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Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated Perfected (Perfected, #1) in Books
May 16, 2018
Fantastic read. Well written witha great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Perfected is about human pets, first we meet number eight, a young female that has been genetically bred at a "kennel." These pets are bred to be the perfect companion for any family that can afford the hefty cost of one. Once eight gets bought, her masters decide to call her Ella. She’s been taught from birth not to read and write, how to sit quietly, how to pay attention when one of her masters speak, to be a living doll for their daughters, basically to do whatever her masters wish. Ella believed that pets were important, but little did she know that once at her new home of a distinguished congressman that she truly was little more than an actual pet. Ella's role in her new master’s home is starting to feel really wrong. The little touches of the congressman’s hand on her cheek and shoulder is starting to give her the worst feeling. The one feeling that does make her heart swell is her friendship with congressman’s son, Penn. He makes her skin tingle, her pulse kicks up in happiness, but it’s a short lived feeling as Ella realizes everything with her situation. In order to truly feel, she must first be free. I really enjoyed this read, I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
ClareR (5950 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Apr 7, 2018
Good family movie
I’ll be honest, I haven’t read the book yet (well, I’ve read the first five chapters, so I don’t think that counts). I took my two sons and husband to watch this, knowing my eldest (13 year old) loves computer games in all their many forms, my youngest isn’t far behind, and my husband, like me, is a child of the 80s. So, something for everyone! My husband is probably the grumpiest cinema go-er you’ll ever meet. He resents paying to sit in a large room with other people, when he could just wait for it to come out online/ on dvd and watch it in the comfort of his own home with a cup of tea! But what do you know? Every time I looked round to see his reaction, he was smiling (unheard of!!)! My eldest son kept pointing out all of the game characters, and my youngest was just mesmerised (there was a particularly scary part that I was a little concerned about, but we had no nightmares last night, so all is well!).
Oh, and I really enjoyed it too. A great, but different rags to riches story, something that points out that friendship and working together is important. And it was just exciting and fun. What more do you need?
I’ll go and finish the book now. I’ve decided that the way to get around the disappointment of a film made from a book, is just to think of them as two entirely different entities. We’ll see.
Oh, and I really enjoyed it too. A great, but different rags to riches story, something that points out that friendship and working together is important. And it was just exciting and fun. What more do you need?
I’ll go and finish the book now. I’ve decided that the way to get around the disappointment of a film made from a book, is just to think of them as two entirely different entities. We’ll see.
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books
Feb 2, 2019
Great Start to the series
It can be somewhat on parallel with Hunger Games except on a fantasy setting and sans the dystopia. Celaena is quite the character to like. She’s witty, smart, she’s got the talk and has the walk to prove it, she’s everything you like in a strong female character and more. I love her sass and overall personality.
The plot itself was good and engaging to read. There’s a mix of everything. Mystery, intrigue, action, and romance. I’d have to say it’s a little bit too much of a mix. I was really more into reading about the competition and Celaena’s skills. The mystery aspect did not really capture my attention and didn’t think it was very exciting. Sure, it did keep you guessing but it wasn’t filled with any twists and turns one might expect in a mystery. The romance was all right although I also didn’t think a love triangle was necessary in this one. (It was pretty hard to choose which one of the two were better. They both had their qualities that made them likable so I’m going to sit on the fence and be neutral on this)
I also enjoyed reading into Celaena’s and Nehemia’s friendship. I rather liked the bond they shared and Nehemia can hold her own as well so I liked how the two of them shared some common ground.
The ending was excellent and I’m going to be reading the rest of this. I hear it gets better! So I’m looking forward to getting the second.
The plot itself was good and engaging to read. There’s a mix of everything. Mystery, intrigue, action, and romance. I’d have to say it’s a little bit too much of a mix. I was really more into reading about the competition and Celaena’s skills. The mystery aspect did not really capture my attention and didn’t think it was very exciting. Sure, it did keep you guessing but it wasn’t filled with any twists and turns one might expect in a mystery. The romance was all right although I also didn’t think a love triangle was necessary in this one. (It was pretty hard to choose which one of the two were better. They both had their qualities that made them likable so I’m going to sit on the fence and be neutral on this)
I also enjoyed reading into Celaena’s and Nehemia’s friendship. I rather liked the bond they shared and Nehemia can hold her own as well so I liked how the two of them shared some common ground.
