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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Merciless in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-reviews/the-merciless-by-danielle-vega
<b><i>Forgive us, Father, for we have sinned.</b></i>
Well, well, well, what can I say? This thoroughly disappointed me, after giving it some more thought, Ive taken this down to 2 stars.
So we have 3 beautiful and popular God-fearing girls who adopt the new girl into their secretive little gang and warn her against demon-possessed Brooklyn. To cure Brooklyn of her devilish ways they decide to kidnap her, stick her in a basement and torture her, or exorcise her Sound like Im giving too much away? Well yes, I probably am, but the blurb tells you the exact same thing, making the whole suspense element of this book completely useless and a waste of the author's time. <b>Dont try to keep us on our toes when youve already told us whats going to happen.</b>
Due to this being a novel aimed at Young Adult readers, the language, for me, felt simple and lack lustre. I can only read so much before it becomes laughable for me, and laughable it became. All the characters speech was so unrealistic and straightforward it was almost impossible to believe anyone would actually talk like that. This unrealistic speech really made it difficult to connect to any of the characters on a deeper level so I had no empathy for any of them.
The plot, overall, is just a little bit completely ridiculous and nonsensical. The blandness of the characters, scenes and speech make the whole thing feel like a pretty demented, but dumb dream. <spoiler>If Brooklyn had just been evil in a normal teenage girl way and didnt rip out Rileys fucking heart, maybe it would have been a better book</spoiler> I didnt find myself shocked, scared or creeped out at any point in the entire book because it was all so juvenile and cheesy. The reasons the girls did what they did was childish and cringy and it just wouldnt happen in the way Vega wrote it down. And lets not get me started on all the loose ends...
Anyone up for reading one of the most predictable endings ever? My God, what an unexciting end to a pretty unexciting novel - at least it was consistent.
I did read this over the period of just one day, so it had me wanting to finish it, but not for any of the right reasons. I wasnt reading it quickly because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, I was reading it quickly because it was getting stupider and stupider and I wanted to get it over and done with. Do I want to put myself through reading the second book in the series? I dont know Ill give it some time first.
<b><i>Forgive us, Father, for we have sinned.</b></i>
Well, well, well, what can I say? This thoroughly disappointed me, after giving it some more thought, Ive taken this down to 2 stars.
So we have 3 beautiful and popular God-fearing girls who adopt the new girl into their secretive little gang and warn her against demon-possessed Brooklyn. To cure Brooklyn of her devilish ways they decide to kidnap her, stick her in a basement and torture her, or exorcise her Sound like Im giving too much away? Well yes, I probably am, but the blurb tells you the exact same thing, making the whole suspense element of this book completely useless and a waste of the author's time. <b>Dont try to keep us on our toes when youve already told us whats going to happen.</b>
Due to this being a novel aimed at Young Adult readers, the language, for me, felt simple and lack lustre. I can only read so much before it becomes laughable for me, and laughable it became. All the characters speech was so unrealistic and straightforward it was almost impossible to believe anyone would actually talk like that. This unrealistic speech really made it difficult to connect to any of the characters on a deeper level so I had no empathy for any of them.
The plot, overall, is just a little bit completely ridiculous and nonsensical. The blandness of the characters, scenes and speech make the whole thing feel like a pretty demented, but dumb dream. <spoiler>If Brooklyn had just been evil in a normal teenage girl way and didnt rip out Rileys fucking heart, maybe it would have been a better book</spoiler> I didnt find myself shocked, scared or creeped out at any point in the entire book because it was all so juvenile and cheesy. The reasons the girls did what they did was childish and cringy and it just wouldnt happen in the way Vega wrote it down. And lets not get me started on all the loose ends...
Anyone up for reading one of the most predictable endings ever? My God, what an unexciting end to a pretty unexciting novel - at least it was consistent.
I did read this over the period of just one day, so it had me wanting to finish it, but not for any of the right reasons. I wasnt reading it quickly because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, I was reading it quickly because it was getting stupider and stupider and I wanted to get it over and done with. Do I want to put myself through reading the second book in the series? I dont know Ill give it some time first.
Kayleigh (12 KP) rated Newes from the Dead in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I stumbled across the blurb of this book while looking at the Totally Random Books website. It's really intriguing and, as I read around, I could see that the book is based on a true story. That was it, I had to buy it! It didn't disappoint, and I read it in a day.
