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Thou Shalt Not Kill: A Political and Theological Dialogue
Adriana Cavarero, Adam Sitze, Angelo Scola and Margaret Adams Groesbeck
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In this fascinating and rare little book, a leading Italian feminist philosopher and the Archbishop...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated In the Arms of the Elite (Rich Boys of Burberry Prep, #4) in Books
Jan 9, 2020
I know this series has some issues that people will struggle with. The bullying is pretty bad at times and some of the stuff these kids got up to when they were 15? I cringe remembering but this is the fourth and final book of the series so something about it has kept me hooked.
Marnye is entering her final year of Burberry Prep. She wants to graduate the top of her class and head off to her dream university, Bornstead. If the five boys she's torn between follow her there then that's a bonus for her. Her mission is to bring down the remaining Bluebloods and to stop bullying at the school and the Infinity Clubs influence. Nothing is ever easy, though. I'm also not going to go into any more detail as it will totally spoil the story for you.
I'll hold my hand up and say that the two Z's - Zach and Zayd have always been my favourites but we see a softer side to all of them in this and I truly - FINALLY! - believe that the boys care for her. Even Tristan, who's cold and stiff most of the time, had a really nice scene in this with Marnye and I actually softened a lot towards him. Creed is still the "look bored while totally caring" one but he did have a few cute scenes with Maryne, too. And then finally Windsor, the Prince. I'd liked him all along but I never quite understood his fascination with Marnye when he finally arrived at the school so he was never going to be top of my list. Above is probably my preferred order of the boys, which is a little strange BUT at the end of the book there's an Author's Note where she mentions being interested in doing an older series following this group as they head off to University as there little group of six and I have to say I am interested in that!
So, yeah. The series has grown on me a lot since that first one where when I started the second book it was all about Marnye getting her revenge on the Idols for the crap they'd pulled.
My rating is only a 3.5 for this as I do feel a bit like the ending wasn't entirely finished, though Harper du Pont did get what she deserved.
This is a little messed up initially but if you like bully romances and reverse harem books then you should totally give this a go and stick it out after the slightly cringe-worthy sex scenes and evil plots.
Marnye is entering her final year of Burberry Prep. She wants to graduate the top of her class and head off to her dream university, Bornstead. If the five boys she's torn between follow her there then that's a bonus for her. Her mission is to bring down the remaining Bluebloods and to stop bullying at the school and the Infinity Clubs influence. Nothing is ever easy, though. I'm also not going to go into any more detail as it will totally spoil the story for you.
I'll hold my hand up and say that the two Z's - Zach and Zayd have always been my favourites but we see a softer side to all of them in this and I truly - FINALLY! - believe that the boys care for her. Even Tristan, who's cold and stiff most of the time, had a really nice scene in this with Marnye and I actually softened a lot towards him. Creed is still the "look bored while totally caring" one but he did have a few cute scenes with Maryne, too. And then finally Windsor, the Prince. I'd liked him all along but I never quite understood his fascination with Marnye when he finally arrived at the school so he was never going to be top of my list. Above is probably my preferred order of the boys, which is a little strange BUT at the end of the book there's an Author's Note where she mentions being interested in doing an older series following this group as they head off to University as there little group of six and I have to say I am interested in that!
So, yeah. The series has grown on me a lot since that first one where when I started the second book it was all about Marnye getting her revenge on the Idols for the crap they'd pulled.
My rating is only a 3.5 for this as I do feel a bit like the ending wasn't entirely finished, though Harper du Pont did get what she deserved.
This is a little messed up initially but if you like bully romances and reverse harem books then you should totally give this a go and stick it out after the slightly cringe-worthy sex scenes and evil plots.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Murder at Cirey (Victor Constant Mysteries #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Upon finishing this novel, I definitely reiterate the idea that Victor Constant is the Jack Reacher of 18th-century France. His methods are a little unorthodox, but he gets the job done no matter what, and that's what really matters, right?
Well, of course not, because where would be the fun in that?
After all, this IS 18th-century France we're talking about, so playing by the rules, doing everything by the book, and bending to the whims and wishes of the aristocracy is all part of the game. But that's a game Victor doesn't have time for because there's a murderer on the loose!
Once Victor and Voltaire met, this book was set for me. I love the idea of having Voltaire involved in something like this, considering all we really know happened with him, and it was interesting to read his theories on the crime alongside that of Victor's.
I will definitely be checking out the next one in this series, as I think Victor Constant is a force to be reckoned with.
4.5 stars
Upon finishing this novel, I definitely reiterate the idea that Victor Constant is the Jack Reacher of 18th-century France. His methods are a little unorthodox, but he gets the job done no matter what, and that's what really matters, right?
Well, of course not, because where would be the fun in that?
After all, this IS 18th-century France we're talking about, so playing by the rules, doing everything by the book, and bending to the whims and wishes of the aristocracy is all part of the game. But that's a game Victor doesn't have time for because there's a murderer on the loose!
