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Debbiereadsbook (1718 KP) rated Benoit (Owatonna U #3) in Books
Jun 6, 2019
my fav of the three!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Owatonna U Hockey series. It’s not totally necessary for you to have read books one, Ryker, and two, Scott, before this one, but personally I would recommend you do. It will give you a better picture of this group of hockey players and how they relate to each other. I didn’t much care for Ryker, but Scott was a much better read and this one is my favourite of the three!
Benoit hit Senior year, and his focus is on his hockey. Study and hockey. He is absolutely not allowed to get involved with a certain volunteer coach who is hobbling around on crutches. Ethan knows he won’t play professionally again, since he broke his leg on his 32nd birthday but helping the next generations of players might keep him happy. A certain goalie is not on his agenda. But after a scorching hot kiss, Ethan wants more, but Benoit is not playing.
This one, by far, is my favourite of the three. Maybe it was Benoit, or Ethan or the pairing of the two, or maybe it had been brewing up to this one, I dunno, but I loved this one!
Benoit and Ethan have instant and powerful attraction, and they try hard to ignore it, they really do. But some things are just meant to be, even if there is a big age gap. Everyone is concerned about that gap, but Ethan and Benoit are not.
There are some difficult topics dealt with here: racism and homophobia. Difficult reading for someone who has not experienced either, but I got way into Benoit’s heart when he deals with the aftermath of that.
Because of the above, it does make some points quite emotional and you wanna cry for Benoit, but equally, it has some lighter moments and lots of the steamy moments!
It is again written from both Ethan and Benoit’s point of view, in the first person. Each voice is clearly defined, coming from very different backgrounds, and they are easily identifiable if you leave off during a chapter. Each change occurs as the chapter changes. I saw no spelling or editing that would spoil anyone’s reading experience.
I loved that Ryker, Jacob, Hayne and Scott all take part, as well as Tens are Mads. I still wanna read their story!
Are there more? I hope so. Really loving this series.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 3 in the Owatonna U Hockey series. It’s not totally necessary for you to have read books one, Ryker, and two, Scott, before this one, but personally I would recommend you do. It will give you a better picture of this group of hockey players and how they relate to each other. I didn’t much care for Ryker, but Scott was a much better read and this one is my favourite of the three!
Benoit hit Senior year, and his focus is on his hockey. Study and hockey. He is absolutely not allowed to get involved with a certain volunteer coach who is hobbling around on crutches. Ethan knows he won’t play professionally again, since he broke his leg on his 32nd birthday but helping the next generations of players might keep him happy. A certain goalie is not on his agenda. But after a scorching hot kiss, Ethan wants more, but Benoit is not playing.
This one, by far, is my favourite of the three. Maybe it was Benoit, or Ethan or the pairing of the two, or maybe it had been brewing up to this one, I dunno, but I loved this one!
Benoit and Ethan have instant and powerful attraction, and they try hard to ignore it, they really do. But some things are just meant to be, even if there is a big age gap. Everyone is concerned about that gap, but Ethan and Benoit are not.
There are some difficult topics dealt with here: racism and homophobia. Difficult reading for someone who has not experienced either, but I got way into Benoit’s heart when he deals with the aftermath of that.
Because of the above, it does make some points quite emotional and you wanna cry for Benoit, but equally, it has some lighter moments and lots of the steamy moments!
It is again written from both Ethan and Benoit’s point of view, in the first person. Each voice is clearly defined, coming from very different backgrounds, and they are easily identifiable if you leave off during a chapter. Each change occurs as the chapter changes. I saw no spelling or editing that would spoil anyone’s reading experience.
I loved that Ryker, Jacob, Hayne and Scott all take part, as well as Tens are Mads. I still wanna read their story!
