of 2 rival mafia gangs come together to join forces, they agree that the only way would be marriage. Aria is to marry the next in line for Capo.

This book takes you on an roller coaster of emotions and I kept wanting to turn the page to find out more.

The only flaw, (and this is just my personal opinion because I don't like frail and petty lead women ) was in the beginning Aria frustrated me to no end with how weak she was. But the book progressed well and actually made sense to why they had her like that as her character developed more .