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Tin Man (Bliss, #1.5)
Lisa Henry | 2015
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I probably should have read Bliss before this, but I didn’t know Tin Man was the second in the series. It probably would have helped especially since there was so much going on. I love sci-fi but I tend to stay away from novels since it is so hard to translated sci-fi into words (and make them comprehendible). There was a lot going on in Tin Man and, while the author did a good job an explaining things, I still felt lost more than once. I loved the premise of this novel. Everything about was amazing. I became so engrossed that when the novel ended, I felt like a piece of me was left in the story. It was refreshing to read such a great LGBTQIA. I have been looking for novels like this, that aren’t so cookie cutter cut and dry LGBTQIA. I can’t wait to read more.
  
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ArecRain (8 KP) rated His Wicked Lady in Books

Jan 18, 2018  
HW
His Wicked Lady
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is definitely a novel you should not base on its cover. The cover makes it look medieval, the description makes it sound regency, but the actual story has a completely different than both of those.

There were a lot of pros and cons for me in this book. On one hand, I liked the strong females leads and the author tackling the subject domestic abuse. However, it felt awkward in unrealistic for the time frame that the author placed the story in. I also felt the dialogue was a bit out of place. Sometimes, authors modernize dialogue so it is more readable for the readers. I am not sure if that’s what she was doing, but it didn’t detract too much from the story. In fact, I quite enjoyed the lead couple’s bantering for the most part.

Overall, I would say I enjoyed the novel. It had some unrealistic factors that grated against my nerves, but I was invested in the HEA.
  
R(
Rogue (Shifters, #2)
4
6.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am officially annoyed. I want some kind of law, or at least an industry standard, that requires publishers to label any novel that doesn't tie up all its little plot threads in ONE volume. This is one that would definitely have that label, as we're left waiting Important Things on the very last page. Blech.

It takes a lot of talent to write good poetry, to compress meaning into those few, perfect words. Writing short stories is, again, something that requires skill, talent, and discipline. Novels give the author more leeway, and the best, in my opinion, are those that are pared down to the essentials. More and more, I see the serial novel as the mark of a very undisciplined writer. I like series, certainly—as long as each volume can stand on its own merits, enjoyable without having to read several other books. Ms. Vincent is nowhere near that level of professionalism.
  
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Anna Steele (111 KP) rated Noteworthy in Books

Jun 28, 2018  
Noteworthy
Noteworthy
Riley Redgate | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Singing Sharp and Mending Broken Hearts
Riley Redgate is an up-and-coming author and recent graduate of Kenyon College. In her second novel, her main character goes to an arts school and has never been cast in a show. To keep herself on her toes with competition, she goes undercover and auditions for an all-male a capella group. She never expected it to go so far. It reminds me of the anime Oran High School Host Club, with Jordan being a scholarship kid masquerading in an all-male group. I wasn’t sure if a capella would stand as well on the page as it did on the silver screen, but Redgate’s prose throughout the novel sparked my imagination so much that I wasn’t worried about missing the actual notes. Striving for a sense of belonging in an artistic and scholastic setting really hits home with me, as an acting major in college.
  
The Wolf Gift (The Wolf Gift Chronicles, #1)
The Wolf Gift (The Wolf Gift Chronicles, #1)
Anne Rice | 2012 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was beautifully written. Anne Rice really does have a way of describing scenes and characters. I think that this was beautiful.

I enjoyed the different take on Werewolves and I loved the descriptions. I do wish that the book had more of a climatic story line. I felt as if this novel was not an emotional novel. I felt no pull towards the characters. I loved the struggle that the characters had with God and I enjoyed being able to relate to the characters. I loved the characters but I was not in love with them.

All in all I enjoyed this book. I will say that it was anti-climatic and left me wanting a more intense read.

Anne Rice is a spectacular writer who has a great imagination and an ability to make you feel like you are watching a movie while reading.

I would recommend this book to family and friends.
  
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Marissa Meyer | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.4 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am huge fan of the lunar chronicles series. Just as the first book, scarlet surpassed my expectations. It's a refreshing and unique take on the fairy tale of little red riding hood. The book also continues with the story of Cinderella from the first novel of the series. The story keeps you interested the entire time and has simple twists and turns to keep you coming back for more. The characters are good kids but flawed in a way that lets you remember they are just like us, you cant help but love them all. The villain of the series is so vile the reader just cant wait to see her get what she deserves. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves the ya genre. It is also clean enough for my ten year old to read. I can not wait to read the next novel in the series: Cress.
  
Burned (Burned, #1)
Burned (Burned, #1)
Ellen Hopkins | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Where does one begin when trying to explain the overwhelming admiration they have for this book.

I loved that I could not only relate to the character on her views on religion, sex, gender roles, and romance, but, also the fact that the author never makes light of the abuse or sexualization of women in this novel.

This leaves you pondering what you would do in Pattyn's place. I couldn't help but root for her despite her turning into a cold stone killer at the end of the novel.

This gives you a better understanding of people in abusive relationships and how it affects those associated with it. It not only showcases different levels of abuse (whether it's sexual, verbal, or physical) but also shows you the raw painful aftermath that the abuse victims face.

This book was brilliantly written and I recommend this to anyone who can stomach it's horrific content of abuse.
  
How to Murder Your Life
How to Murder Your Life
Cat Marnell | 2017 | Biography
8
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Compulsively readable, feels more like a novel than an autobiography. At times I found myself able to relate to her or almost feeling sorry for her, at least in regards to her childhood, while other times I found her to be truly obnoxious and off-putting, especially in not accepting responsibility for her actions. However, I enjoyed her style of writing and I commend her bravery in putting her life and her struggles with addiction out there for the world to see, and judge. I imagine that every author dreads the bad reviews but when it's a book about your life that has to sting twice as hard. Hopefully her story will inspire others dealing with the same issues to turn things around. Curious to see if/how she will continue her literary career, perhaps a novel will be in her future (I certainly hope so!) *Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*
  
AM
A Mind Polluted
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was hooked from the first page of Martin Geraghty’s awesome debut novel. I read it in two sittings and was up until after 2am unable to sleep until I reached the final page – and then for some time afterwards as Connor’s story swirled around inside my head.

I am still thinking of the emotional rollercoaster from this gritty and dark tale a few days after finishing. The story takes the reader on an experience unlike any other book I’ve ever read!

The secret overheard by the lead character is shocking and the author has, in my view, described the emotions and reactions from all concerned perfectly. It is a fast paced novel which is set in four parts and definitely a ‘one more page’ type of story.

I am finding it difficult to write the review in a way not to give anything away. I can’t wait to read more from this very talented author.
  
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House
2018 | Horror
I tried giving this show the benefit of the doubt. The first episode wasn't terrible, but unfortunately, the subsequent episodes displayed a real lack of creativity and understanding of the novel. It basically became a checklist of modern horror cliches.

The original novel and the 1963 film, The Haunting, were wonderful because of the subtlety. There weren't any jump scares or visible monsters. It was all a question of one's sanity rather than an unambiguous haunting. This all lent to the eeriness of the story. The eeriness was the question, the not knowing.

If you've seen any run of the mill horror films in the last 10 years you know what this series is going to throw at you and it will not surprise you one bit. Despite all that I'm still watching it so it must have something that's keeping my interest. Because of that, I'm giving it a 3/10 rather than 1/10.