Are there more? I hope so. Really loving this series.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Raven King in Books
Feb 1, 2018
The fourth and final book in Stiefvater's "Raven Cycle" series picks up shortly after the third. Obviously, if you haven't read the three previous books, you should, and you shouldn't continue reading this review, as there will be spoilers. Gansey, of course, is still after the elusive Glendower, a buried king whom he believes will change his life. Blue, daughter of a psychic, is not-psychic, but still an amplifier of those who are, and still destined to kill her true love upon their first kiss. The pair--now in love--are joined by their usual gang: Ronan Lynch, dreamer of all things magical; Adam, a survivor, who is tied to the magical forest of Cabeswater in mysterious ways; Noah, who is dead; Maura, Blue's mother; and many more. In fact, we gain several more characters in this final installment, namely far more involvement from fellow Aglionby Academy student, Henry. Together, this group is focusing on the frenzied search to find Gansey's beloved king.
I'm not really even sure what I can say about this book. This whole series is amazing and crazy. I need to re-read all four books at some point, now that all are released. This novel actually started out a bit slow for me. It was, as weird as it sounds, almost a bit too fantastical, filled with almost too bizarre magic and plot. However, as things continued to unfold, pieces fell into place, and I was consumed by the story and its characters, per usual. Overall, I found this a fitting end to a beloved series. I will insert a caveat that it doesn't tie up loose ends for some of the ancillary characters and some pieces may leave you a bit befuddled. But some of the magic of these books is that everything doesn't make sense to the characters, so I give it a pass when it doesn't all make sense to us as well. I'd recommend the series-- it's an amazing trip to another world, and I certainly have grown to love the characters. I'll miss them!
I'm not really even sure what I can say about this book. This whole series is amazing and crazy. I need to re-read all four books at some point, now that all are released. This novel actually started out a bit slow for me. It was, as weird as it sounds, almost a bit too fantastical, filled with almost too bizarre magic and plot. However, as things continued to unfold, pieces fell into place, and I was consumed by the story and its characters, per usual. Overall, I found this a fitting end to a beloved series. I will insert a caveat that it doesn't tie up loose ends for some of the ancillary characters and some pieces may leave you a bit befuddled. But some of the magic of these books is that everything doesn't make sense to the characters, so I give it a pass when it doesn't all make sense to us as well. I'd recommend the series-- it's an amazing trip to another world, and I certainly have grown to love the characters. I'll miss them!
Lindsay (1807 KP) rated Callie (The Bayou Hauntings #1) in Books
Nov 15, 2021
Callie is a good Halloween ghost storybook. If you are looking for ghosts and some secrets, this book by Bill Thompson is a good one. It is the first one in the series of “The Bayou Hauntings.” It all starts once a granddaughter comes for the reading of a will? This book is good, but it rates it 4.5 stars or Moons as it is not that ghostly.
What did Callie end up getting from her grandfather? What does her Uncle Willard want that he keeps trying to keep Callie leaving? Do we meet a little girl that comes and goes at her own will? Who could that be?
I feel this story is slow-moving and not all that ghostly until a little girl shows up, and it is stormy, making it more horror. It is mild in horror when the girl comes and goes. Callie seems confused with the riddles. I was not all scared of this ghost with the puzzles. It seems to be my mystery and secret, revealing more towards the end other than through most of the book.
Callie’s friend Mark seems more convincing and seems to have a plan, but we do not know until the little girl and Mark start making mistakes. Callie seems to catch on. Are Willard and Mark working together to get rid of Callie?
What did Callie end up getting from her grandfather? What does her Uncle Willard want that he keeps trying to keep Callie leaving? Do we meet a little girl that comes and goes at her own will? Who could that be?
I feel this story is slow-moving and not all that ghostly until a little girl shows up, and it is stormy, making it more horror. It is mild in horror when the girl comes and goes. Callie seems confused with the riddles. I was not all scared of this ghost with the puzzles. It seems to be my mystery and secret, revealing more towards the end other than through most of the book.
Callie’s friend Mark seems more convincing and seems to have a plan, but we do not know until the little girl and Mark start making mistakes. Callie seems to catch on. Are Willard and Mark working together to get rid of Callie?
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Human Again: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (End of Ever After #4) in Books
Feb 27, 2020
Human Again is the fourth book in the End of Ever After series of fairy tale retellings. This one is told from the Beast's perspective and is in past tense, almost as if he reminisces about his past.