While this is a YA book, it's worth pointing out that it deals with some really adult themes, which is something to consider if you're thinking of letting a teenager read it. I'll outline the main points in the next paragraph, so if you don't want any spoilers at all, skip this bit. The chapters flick between the events that led up to Anne's hanging, and what happens while she's laid on the dissecting table, apparently dead. Her downfall comes when the master's grandson promises her the world in exchange for him getting his end away, shall we say. As tends to happen, she becomes pregnant, which she manages to keep a secret until she miscarries. She has the 'audacity' to tell people who the father was, so never receives a fair trial, and is sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of her child. Her sentence is carried out, but she regains consciousness while on the dissecting table. However, she's unable to move a muscle, even to scream.
Anne is a nice girl with a promising, if humble, future, and I liked her. Even while I was willing her not to trust the father of her child, I could understand why she did what she did, and I felt really sorry for her as she lost a lot. The events of both storylines were fascinating, and in the dissection chapters I was constantly willing the doctors to notice what was going on. Although I knew they wouldn't cut into her and it was a little drawn out, some parts got quite tense, which I liked.
Being a sucker for history, I really liked the way everything was portrayed. [a:Mary Hooper|139257|Mary Hooper|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310022486p2/139257.jpg], the author, made me realise how important it was in how you were perceived in those times - if you think gossip can be bad now, it was a million times worse in 1650, when holding someone's hand, even for an innocent reason, can potentially start a deadly rumour. I thought the book brought across everything that would have happened at the time really accurately and realistically. I know the author had true events to go on, but Anne's life before her hanging was all imagined. There's a note from Hooper at the end that specifies what records say about what happened to Anne Green after her hanging, which is also really interesting. I'll definitely be checking out more of Hooper's books!
If you liked this review please check out my <a href="http://www.a-worldofwords.com">blog!</a>
While this is a YA book, it's worth pointing out that it deals with some really adult themes, which is something to consider if you're thinking of letting a teenager read it. I'll outline the main points in the next paragraph, so if you don't want any spoilers at all, skip this bit. The chapters flick between the events that led up to Anne's hanging, and what happens while she's laid on the dissecting table, apparently dead. Her downfall comes when the master's grandson promises her the world in exchange for him getting his end away, shall we say. As tends to happen, she becomes pregnant, which she manages to keep a secret until she miscarries. She has the 'audacity' to tell people who the father was, so never receives a fair trial, and is sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of her child. Her sentence is carried out, but she regains consciousness while on the dissecting table. However, she's unable to move a muscle, even to scream.
Anne is a nice girl with a promising, if humble, future, and I liked her. Even while I was willing her not to trust the father of her child, I could understand why she did what she did, and I felt really sorry for her as she lost a lot. The events of both storylines were fascinating, and in the dissection chapters I was constantly willing the doctors to notice what was going on. Although I knew they wouldn't cut into her and it was a little drawn out, some parts got quite tense, which I liked.
Being a sucker for history, I really liked the way everything was portrayed. [a:Mary Hooper|139257|Mary Hooper|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310022486p2/139257.jpg], the author, made me realise how important it was in how you were perceived in those times - if you think gossip can be bad now, it was a million times worse in 1650, when holding someone's hand, even for an innocent reason, can potentially start a deadly rumour. I thought the book brought across everything that would have happened at the time really accurately and realistically. I know the author had true events to go on, but Anne's life before her hanging was all imagined. There's a note from Hooper at the end that specifies what records say about what happened to Anne Green after her hanging, which is also really interesting. I'll definitely be checking out more of Hooper's books!
If you liked this review please check out my <a href="http://www.a-worldofwords.com">blog!</a>
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Debbiereadsbook (1551 KP) rated Vampire's Queens (The Bloodline Chronicles 3) in Books
Oct 30, 2025
well played with the leak!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and you cannot read it as a stand alone. You MUST read book 1, Witch's Knight and book 2, Midnight Fear before this one. There is MUCH that is not recapped and you will need to know about this vampire society and how it works.
I 4 starred books one and 2 and this is another solid 4 star read. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Sarai, Setanta and Marcelle are ruling as a throuple. Sarai is pregnant, MArcelle is trying to work out who is tipping the Vasri off before they get there, and Setanta is doing King stuff (not actually sure WHAT he was doing for most of the book, to be honest!) But there are those who want them gone, and they will go to great lengths to make that happen.
Couple things: I said in my review for book 2, something about Sarai's sister. There was no mention of a sister here, so I'm not sure what THAT point was about!
Again, Setanta is only given a minor (1 or 2 chapters) voice. I needed him, I really did. Had he been given a bigger voice, I think this book would have been a much better read. (not that it isn't already but it would have been BETTER!)
