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Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)
Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)
Leigh Bardugo | 2012 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
So I've taken the past week to read the whole trilogy, which I now see as a mistake since the books seem to blend together for me now. I can happily say, however, that Leigh Bardugo's writing lives up to the praise people give her - and this series is certainly going to stay with me for a long time, not including when it'll be refreshed as I re-read it.
As cliched as it sounds, I couldn't put the book down, and the moment I finished one I had to move on to the next. Bardugo has a way with her writing that keeps you hooked, and I would be lying if I didn't admit that I had to put the book down on multiple occasions to sit in what I just read. The action is well-written, characters are relatable and engaging, and tension is built well with the occasional piece of humour to lift us from our stump.
I like to keep my reviews spoiler-free, so I'm struggling to find a way to explain how much I appreciate this book and entire trilogy without going in depth on the plot and character development. If you're reading this to see if you want to read the series, I would say you should jump on it. I went in almost entirely blind, simply hearing good things about Bardugo, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish.
  
I read this on recommendation from my dad, and, I must admit, while I went in not expecting much from it, I was actually quite pleasantly surprised and found it to be quite enjoyable.

I beleive there is now something like 18 books in the eries; this is the very first that introduces us to the central character of Amelia Peabody: a Victorian heiress at the turn of the century. I'm also not really sure how to classify this novel, as it combines elements of mystery, action/adventure, romance and comedy, with the central character of Amelia herself being a bit of a know-it-all (she's always right, even after the fact).

Will I read more in the series? Probably, but I don't know if they are books I would go out of my way to look for.
  
What a great cozy – even thought this book (#5) was the first I had read in this series, by chapter three the main characters all felt like old friends. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the end, and the author’s smooth writing style kept the story flowing. If you’ve read any of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries, you should love this one. If not, now’s as good a time as any to start – you don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy this story, and I did enjoy it!

NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
  
Knotted by Her Alphahole Enemy (Knotted by the Alphahole)
Knotted by Her Alphahole Enemy (Knotted by the Alphahole)
Amara Bonds | 2026 | Erotica, Paranormal
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
KNOTTED BY HER ALPHAHOLE ENEMY is part of the Knotted by the Alphahole series. This novella is fast-paced, with a full story being told.

Hunter and his brothers watched their father fade after his omega died, and swore they would never allow themselves to be in that position. Hunter's brother, Grayson, was the first one to break that vow, and now it's Hunter's turn. You don't have to have read Grayson and Lila's story to appreciate this one. Jaleesa is opposing counsel on a big case that will make waves for the omega community, but when her biology changes things, will she stay or walk away?

This is the first novel by this author I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a novella, but it didn't feel as though anything had been missed out from their story. Both Jaleesa and Hunter are strong characters, lawyers determined to do what they think is right. The scenes between them as lawyers are sharp and steamy when they're alpha and omega, but you can still feel the push-and-pull in every moment.

This was a great read that I definitely recommend. I want to read about Grayson, Liam, and Rian now!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mar 30, 2026
  
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was hilarious, it made me think, especially when it came to the chapter about hair and the angry black woman myth. It was insightful, funny, interesting and a nice delve into someone else's mind who seems to enjoy TV, celebrities and movies as much as I do. I'm going to be honest, I didn't know who Phoebe Robinson before reading this book and I feel ashamed to say that now, but I definitely know who she is now. She's someone not afraid to speak her "troof" (inside joke), which is something that not everyone is able and willing to do in this day and age. If you're looking for a great read into the mind of a black woman who just happens to also be a comedian, pick up a copy today. You won't be disappointed!!
  
