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The Nightingale
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.9 (61 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had never heard of Kristin Hannah before, but will be looking for other books by her. Her writing is seamless and vivid and realistic. The Nightingale is a wonderful story of two sisters, far apart in body and mind, but still connected. They lose their mother and then experience the abandonment of their father. Both women are torn, but in their own way. The story takes place in France, in a small village until the women who realize they need something different, separate, with one sister in Paris and the other in the country, during WWII. The story is a bit dramatic, but I think it is fitting. Their feelings and emotions and experiences are so real and authentic. It is definitely an emotionally engaging read. Not only is the characters so vivid but it combines their story with an accuracy of the world history around them during that period and is interesting for people like myself, who are history buffs. Both women learn to live and learn to love. It is romantic and not just in a sexually intimate way. This story is complex, passionate, engaging and captivating and will make you think and feel along with them.
I received this book for free from SheSpeaks as part of the book club program, but the above review is based on my own opinions and thoughts.
  
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justmissash (21 KP) rated Victoria in Books

Aug 23, 2018  
Victoria
Victoria
Daisy Goodwin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
For every girl, like myself, who once wished to be a princess or queen someday, this book is wonderful.
It starts as Alexandrina is looking towards her 18th birthday. Not to celebrate it but hoping that the present king will live long enough so she can be queen. Her mother and mothers possible lover are scheming together. They call her Drina and she hates it. She loves and wishes to be called Victoria. Her uncle, the king, finally passes after she turns 18 and she is crowned Queen. The story follows her challenges, fears, and triumphs as closely and intimately as possible. The story is honest and heartwarming and inspiring. She rises with grace and class to lead her country for a long time and surpasses the expectations of her mother and those around her. I loved the story and just how it was written. I feel like I know her now and I feel connected because of her feelings and emotions. I have not been on the threshold of becoming a queen but I do know what it feels like when others think they know best or have I'll intentions and want to release you from the chance to prove your greatness.
I received this book for free from SheSpeaks, but the opinions here are my own.
  
The Krinar's Informant (A Krinar World Novel)
The Krinar's Informant (A Krinar World Novel)
Charmaine Pauls | 2018 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
love love LOVED this one!
I was gifted my copy of this book, direct from the author, that I write a review was my choice.

This is Ms Pauls second step into the Krinar world and I loved it!

Liv wants to make sure her brothers survive, makes a deal with Zavir to ensure they will not be harmed when he smashes the resistance ring they are part of. But little Liv makes Zavir want to keep her, and the only way to do that, is to betray her trust.

OoOOOEEEEE!!! I loved these two!!

Powerful, instant attraction. Powerful hatred of the other. enemies to lovers. Betrayal from some many around them. So much right up my street, I read the whole book in one sitting, and did not move til I finished!

It's sexy, it's dark, it's full of hope, and despair, the whole bloody gamut of human, and indeed, Krinar emotions all wrapped up in some 200 pages that is just bloody brilliant!!

Because it's a world written by different authors, you don't need to read them all in any order of order, I don't think. But what I'm left with now, is the overwhelming NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED for every single book in this world, and there are a fair few!!

I loved this book, did I say that yet??

so, it can only get...

5 stars
  
White Stag (Permafrost, #1)
White Stag (Permafrost, #1)
Kara Barbieri | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. "White Stag" introduces us to Janneke, a seventeen year old girl who is the youngest child in a family of all girls. She is raised to be the family's "male heir" and is raised as a tomboy who is taught to hunt and fight. When her village is invaded and burned down she is the only survivor. Taken captive by goblins, she must learn to live among them while struggling trying to keep hold of her humanity.

Pulled into a goblin war, Janneke must face beliefs she was taught as a child and try to fit them into her current reality. Are goblins merely monsters? Are they similar to humans? Can they feel emotions? Can they love? Can she love them? Can she love him?

While much of "White Stag" is predictable and follows the typical formula for YA books it is still entertaining and worth reading. There are a few surprises revealed along the way. Janneke is an interesting character who has to deal with growing up and falling in love with the enemy.

"White Stag" is the first novel in the Permafrost series by Kara Barbieri. No publication date is listed on Goodreads for the sequel, "Goblin King".
  
WO
Words on Bathroom Walls
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The premise of this story sounded amazing to me and I knew I had to read about these characters. I personally found it hard to relate to any of the characters. However, I don't think it really determined how well I liked the book. I thought the information was great, the story was great, the character progression was really well thought out. I loved the last 1/3 of the book. Walton was really on point with all the feels and the emotions. I would have 5 stared this book if she could have carried that emotion throughout the whole read. I didn't feel really invested in the characters until everything was about to fall apart.

The part of this book that held me back was that it was supposed to be written in journal entries to his therapist, but it didn't feel like journal entries to me. There was dialogue in the "journal entries". The entries were also too methodical and thought out for me. I was expecting more of a stream of consciousness kind of journal entry. I think this would have been just as effective if it was just a story from Adam's perspective.

This is definitely a different kind of book, and I'm very glad that I read it. I would recommend reading it if you're even just a little bit curious.
  