Sarai's pregnancy threw up some surprises that no one saw coming and I loved that as old as they are, Marcelle and Setanta had not much clue how to help!
I did NOT see who the leak was coming at me, I really did not! I just about threw my kindle across the room in that chapter!! So very well played there Ms Silver, VERY well played.
It's quite violent in places, fighting a shape shifting dragon with was never going to be a walk in the park!
I found the steam levels a bit higher than in previous books, but not by much. I think it was because the one scene between all three partners was more sweet than smexy and I really loved that Setanta and Marcelle were mindful of Sarai's pregnancy, while still providing her with what she needed from them. The "birthday party" for Sarai, while multi person (6, I think) I thought was well written but not especially explicit. Some FF scenes, as well as multi partner scenes, with every which way combination of male and female partners.
What I need now is something else from this author! Given as I can only find this series by Ms Silver, I need more and I need not to have to wait a whole year!
I wrote 4 stars in an earlier line, I do love it when a book talks itself into . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and you cannot read it as a stand alone. You MUST read book 1, Witch's Knight and book 2, Midnight Fear before this one. There is MUCH that is not recapped and you will need to know about this vampire society and how it works.
I 4 starred books one and 2 and this is another solid 4 star read. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Sarai, Setanta and Marcelle are ruling as a throuple. Sarai is pregnant, MArcelle is trying to work out who is tipping the Vasri off before they get there, and Setanta is doing King stuff (not actually sure WHAT he was doing for most of the book, to be honest!) But there are those who want them gone, and they will go to great lengths to make that happen.
Couple things: I said in my review for book 2, something about Sarai's sister. There was no mention of a sister here, so I'm not sure what THAT point was about!
Again, Setanta is only given a minor (1 or 2 chapters) voice. I needed him, I really did. Had he been given a bigger voice, I think this book would have been a much better read. (not that it isn't already but it would have been BETTER!)
Sarai's pregnancy threw up some surprises that no one saw coming and I loved that as old as they are, Marcelle and Setanta had not much clue how to help!
I did NOT see who the leak was coming at me, I really did not! I just about threw my kindle across the room in that chapter!! So very well played there Ms Silver, VERY well played.
It's quite violent in places, fighting a shape shifting dragon with was never going to be a walk in the park!
I found the steam levels a bit higher than in previous books, but not by much. I think it was because the one scene between all three partners was more sweet than smexy and I really loved that Setanta and Marcelle were mindful of Sarai's pregnancy, while still providing her with what she needed from them. The "birthday party" for Sarai, while multi person (6, I think) I thought was well written but not especially explicit. Some FF scenes, as well as multi partner scenes, with every which way combination of male and female partners.
What I need now is something else from this author! Given as I can only find this series by Ms Silver, I need more and I need not to have to wait a whole year!
I wrote 4 stars in an earlier line, I do love it when a book talks itself into . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Penpal in Books
May 12, 2021
I love books that keep you guessing throughout the story. When I heard about Penpal by Dathan Auerbach through a Facebook group I'm in, it sounded right up my alley. However, I was left with so many questions after finishing the book.
The premise for the plot of Penpal is an interesting one. I liked how Auerbach uses the narrator's memories to lead us up to big reveal of what the horrible thing is. However, the execution of this is where it falls short. The memories are out of chronological order which makes things confusing. There were times where I had to really think about what I was reading and try to place it before or after another memory I had read about. Putting the memories in chronological order would have really benefitted this book much better. I will say the pacing was great for Penpal though. I did find myself wanting to know what would happen. The suspense throughout was fantastic! However, I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic considering all that had happened. By the ending, I was left feeling so confused! I can't really say too much, but there were some things that just didn't make sense. Some of my questions were answered by scouring the internet for answers, but many of my questions about the book went unanswered. I also noticed many had the same questions I had. On the plus side, there were no cliff hangers.
While the narrator and his best friend felt fairly fleshed out, I felt that the author missed their voice when they were children. I just felt that that when they were kids, they would not be talking or acting the way they did. I also felt that the parents needed to keep an eye on their children better! The narrator is never named which I think helps with the suspense of this book. I did like the characters and empathized with the narrator, but as I've stated previously, the author really needed to work on the voice of his characters as children to give them a more realistic feel.
Trigger warnings for Penpal include death, attempted murder, some profanity, implied pedophilia, violence, and kidnapping.
Overall, Penpal is a confusing book, but I did enjoy the writing style. With some rewriting, this book could be really good and even have the potential to be a great idea for a film. I'd recommend Penpal by Dathan Auerbach to those 16+ who like to figure things out on their own, but be prepared to be left with many questions after you've finished reading it.
