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Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
8
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is good, although it is somewhat frustrating that almost every chapter has flashbacks. Once you become familiar with the routine though it is easier to read and understand. The story is interesting, as the idea is unique and not like any other dystopian novel I have read. There is no real conclusion and it leaves everything hanging until the next book, which was rather annoying. I would like to see some sort of short term conclusions at the end of a novel, to feel that there is some sort of resolution. This is definitely not one of my favorites but I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out just because I need to know what happens with the characters.
  
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Crystal (9 KP) rated The 100 in Books

Jul 4, 2018  
The 100
The 100
Kass Morgan | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
6
7.5 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
The book is good, although it is somewhat frustrating that almost every chapter has flashbacks. Once you become familiar with the routine though it is easier to read and understand. The story is interesting, as the idea is unique and not like any other dystopian novel I have read. There is no real conclusion and it leaves everything hanging until the next book, which was rather annoying. I would like to see some sort of short term conclusions at the end of a novel, to feel that there is some sort of resolution. This is definitely not one of my favorites but I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out just because I need to know what happens with the characters.
  
I Will Never Leave You
I Will Never Leave You
S. M. Thayer | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I selected this book as one of my Amazon Kindle First Reads selections. It seemed like it could be a great read, with so much potential for suspense, intrigue and excitement. Instead, there was unnecessary exposition, sub-plots which were of no consequence to the story and characters with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. In what appeared to be an attempt to bring the tale to a conclusion, the actions of the characters swiftly moved from those of people desperate to resolve their situations to just plain ridiculous.

This appears to be part of a planned two-part series, with a second novel 'Before I Forget You' planned for 2019. With the seemingly half-hearted ending to this novel, I certainly wont be rushing to read the follow up.
  
I Have Lost My Way
I Have Lost My Way
Gayle Forman | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
8
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Beautiful
I absolutely loved I Have Lost my Way by Gayle Forman. This was a beautifully written contemporary novel that I will be reading over and over again. The cover is simple and beautiful and once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. This is a heartbreaking story of three very different people who have lost their way in life in different ways. They meet very unexpectedly and at just the right moment to help each other when they need it most. The characters find hope in the darkness and help one another find their way again. I loved the end of the story, it was wrapped up wonderfully for me, not with a perfect pretty bow, but with a very real, relatable ending. I would definitely recommend this novel.
  
13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)
13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)
Maureen Johnson | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
13 Little Blue Envelopes was a delightful read. The author knows how to keep you hooked with short easy-to-read chapters and I found myself reading a chapter every chance I got!

It had me hooked from the first envelope and read the book over a couple of days - only to find there is a follow-on novel out too!

I was luck enough to get this as a free book on Amazon kindle which is a fantastic way of discovering new authors. The book is aimed at teenage/young adult but I would recommend it for any age group.

MoMo’s Book Diary loved this delightful novel and recommends 13 Little Blue Envelopes as a 4 star read. (read May 2011)

This review is also published on http://www.momobookdiary.com and http://www.amazon.co.uk
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated Never Greener in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
Never Greener
Never Greener
Ruth Jones | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The much-anticipated debut novel by the very talented scriptwriter and actress Ruth Jones (Nessa from Gavin and Stacey) has had mixed reviews from critics but I think I know why. This novel doesnÕt have the quirkiness or levity that youÕd expect from JonesÕ TV work, although it originated from an abandoned TV script she rediscovered. This work delves into affairs and consequences and therefore itÕs a little more pensive. Ex-lovers Kate and Callum meet after seventeen years and consider walking away or taking a second chance to find out if the grass is greener. The two protagonists are not exactly likeable, I found myself wanting to know less about them and more about others. I enjoyed the book but forget any notion of Nessa, Ruth Jones has a voice of her own.
  
Blasphemy (Wyman Ford #2)
Blasphemy (Wyman Ford #2)
Douglas Preston | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Qute a few years ago, I read a couple of books in the 'Jurassic Park' vein that I really quite enjoyed: 'Relic', and then 'Reliquary'. Not that long ago, I also read another book by the same author(s) ('Mount Dragon'), but found it to be rather slow moving and a bit tedious in places.

Never-the-less, and despite a rather provocative title, I thought I would give this a chance. I can happily report that this moves at a much faster pace then 'Mount Dragon', and is more enjoyable than that novel - more like what I remember 'Relic' and 'Reliquary' to be like. I might not agree with all the view-points expounded in the novel, nor even with its eventual denouement, but at least it has restored my faith in the author!
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated Prey in Books

Jan 30, 2019  
P
Prey
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'm pretty sure the first Michael Crichtom book I ever read was perhaps his most famous: "Jurassic Park" (back when I was still in school).

Why am I mentioning that fact? Since then, I've read many of his other thechno-thrillers (and one history thriller), none of which have really lived up to that first book. Of them all, however, this is perhaps the closest to doing so.

Taking the evolution of nano-technology as its basis, this novel can also be split into three distinct sections: the beginning (and end) sections at home, the wild strain in the desert wilds, and then the more evolved strain in the latter part. It's true that the ending doesn't quite tie-up with the beginning of the novel, but still a very enjoyable read.
  
Mary's the Name
Mary's the Name
Ross Sayers | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wee Mary is a great character. (0 more)
Predictable plot. Should be young adult novel. (0 more)
Good book from a new author
Contains spoilers, click to show
This was my first book of the year and it didn't disappoint. Mary is a great wee character that the reader is drawn to from page 1. This is a novel about an innocent child and a corrupt granddad - a diamond of a man who loves his granddaughter dearly. The author did a great job of writing from Mary's point of view when the character is so young. My only criticism would be the explaining of Scottish words - trust your reader. Otherwise, it was great. The plot was brilliant and I even had a gasp, right in the middle, but I won't spoil it for anyone. Well done Ross, looking forward to the next one.
  
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Doctor Sleep (2019)
2019 | Horror
I have recently read and enjoyed the book so was looking forward to seeing what they have done with this. Thankfully I was pleasantly impressed, the film manages to be both a decent adaptation of King’s novel and a satisfying sequel to The Shining. It does change a few things and the ending of the novel but is largely a happy compromise between book and movie. The casting is good particularly Rebecca Ferguson as Rose and the film has some very dark disturbing scenes that linger with you afterwards. It’s certainly long (2.5 hours- theatrical version) but its well paced and kept me entertained and doesn’t really feel as long as that. The blu ray comes with the 3 hour directors cut which I am looking forward to watching as well.