The Liar's Girl
The Liar's Girl
Catherine Ryan Howard | 2018 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Liar’s Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard is another one of the books that ended up on the backburner during my health issues lately. Yesterday, I picked it up with exactly half of it left and hungrily finished it. Needless to say, I truly enjoyed the book.

The main character, Alison Smith, is well-written. She has feelings and emotions like we all do, and they are portrayed in a manner that is realistic and believable. My heart ached with hers, and later on in the book I became genuinely worried for her. Unfortunately, she and her friend Liz are the only characters that felt that thorough–thus preventing me from giving this a five star rating.

As for the plot, it was consistent. There are several things that are given away early on in the book and because of that, I was worried about whether or not the book would hold my interest through until the end. Surprisingly, despite the amount that’s given away, Howard manages to continue to surprise the reader. Nothing went the way I expected it too and the twists and turns were refreshing.

The Liar’s Girl is a wonderful mystery book and definitely worth reading if whodunnits are your type of book. I’d like to thank Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
The Nightingale
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.9 (61 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had never heard of Kristin Hannah before, but will be looking for other books by her. Her writing is seamless and vivid and realistic. The Nightingale is a wonderful story of two sisters, far apart in body and mind, but still connected. They lose their mother and then experience the abandonment of their father. Both women are torn, but in their own way. The story takes place in France, in a small village until the women who realize they need something different, separate, with one sister in Paris and the other in the country, during WWII. The story is a bit dramatic, but I think it is fitting. Their feelings and emotions and experiences are so real and authentic. It is definitely an emotionally engaging read. Not only is the characters so vivid but it combines their story with an accuracy of the world history around them during that period and is interesting for people like myself, who are history buffs. Both women learn to live and learn to love. It is romantic and not just in a sexually intimate way. This story is complex, passionate, engaging and captivating and will make you think and feel along with them.
I received this book for free from SheSpeaks as part of the book club program, but the above review is based on my own opinions and thoughts.
  
40x40

justmissash (21 KP) rated Victoria in Books

Jun 23, 2019  
Victoria
Victoria
Daisy Goodwin | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
For every girl, like myself, who once wished to be a princess or queen someday, this book is wonderful.
It starts as Alexandrina is looking towards her 18th birthday. Not to celebrate it but hoping that the present king will live long enough so she can be queen. Her mother and mothers possible lover are scheming together. They call her Drina and she hates it. She loves and wishes to be called Victoria. Her uncle, the king, finally passes after she turns 18 and she is crowned Queen. The story follows her challenges, fears, and triumphs as closely and intimately as possible. The story is honest and heartwarming and inspiring. She rises with grace and class to lead her country for a long time and surpasses the expectations of her mother and those around her. I loved the story and just how it was written. I feel like I know her now and I feel connected because of her feelings and emotions. I have not been on the threshold of becoming a queen but I do know what it feels like when others think they know best or have I'll intentions and want to release you from the chance to prove your greatness.
I received this book for free from SheSpeaks, but the opinions here are my own.
  
Everything I Know About Love
Everything I Know About Love
Dolly Alderton | 2018 | Biography
9
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny and heartwarming
My friend sent me this book as a housewarming gift as something she thought I'd love, and she couldn't have been more right.

Dolly Alderton is a similar age to me, and whilst some of her life experiences have been a little more extreme and over the top than mine, I could see so much of my life, thoughts and emotions in this book. Never before have I read a non-fiction book that really gets me until now. Dolly has a nice uncomplicated writing style that's fun and easy to read, and the way she recounts her stories is often hilarious and very heartwarming. I liked how the book was structured and plotted for the most part, I especially loved the chapters entitled "Everything I Know About Love age", these were the most poignant and real to read and I was virtually in tears every time I read these, and especially so after reading the last chapter about thirty. There are some chapters and extracts in this book that are a little long winter or unnecessary, but apart from these this is such a fun heartwarmingly sweet book that is definitely worth a read, especially if you're feeling a little disillusioned about love. There are some truly wonderful (albeit a tad cheesy) messages in this that are really meaningful.
  
Bumblebee (2018)
Bumblebee (2018)
2018 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Everything (3 more)
Just as good if not better the more you watch it.
Amazing Graphics
The transformation scenes
BumbleBee
This film is a complete reboot, a revolution in the Transformer cinematic world. Wow, this is the start of something special. It has a formula that could be repeated time and time again with other Transformer's characters building up to an enormous film on the scale of Avengers. Wow would ever of thought that Transformers would be on par with Avengers.

The more you watch it, the better it gets.

It has everything you could want! Action, loss, struggle, conflict, evil, and bright-shining goodness that will leave a deep impression on your soul.

It displays a friendship that will rip your heart out! Honestly, I cried several times during the movie because the relationship between the girl and the Transformer was so touching. It was just SO touching and heart-warming that it will leave you feeling good all over!

The Decepticons were believably menacing–even evoking emotions similar to the Terminator movies. They were dangerous beings. But they weren't two-dimensional villains. They had personality, motive, and intelligence.

The action scenes were excellent! Bumblebee demonstrates the power of well-placed action in a well-paced storyline.

I just can't say enough! Well done!! See this movie several times! I'm telling you, you won't regret it.