The premise for the plot of Penpal is an interesting one. I liked how Auerbach uses the narrator's memories to lead us up to big reveal of what the horrible thing is. However, the execution of this is where it falls short. The memories are out of chronological order which makes things confusing. There were times where I had to really think about what I was reading and try to place it before or after another memory I had read about. Putting the memories in chronological order would have really benefitted this book much better. I will say the pacing was great for Penpal though. I did find myself wanting to know what would happen. The suspense throughout was fantastic! However, I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic considering all that had happened. By the ending, I was left feeling so confused! I can't really say too much, but there were some things that just didn't make sense. Some of my questions were answered by scouring the internet for answers, but many of my questions about the book went unanswered. I also noticed many had the same questions I had. On the plus side, there were no cliff hangers.
While the narrator and his best friend felt fairly fleshed out, I felt that the author missed their voice when they were children. I just felt that that when they were kids, they would not be talking or acting the way they did. I also felt that the parents needed to keep an eye on their children better! The narrator is never named which I think helps with the suspense of this book. I did like the characters and empathized with the narrator, but as I've stated previously, the author really needed to work on the voice of his characters as children to give them a more realistic feel.
Trigger warnings for Penpal include death, attempted murder, some profanity, implied pedophilia, violence, and kidnapping.
Overall, Penpal is a confusing book, but I did enjoy the writing style. With some rewriting, this book could be really good and even have the potential to be a great idea for a film. I'd recommend Penpal by Dathan Auerbach to those 16+ who like to figure things out on their own, but be prepared to be left with many questions after you've finished reading it.
Amanda (96 KP) rated Two Can Keep a Secret in Books
Mar 11, 2019
I was partially right in my assumption as to who had done it, but I don't see that as a bad thing. I was a bit taken a back as to what happened and who was behind it, but I'm not counting that as a negative thing.
I talked about McManus' debut novel, but I never reviewed it. Those were back in my days before discovering reviewing books. I did read that book in a bookclub and it was fun, but I had mixed feelings about that book. I'll have to re-read the book to really get into it, so I won't do that right now.
I felt horrible for Malcolm to have to overcome the crap that he did with his older brother, Declan. I honestly do not like how much of a pushover and weak character Malcolm and Declan's mother is. I almot feel like she was put there to say that the boys did indeed have a mother. I understood WHY she was like that and the reasoning behind it, but I felt like she didn't have much of a true purpose in the story.
The twist was unexpected, but it was a twist that was not too terribly bad. The story kept me guessing and it ended well, even gave you a bit of a 'oh wow' kind of feeling.
Like I said, I liked the story better than McManus' first novel. They aren't connected, so this isn't a series that you have to start from the beginning.
As much as I found Ellery a bit of an annoyance with her questions and constant suspicions, it was hard not to like her. She paid attention and even if she is a bit obsessed with her true crime novels, they made her aware when nobody else was, or willing to be.
I did enjoy the mystery and the turn of events in this book. Each character had a role, no matter how minor or cliche, to play in the story. Nobody was tossed aside or mentioned but never seen again. It had me guessing and definitely had me not wanting to put it down even after finishing a chapter.
I talked about McManus' debut novel, but I never reviewed it. Those were back in my days before discovering reviewing books. I did read that book in a bookclub and it was fun, but I had mixed feelings about that book. I'll have to re-read the book to really get into it, so I won't do that right now.
I felt horrible for Malcolm to have to overcome the crap that he did with his older brother, Declan. I honestly do not like how much of a pushover and weak character Malcolm and Declan's mother is. I almot feel like she was put there to say that the boys did indeed have a mother. I understood WHY she was like that and the reasoning behind it, but I felt like she didn't have much of a true purpose in the story.
The twist was unexpected, but it was a twist that was not too terribly bad. The story kept me guessing and it ended well, even gave you a bit of a 'oh wow' kind of feeling.
Like I said, I liked the story better than McManus' first novel. They aren't connected, so this isn't a series that you have to start from the beginning.
As much as I found Ellery a bit of an annoyance with her questions and constant suspicions, it was hard not to like her. She paid attention and even if she is a bit obsessed with her true crime novels, they made her aware when nobody else was, or willing to be.
I did enjoy the mystery and the turn of events in this book. Each character had a role, no matter how minor or cliche, to play in the story. Nobody was tossed aside or mentioned but never seen again. It had me guessing and definitely had me not wanting to put it down even after finishing a chapter.