This is also the hardest review of the four books I've yet had to write! Why? Because there are so many parts of this that I loved and yet other parts just didn't tick the boxes for me. The 'Beast' himself? I loved him. You got an in-depth view on his childhood and just what made him into a 'Beast'. For myself, it was never quite clear if he did indeed change into something else or if he just was a human man enraged.
I think it was his family that annoyed me more than anything. Yes, I know that's how you're supposed to feel but it was more along the lines of Amelia. She was old enough to understand how her father was with Azahr but was content to just go along and believe what she is told without actually finding out if it was true or not.
I'm very pleased this was told by Azahr. Too many times, this story is from Belle's, or Kiara as she is here, point of view.
This isn't my favourite of the series but I am certainly happy to have read it. I have no hesitation in recommending either this book or the series but I would recommend you read them in order. Although these are companion books, it will definitely make more sense that was.
* 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!
This is also the hardest review of the four books I've yet had to write! Why? Because there are so many parts of this that I loved and yet other parts just didn't tick the boxes for me. The 'Beast' himself? I loved him. You got an in-depth view on his childhood and just what made him into a 'Beast'. For myself, it was never quite clear if he did indeed change into something else or if he just was a human man enraged.
I think it was his family that annoyed me more than anything. Yes, I know that's how you're supposed to feel but it was more along the lines of Amelia. She was old enough to understand how her father was with Azahr but was content to just go along and believe what she is told without actually finding out if it was true or not.
I'm very pleased this was told by Azahr. Too many times, this story is from Belle's, or Kiara as she is here, point of view.
This isn't my favourite of the series but I am certainly happy to have read it. I have no hesitation in recommending either this book or the series but I would recommend you read them in order. Although these are companion books, it will definitely make more sense that was.
* 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!
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Legacy of Pemberley (The Pemberley Chronicles, #10) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The Legacy of of Pemberley is the 10th book in Rebecca Ann Collins' Pride & Prejudice sequel series. Each book is substantial, at around 300+ pages long, so this in itself if quite an achievement! The books span about 50 years from the conclusion of Austen's novel and as well as the characters we know and love, we have been introduced to whole generations of new and interesting characters. With such a large cast, it's all credit to Ms Collins that she seems to know at all times what she's doing and where she's going with them!
Of course, it's not all about the length of the series and the number of characters, but each book has been beautifully written and none of it ever seems tedious or repetitive. There is sadness as well as much happiness in the pages of these books and particularly in reading this last volume as you know there is no planned sequel! Some threads are wrapped up, but there is still the potential for more. That, after 10 books in this series, I still find myself hungry for more about these characters is a great testament to what Ms Collins has achieved. I'm sure if she does ever choose to come back to these characters there will be many ready to hang on her every word!
Pride & Prejudice has probably inspired more sequels and retellings than any other novel ever; some of them are good, some of them toe-curlingly awful and some pretty medicocre, but this series if definitely worth reading.
Of course, it's not all about the length of the series and the number of characters, but each book has been beautifully written and none of it ever seems tedious or repetitive. There is sadness as well as much happiness in the pages of these books and particularly in reading this last volume as you know there is no planned sequel! Some threads are wrapped up, but there is still the potential for more. That, after 10 books in this series, I still find myself hungry for more about these characters is a great testament to what Ms Collins has achieved. I'm sure if she does ever choose to come back to these characters there will be many ready to hang on her every word!
Pride & Prejudice has probably inspired more sequels and retellings than any other novel ever; some of them are good, some of them toe-curlingly awful and some pretty medicocre, but this series if definitely worth reading.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Soul Raging (The Book of the Wars #3) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Soul Raging by Ronie Kendig was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020, and it did not disappoint. It is the third book in Ronie Kendig’s The Book of the Wars series. This book (really the series) CANNOT be read as standalone as it is highly intertwined with the previous book; I ended up rereading the last part of the previous book just to remember right where it left off.
It was a fast-paced, action-packed, hold on to your seat type of ending that was addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion and the growth of the characters by the end of the series. Leif and Iskra are a couple I would love to have on my side if the world fell down around me. They complement each other well and Ronie Kendig really made them feel like a realistic couple through the many challenges that they faced. I have nothing bad to say about the book, only that you really do need to read them in order or you will have no idea what is going on.