The ending was excellent and I’m going to be reading the rest of this. I hear it gets better! So I’m looking forward to getting the second.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated A Seat by the Hearth in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Another hit! I can't sing the praises high enough. Mrs. Clipston has brought us Mark's story. I've been waiting patiently (or, those that TRULY know me, know it's not all that patient!) to see what Amy Clipston had in store for Mark and Priscilla. Let me tell you this: she truly had a wonderful story for them. They were absolutely perfect in every way for this moving, heartfelt, gripping addition to the Amish Homestead series.
Mark and Priscilla had to endure an "arranged" marriage but they didn't let that stop them from making the best of it, and learning about one another. Their pasts catch up to them, they learn a lot about what it means to wholly accept oneself, and they learn that there will always be a seat by the hearth for each other to continue their journey in life as not just friends, but as an actual couple.
This book is filled with ups, downs, hope and understanding. Amy Clipston's trademark messages of acceptance and love are woven perfectly through out this incredible journey. God is definitely working on Mark and Priscilla within these pages and I won't soon forget them! They are on my keeper shelf to stay. Mark's play boy ways, and Priscilla's uneasiness are over come by the true love of friendship. Definitely a 5 star worthy novel in this reader's honest opinion! I can't wait for another beautifully chiseled novel from this talented author!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Mark and Priscilla had to endure an "arranged" marriage but they didn't let that stop them from making the best of it, and learning about one another. Their pasts catch up to them, they learn a lot about what it means to wholly accept oneself, and they learn that there will always be a seat by the hearth for each other to continue their journey in life as not just friends, but as an actual couple.
This book is filled with ups, downs, hope and understanding. Amy Clipston's trademark messages of acceptance and love are woven perfectly through out this incredible journey. God is definitely working on Mark and Priscilla within these pages and I won't soon forget them! They are on my keeper shelf to stay. Mark's play boy ways, and Priscilla's uneasiness are over come by the true love of friendship. Definitely a 5 star worthy novel in this reader's honest opinion! I can't wait for another beautifully chiseled novel from this talented author!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Second Wife in Books
Mar 6, 2019
This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
In the psychological suspense novel, The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne, Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends. They moved away from each other but stayed in touch as many of us do today - by text and email. They, however, unlike most of us, remain close.
Rebecca receives news from Nicole's devoted and loving husband, Richard, letting her know Nicole is dead. She killed herself by drowning. Rebecca is shocked and tries to understand why Nicole would do such a thing. She moves into Nicole's home and gradually takes over Nicole's life.
Sheryl Browne takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with a story filled with love, marriage, family, secrets, betrayal, lies, deceit, intrigue, twists and turns, but, most importantly, friendship. Rebecca is determined to find out how her friend that was so full of life could commit suicide.
The story is told from multiple points of view and uses flashbacks to help the reader better understand the characters and their actions. This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
This is the fist book by Sheryl Browne I have read but it will not be the last.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/6/19.
In the psychological suspense novel, The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne, Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends. They moved away from each other but stayed in touch as many of us do today - by text and email. They, however, unlike most of us, remain close.
Rebecca receives news from Nicole's devoted and loving husband, Richard, letting her know Nicole is dead. She killed herself by drowning. Rebecca is shocked and tries to understand why Nicole would do such a thing. She moves into Nicole's home and gradually takes over Nicole's life.
Sheryl Browne takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with a story filled with love, marriage, family, secrets, betrayal, lies, deceit, intrigue, twists and turns, but, most importantly, friendship. Rebecca is determined to find out how her friend that was so full of life could commit suicide.
The story is told from multiple points of view and uses flashbacks to help the reader better understand the characters and their actions. This cleverly, well-written novel is a fast read because you will not want to put it down.
This is the fist book by Sheryl Browne I have read but it will not be the last.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/6/19.
Sam (74 KP) rated Three Things About Elsie in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I had been on the edge of buying this for ages, picking it up in bookshops and then putting it back down again because I was unsure how I would feel about it as I don’t read mysteries. But then I found a signed copy in Waterstones and felt that I just had to treat myself.
I was a bit dubious when I first picked it up. The novel sets off to quite a slow start, opening on Florence waiting for help after having a fall. The novel follows Florence telling the stories of what happened leading up to her fall.
A man arrives at the care home who looks a lot like a man from Florence and Elsie’s past, and not from a good part of their past either. He’s dangerous and mysterious, and there’s something that Florence isn’t saying when it comes to him.