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Debbie (52 KP) rated Bob in Books

Aug 14, 2018  
Bob
Bob
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bob By: Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Children's Fiction 216 pages

The copy of this book I have is a B&N Exclusive Edition so it has a bonus chapter in it.
I picked up this book to read to my son, David. This book takes place in Australia.
It has been five years since Livy has visited her Grandmother in Australia. Now that she has returned she has a feeling she is forgetting something. She goes into her mom's old bedroom where she stayed before and she opens up the closet and out comes this small greenish creature in a chicken suit. This creature is named Bob. He has been waiting five years for Livy to come back for him. He doesn't know who or what he is and five years ago Livy promised to find out. Now it is time for Livy to keep that promise. Bob has a big job helping Livy remember things from five years ago. When Livy is away from Bob for any length of time she starts forgetting about him. As you read the story it takes you through some fun events to help solve the mystery of who Bob is. This was a fun story. There are differences of how Australia talk and what things are called in that country compared to ours. I would recommend that you read this book. We gave it 4 stars.
  
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
David Platt | 2010 | Religion
10
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
A while back in the beginning of the year, I was offered a copy of Radical for review. I didn't have time, I was loaded down with school, and I wanted fiction, not "God-books." But before I went to college, I was browsing the books in my book store, and saw Radical. I read the back and thought "why didn't I get this earlier?" So I bought it.

Yep, you read right. I, a broke college student, forked over fifteen hard-earned dollars and bought a book.

Probably the best fifteen dollars I've ever spent.

In a sentence: Radical will change your life. It's not a 'feel-good' kind of book, it's a 'dangit-now-i-feel-guilty' kind of book. Platt takes Jesus' commandment to His followers of going and making disciples and puts it in our world, in our day and age, at our level.

Which, as he will show you, is exactly the same as it was 2000 years ago—whether we like to believe that or not.

I don't think I can possibly go a day without thinking about the things I've learned from this skinny little book. I read through it very fast, I journaled and underlined in it, I've re-read sections, I've prayed about it.

Summarizing Radical and the effects it's had on my thinking would be pointless for me to do: it would be better for you to get a copy for yourself and read it, cover to cover. Trust me when I say there is no going back, there is not excuse. After reading this book, a question is posed: What is Jesus worth to you?

Recommendation: All ages
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2514 KP) rated Killers of a Certain Age in Books

Feb 6, 2023 (Updated Feb 6, 2023)  
Killers of a Certain Age
Killers of a Certain Age
Deanna Raybourn | 2022 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If You Plan to Take Out Killers, Don't Miss
Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have spent their lives working as assassins for a super-secret organization that calls itself the Museum. They have had a successful career individually and as a team, but they are ready to retire now. However, the cruise that the Museum sends them on turns out to be a trap. Now they have to wonder who is out to kill them. And why.

I’ve been hearing good things about this book, so I went in looking forward to it. And I did enjoy it. It reads like an action movie, and there were plenty of scenes that had me turning pages. However, it could have been stronger, with another few twists and turns and slightly stronger characters. The book fits in the action genre in that regard, right? It does have more language and violence than I typically read. It also has plenty that made me smile and laugh as I was reading. Most of the book is written in first person past tense, but we a few chapters flash back to the past and they are written in third person present tense. While I didn’t think this book was quite as good as many others seemed to, I definitely enjoyed it and I’m glad I read it.
  
Only You Can Save Mankind (Johnny Maxwell #1)
Only You Can Save Mankind (Johnny Maxwell #1)
Terry Pratchett | 1992 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
"After all, joysticks don't have 'Don't Fire' buttons on them ..."
Only You Can Save Mankind!
Why me?
If not you, who else?

I first read this not long after it was published, back in the early-to-mid 1990s, at which time I was exactly it's target audience being in my mid teens myself.

By that point, I had already discovered Terry Pratchett's wonderful Discworld novels, but hadn't read many - any? - of his non-Discworld books.

That changed when I read this, which would go on to become the first in his so-called Johnny Maxwell series (comprising this, Johnny and the Dead and Johnny and the Bomb).

Reading this now (in the early 2020s), it still holds up remarkably well, even if it is noticeable how much society has changed: mobile phones weren't really a thing back in the 90s, personal computers were relatively new, the Gulf War was still ongoing ...