Soul Raging definitely lived up to what I have come to expect when I pick up a Ronie Kendig book; that it will be one I won't soon forget. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the phenomenal curves in this book, the charismatic characters, and for being a series that actually ends on a high note!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
It was a fast-paced, action-packed, hold on to your seat type of ending that was addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion and the growth of the characters by the end of the series. Leif and Iskra are a couple I would love to have on my side if the world fell down around me. They complement each other well and Ronie Kendig really made them feel like a realistic couple through the many challenges that they faced. I have nothing bad to say about the book, only that you really do need to read them in order or you will have no idea what is going on.
Soul Raging definitely lived up to what I have come to expect when I pick up a Ronie Kendig book; that it will be one I won't soon forget. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the phenomenal curves in this book, the charismatic characters, and for being a series that actually ends on a high note!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Amy Norman (1048 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books
Apr 1, 2020
I picked this up as a recommendation from my local library, and wasn't disappointed!
I have been lucky enough to pick up the follow up books one after the other, I think having to wait for the next parts would have been far too frustrating.
Holly weaves a fantastical world with perfectly imperfect characters, that you can't help but gravitate towards.
This was a great starter book but the next two in the series were even better.
If you enjoy fantasy lands that intersect with our own, combined with weird and wonderful creatures. Assassin's in training, and the beginnings of many schemes to go awry then this will be perfect for you.
There is also magic in this land but it is not showy, and doesn't become the be all and end all focus, as so many books with magic potential do, and often fall flat because of it.
There is great character development, and you will be torn over whether you should be rooting for 'heroes' or 'villains', and there is a lot of grey area around that.
Please do go and read this series, Holly is a fantastic writer and you can really feel the care and love she has put into building this world, you won't regret picking it up.
I have been lucky enough to pick up the follow up books one after the other, I think having to wait for the next parts would have been far too frustrating.
Holly weaves a fantastical world with perfectly imperfect characters, that you can't help but gravitate towards.
This was a great starter book but the next two in the series were even better.
If you enjoy fantasy lands that intersect with our own, combined with weird and wonderful creatures. Assassin's in training, and the beginnings of many schemes to go awry then this will be perfect for you.
There is also magic in this land but it is not showy, and doesn't become the be all and end all focus, as so many books with magic potential do, and often fall flat because of it.
There is great character development, and you will be torn over whether you should be rooting for 'heroes' or 'villains', and there is a lot of grey area around that.
Please do go and read this series, Holly is a fantastic writer and you can really feel the care and love she has put into building this world, you won't regret picking it up.
Merissa (13931 KP) rated Shifted Reality (Looking Glass Multiverse, #1) in Books
Nov 3, 2022
SHIFTED REALITY is the first book in the Looking Glass Multiverse series and it had everything here that I like - wolf shifters, authors, BDSM - but somehow, this just didn't work for me.
The first half of the book concentrated mainly on Iris and Rogan - so much so that I had to re-read the blurb to remind myself just who this was supposed to be about. Angelique and Rogan don't even meet until approximately 55-60% of the way through the book, and then they pretty much shoot straight for the stars. Who needs to get to know anyone anyway?
My overall feeling when I finished the book was "Is that it?" Although well-written, the parts with Angelique and Rogan felt incredibly rushed and left me with loads of questions that just weren't answered.
Although the blurb of book two sounds good, as well as the epilogue in this book, I don't think I'll bother. I'm sure others will love this book and the series but it's just not for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
The first half of the book concentrated mainly on Iris and Rogan - so much so that I had to re-read the blurb to remind myself just who this was supposed to be about. Angelique and Rogan don't even meet until approximately 55-60% of the way through the book, and then they pretty much shoot straight for the stars. Who needs to get to know anyone anyway?
My overall feeling when I finished the book was "Is that it?" Although well-written, the parts with Angelique and Rogan felt incredibly rushed and left me with loads of questions that just weren't answered.
Although the blurb of book two sounds good, as well as the epilogue in this book, I don't think I'll bother. I'm sure others will love this book and the series but it's just not for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!