Three Things About Elsie is the book to be reading. If the Battenburg cover isn’t enough to draw you in – I had to get Battenburg because of this – then I don’t know what is. Florence is such a sweet old woman and it’s quite surprising from the start with just how many secrets she seems to have. It’s full of surprises and twists, some so shocking that you just don’t know what to believe anymore.
As someone who doesn’t love mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Even though it is a mystery, it reads more like literary fiction and is a nice read. I found myself wishing I had a friendship like Elsie and Florence’s.
I was a bit dubious when I first picked it up. The novel sets off to quite a slow start, opening on Florence waiting for help after having a fall. The novel follows Florence telling the stories of what happened leading up to her fall.
A man arrives at the care home who looks a lot like a man from Florence and Elsie’s past, and not from a good part of their past either. He’s dangerous and mysterious, and there’s something that Florence isn’t saying when it comes to him.
Three Things About Elsie is the book to be reading. If the Battenburg cover isn’t enough to draw you in – I had to get Battenburg because of this – then I don’t know what is. Florence is such a sweet old woman and it’s quite surprising from the start with just how many secrets she seems to have. It’s full of surprises and twists, some so shocking that you just don’t know what to believe anymore.
As someone who doesn’t love mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Even though it is a mystery, it reads more like literary fiction and is a nice read. I found myself wishing I had a friendship like Elsie and Florence’s.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) in Books
Feb 19, 2018
Shadow and Bone is a quasi-Russian-themed fantasy, from the landscape and building design, the ranks of both the soldiers and the Grisha, right down to the character and place names. This similarity to something slightly familiar had the effect of making the whole world, and the magic contained within it, even more believable to me. I love when I am able to become so completely immersed in a fictional world that I can almost forget it isn’t real.
I liked Alina from her first appearance as a young orphan. She’s smart and wily, and it seems like she is the one instigating if she and her friend Mal end up in trouble. She’s neither whiny, nor arrogant and entitled like she could have been growing up an orphan in a Duke’s home. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she grows into a young woman willing to accept the life that she’s been given, never thinking of herself as anything particularly special. She isn’t perfect; she can be naive, but then learns from her mistakes.
I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about this book going in. I was attracted to the cover (which I kept seeing everywhere), so when Barnes and Noble had the Nook book on sale, I decided I’d finally check it out. What I found was a tale of friendship, betrayal, love, and adventure. I wasn’t disappointed, and if you are a fan of Young Adult, Fantasy, or are just looking for a unique adventure, I don’t think you will be either.
I liked Alina from her first appearance as a young orphan. She’s smart and wily, and it seems like she is the one instigating if she and her friend Mal end up in trouble. She’s neither whiny, nor arrogant and entitled like she could have been growing up an orphan in a Duke’s home. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she grows into a young woman willing to accept the life that she’s been given, never thinking of herself as anything particularly special. She isn’t perfect; she can be naive, but then learns from her mistakes.
I have to admit that I knew almost nothing about this book going in. I was attracted to the cover (which I kept seeing everywhere), so when Barnes and Noble had the Nook book on sale, I decided I’d finally check it out. What I found was a tale of friendship, betrayal, love, and adventure. I wasn’t disappointed, and if you are a fan of Young Adult, Fantasy, or are just looking for a unique adventure, I don’t think you will be either.
An intriguing retelling.
A modern reimagining of Shakespeare's Othello, this sees a Ghanaian diplomats son, Osei, on his first day at a new school in an American suburb of Washington DC in the 1970's. Dee quickly befriends him, and Ian decides that he doesn't like this. He decides to undermine this friendship and dispose of O. Yes, racism comes in to play here. Both the learnt racism of the children (from their parents), and that of the teachers.
This is all squeezed in to a very Shakespearian time frame of a day: we all know that in a Shakespearian play, people fall in and out of love, get marries and murder one another within 24 hours. For this reason, I can forgive the more mature behaviour and plotting of the 11 year old children. It seems unlikely to me as a mother of an 11 year old, that real 11 year olds would necessarily behave in this way; but this is literature and an author can bend their story and their characters to however they want them to behave. The changeability of the children's affections ARE more realistic, however.
I think this would probably be a great book for students to read at school before they access the original Othello. It would have made a great 'compare and contrast' exercise for me when I studied Othello (many years ago!).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and the ending is a real 'heart in mouth' moment!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for my copy of this book.
This is all squeezed in to a very Shakespearian time frame of a day: we all know that in a Shakespearian play, people fall in and out of love, get marries and murder one another within 24 hours. For this reason, I can forgive the more mature behaviour and plotting of the 11 year old children. It seems unlikely to me as a mother of an 11 year old, that real 11 year olds would necessarily behave in this way; but this is literature and an author can bend their story and their characters to however they want them to behave. The changeability of the children's affections ARE more realistic, however.