Once Victor and Voltaire met, this book was set for me. I love the idea of having Voltaire involved in something like this, considering all we really know happened with him, and it was interesting to read his theories on the crime alongside that of Victor's.
I will definitely be checking out the next one in this series, as I think Victor Constant is a force to be reckoned with.
4.5 stars
Deborah (162 KP) rated The River of No Return in Books
Dec 21, 2018
At nearly 600 pages, this isn't a short read (although the font is quite large.....) and although, after a slowish start, I did really get into the book, the ending left me feeling disappointed - not enough to give 4 starts this time. The right ingredients are all there, it's just that this is a pretty long book and at the end of it we got very little explanation or resolution of story threads. It was more like Part One of a larger novel than book one of a series because so little is resolved at the end of this, so it doesn't really work as a standalone novel.
My more usual reading matter tends towards historical fiction/mystery/romance, do maybe this was why I was happier once we were back in the Georgian period than in the modern, or maybe it just took a while to get going. We are nearly a third into the book before the big jump back in time takes place, so maybe it wasn't just a feeling. A lot of the stuff beforehand is trying to explain and set up the plot rather than just let it happen.
My more usual reading matter tends towards historical fiction/mystery/romance, do maybe this was why I was happier once we were back in the Georgian period than in the modern, or maybe it just took a while to get going. We are nearly a third into the book before the big jump back in time takes place, so maybe it wasn't just a feeling. A lot of the stuff beforehand is trying to explain and set up the plot rather than just let it happen.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Elite (Eagle Elite, #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
4.5 stars!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
OMG! I've just read the excerpt from the next in the series, Elect, and WHAT!?!?
I suppose I should explain this one before I get carried away wanting the second one, huh?
I loved this book! It's my first ever one by Rachel Van Dyken. though I have The Bet on my kindle, and I cant help wondering why I haven't read it yet!
I was quickly sucked into this story though I was a bit put off by Nixon's behaviour in the beginning but I have to admit by the end I was well on my way to being in love with him. But then we have Chase too. I generally urge the girl to go with the first guy but then that would make it Chase and not Nixon. Both are great guys so I have no idea what Trace is going to do in the second book and that excerpt! Jeez! Got me worrying a little.
As you can probably tell I loved this book; it drew me in and kept me guessing. Cant wait for the next one!
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
OMG! I've just read the excerpt from the next in the series, Elect, and WHAT!?!?
I suppose I should explain this one before I get carried away wanting the second one, huh?
I loved this book! It's my first ever one by Rachel Van Dyken. though I have The Bet on my kindle, and I cant help wondering why I haven't read it yet!
I was quickly sucked into this story though I was a bit put off by Nixon's behaviour in the beginning but I have to admit by the end I was well on my way to being in love with him. But then we have Chase too. I generally urge the girl to go with the first guy but then that would make it Chase and not Nixon. Both are great guys so I have no idea what Trace is going to do in the second book and that excerpt! Jeez! Got me worrying a little.
As you can probably tell I loved this book; it drew me in and kept me guessing. Cant wait for the next one!
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Wrinkle in the Skin in Books
Sep 13, 2019
Almost relentlessly bleak SF-disaster novel. An immense series of global earthquakes destroys civilisation overnight, leaving only a handful of survivors. The protagonist has previously been emotionally self-sufficient, but can he maintain this attitude in the face of the horror and desolation around him?
Worlds away from the 'cosy catastrophe' label which this kind of book is occasionally lumbered with, this anticipates The Road in many ways: the central image is of a man and a boy making their way across the devastated landscape, scavenging to survive and trying to avoid lawless mobs of other survivors. Christopher's ideas about human nature are crushingly cynical but unpleasantly compelling; the psychological depth of this book makes most similar works of fiction look frivolous and lightweight. Still, for all the skill with which it is written, this story is both tragic and depressing (the book does a good job of making you realise the difference between the two). It's telling that while it concludes on the promise of hope, it's only a promise: an actual happy ending would feel grotesquely inappropriate. Not without its strengths, but a tough read in many ways - other apocalypses are much more fun.
Worlds away from the 'cosy catastrophe' label which this kind of book is occasionally lumbered with, this anticipates The Road in many ways: the central image is of a man and a boy making their way across the devastated landscape, scavenging to survive and trying to avoid lawless mobs of other survivors. Christopher's ideas about human nature are crushingly cynical but unpleasantly compelling; the psychological depth of this book makes most similar works of fiction look frivolous and lightweight. Still, for all the skill with which it is written, this story is both tragic and depressing (the book does a good job of making you realise the difference between the two). It's telling that while it concludes on the promise of hope, it's only a promise: an actual happy ending would feel grotesquely inappropriate. Not without its strengths, but a tough read in many ways - other apocalypses are much more fun.
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