I think this would probably be a great book for students to read at school before they access the original Othello. It would have made a great 'compare and contrast' exercise for me when I studied Othello (many years ago!).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and the ending is a real 'heart in mouth' moment!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth for my copy of this book.
Michelle Boyea (9 KP) rated The Maze Runner in Books
Dec 30, 2018
I originally read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed it. This time around, I decided to try it as an audiobook which I definitely enjoyed!
While I vaguely remembered what happened in the book, it was more of vague feelings rather than real recollections. While listening to the book, I found myself remembering events as they happened, but I was happy to find that I could not remember what happened next beyond a few exceptions. I enjoyed hearing it again as if it was almost new.
The characters are easily relatable and I found myself very much enjoying the interactions between all the characters, but especially Thomas and Minho. I enjoyed listening to Thomas grow into who he truly is as a person despite adversity from a couple of the boys. I very much liked hearing Chuck mature and become braver as a result of his friendship with Thomas.
The only character that I did not enjoy hearing was Teresa even though I remember enjoying her the last time I read this book. I enjoyed the interactions between the boys better when they did not involve her.
As the ending of the book came closer and closer, I found myself not recollecting the story line. Once they exited the maze, I didn't remember anything. I am excited to listen to book 2 as though I'm hearing/reading it for the first time.
Mark Deakins was very enjoyable to listen to and I hope he is the narrator for book 2 as well.
While I vaguely remembered what happened in the book, it was more of vague feelings rather than real recollections. While listening to the book, I found myself remembering events as they happened, but I was happy to find that I could not remember what happened next beyond a few exceptions. I enjoyed hearing it again as if it was almost new.
The characters are easily relatable and I found myself very much enjoying the interactions between all the characters, but especially Thomas and Minho. I enjoyed listening to Thomas grow into who he truly is as a person despite adversity from a couple of the boys. I very much liked hearing Chuck mature and become braver as a result of his friendship with Thomas.
The only character that I did not enjoy hearing was Teresa even though I remember enjoying her the last time I read this book. I enjoyed the interactions between the boys better when they did not involve her.
As the ending of the book came closer and closer, I found myself not recollecting the story line. Once they exited the maze, I didn't remember anything. I am excited to listen to book 2 as though I'm hearing/reading it for the first time.
Mark Deakins was very enjoyable to listen to and I hope he is the narrator for book 2 as well.
Merissa (13176 KP) rated White Water (Ryder Bay #5) in Books
Jul 22, 2019
White Water (Ryder Bay #5) by Jordan Ford
White Water is the epilogue finale novella in the Ryder Bay series, and my word, do we go out with a bang!
In this book, you catch up with all the main couples from the previous books. It is Spring Break, and things aren't going according to plan. Life is changing for our young couples, and they are left feeling very uncertain about what their future holds. Some have to decide about college, some have more personal decisions to make. Whichever, it makes for a gripping book.
Don't just enjoy what is written in the main part of the book though. Once you reach the end, carry on reading, and you will find further snippets, just to give you that final fulfilment, on how Ms Ford sees their futures going. It was perfect. I loved all of them, plus hearing about the plans for the new series.
If I had one 'bad' thing to say (and it's not really bad, just my personal opinion), I would have loved to have known if Hayes and Jace continued their friendship as they matured. In fact, I'd just love more of Hayes, please!
If you've read the main four books in this series, then why deny yourself the cherry on the icing on the cake, which is this epilogue novella? Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
In this book, you catch up with all the main couples from the previous books. It is Spring Break, and things aren't going according to plan. Life is changing for our young couples, and they are left feeling very uncertain about what their future holds. Some have to decide about college, some have more personal decisions to make. Whichever, it makes for a gripping book.
Don't just enjoy what is written in the main part of the book though. Once you reach the end, carry on reading, and you will find further snippets, just to give you that final fulfilment, on how Ms Ford sees their futures going. It was perfect. I loved all of them, plus hearing about the plans for the new series.
If I had one 'bad' thing to say (and it's not really bad, just my personal opinion), I would have loved to have known if Hayes and Jace continued their friendship as they matured. In fact, I'd just love more of Hayes, please!
If you've read the main four books in this series, then why deny yourself the cherry on the icing on the cake, which is this epilogue novella? Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!