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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Ramona the Pest (Ramona, #2) in Books
May 27, 2021
I read RAMONA THE PEST with my eight-year-old daughters. We had such fun with this one, and wow, the story really holds up over time. They were totally into it, laughing and engaged throughout the entire book. The actual physical copy we read was mine, given to me by my Dad in 1987, and I loved that I could share it with them now.
Ramona--what can I say? A timeless character. The girls adored her, and I fell in love with her all over again. Cleary has such an amazing knack for writing children and capturing their true essence. Reading it again as a parent I was truly blown away by how well she could write from a child's perspective. Grace and Zoe loved Ramona's antics, and we are already on to the next book.
Ramona--what can I say? A timeless character. The girls adored her, and I fell in love with her all over again. Cleary has such an amazing knack for writing children and capturing their true essence. Reading it again as a parent I was truly blown away by how well she could write from a child's perspective. Grace and Zoe loved Ramona's antics, and we are already on to the next book.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Celestine is Flawed to the very backbone, according to The Guild. She went against society and assisted a Flawed man – going against every value a Perfect citizen should hold. She was branded as flawed, not just the maximum of five times, but a sixth. Now, she finds herself on the run from The Guild and their Whistleblowers, an attempt at freedom that a Flawed citizen should never have.
Perfect is the second and final book in Cecelia Ahern’s Flawed series.
I read Flawed, the first book, a couple of years ago now. It’s the first book I had ever read by Cecelia Ahern, and it’s what made her writing stand out to me. However, for whatever reason (I can’t remember now) I’d put off buying Perfect. And when I did finally buy it, it sat on my bookshelf for ages. That was until the other weekend when I finally made the decision to read it.
I forgot how immersive the world Ahern created was. I was straight into the book as it jumped straight into action, and found it really easy to remember everything that had happened in the previous book.
Perfect is a fast paced novel, that never really slows down for a second. I found myself finishing it in just a couple of days, and really couldn’t put it down. It was addictive and kept me wanting to know what happened next.
I love Celestine as a character. The fact that she points out that she’s Flawed, but likes that part of herself because it makes her real is one of my favourite ideas of the whole book.
Celestine is strong and confident, and doesn’t need to have anyone by her side to help her get her way. She’s the perfect independent protagonist and I love her for that.
The focus on an over-controlling society where if you do the slightest thing wrong, you’re branded for life was really interesting. It makes you question whether a person can really be fully bad, and whether a person’s past is really different to who they are in the present day.
It’s definitely a thrilling book with some of the best characters you’ll find in YA. I would usually comment about how I’m not really into YA or Dystopia, but I’m not because I’m now definitely a convert and really enjoying the genre.
Perfect is the second and final book in Cecelia Ahern’s Flawed series.
I read Flawed, the first book, a couple of years ago now. It’s the first book I had ever read by Cecelia Ahern, and it’s what made her writing stand out to me. However, for whatever reason (I can’t remember now) I’d put off buying Perfect. And when I did finally buy it, it sat on my bookshelf for ages. That was until the other weekend when I finally made the decision to read it.
I forgot how immersive the world Ahern created was. I was straight into the book as it jumped straight into action, and found it really easy to remember everything that had happened in the previous book.
Perfect is a fast paced novel, that never really slows down for a second. I found myself finishing it in just a couple of days, and really couldn’t put it down. It was addictive and kept me wanting to know what happened next.
I love Celestine as a character. The fact that she points out that she’s Flawed, but likes that part of herself because it makes her real is one of my favourite ideas of the whole book.
Celestine is strong and confident, and doesn’t need to have anyone by her side to help her get her way. She’s the perfect independent protagonist and I love her for that.
The focus on an over-controlling society where if you do the slightest thing wrong, you’re branded for life was really interesting. It makes you question whether a person can really be fully bad, and whether a person’s past is really different to who they are in the present day.
It’s definitely a thrilling book with some of the best characters you’ll find in YA. I would usually comment about how I’m not really into YA or Dystopia, but I’m not because I’m now definitely a convert and really enjoying the genre.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Crown of Midnight in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Alright - This book was alright - it was mid range for me. I had a hard time with the first half the book, a lot of it I found to be uninteresting and boring - but then the last half of the book came and it knocked my socks off. There was a lot going on (I still can't pronounce half the words and names), I enjoyed where the story went after a certain point, I didn't think I'd end up wanting to read Book 3 but now after the way this story has ended it just makes me want to request book 3 from the library. Darn those cliffhangers! Is it wrong how I think the dog is my favourite character in the book? No. okay.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Absolute Boyfriend, Vol. 1 in Books
Sep 5, 2019
3.5 stars.
Initially I had a little trouble getting into the story but the more I read, the more I liked it. The storyline was a little crazy but I've grown to like Night. He really is being the Absolute Boyfriend.
To me, it's obvious that the next door neighbour likes our girl, but she's being a bit oblivious at the minute.
And then that last page! Her "friend" of all people!
It has definitely made me intrigued enough to carry on the series. It's only in 6 parts so I wouldn't think it would take me too long to finish it. BUT I have a few other things on the go right now, so I may wait until I've finished those to carry on with it.
Initially I had a little trouble getting into the story but the more I read, the more I liked it. The storyline was a little crazy but I've grown to like Night. He really is being the Absolute Boyfriend.
To me, it's obvious that the next door neighbour likes our girl, but she's being a bit oblivious at the minute.
And then that last page! Her "friend" of all people!
It has definitely made me intrigued enough to carry on the series. It's only in 6 parts so I wouldn't think it would take me too long to finish it. BUT I have a few other things on the go right now, so I may wait until I've finished those to carry on with it.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Good Samaritan in Books
Apr 23, 2019
Not what I expected
I've read a couple of John Marrs' books now and enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to trying this one out as it has an intriguing premise. However it didnt turn out quite how I expected, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
The plot centres around Laura, a suicide helpline worker who finds victims to encourage and help plan their deaths. Laura is a nasty piece of work. It's been a long time since I've read a book with a protagonist that I've detested as much as Laura. She's horrible but in a good way, as you spend most of the book willing her to fail and get her comeuppance. The writing is very good and the other characters in this are also well developed. It's a gripping read and despite being fairly long, i struggled to put this one down.
The problem i found with this though, which I'm still a little uncertain about, is that the story unfolds in a way that I hadn't expected. Around a third of the way in, it switches courses and changes into something that although it isn't bad, it just wasn't expected. And the ending too is a little frustrating and not as satisfying as I would have liked. However if you want to read a book with a truly detestable main character that makes you want to scream (kind of in a good way), then this is definitely worth a read.
The plot centres around Laura, a suicide helpline worker who finds victims to encourage and help plan their deaths. Laura is a nasty piece of work. It's been a long time since I've read a book with a protagonist that I've detested as much as Laura. She's horrible but in a good way, as you spend most of the book willing her to fail and get her comeuppance. The writing is very good and the other characters in this are also well developed. It's a gripping read and despite being fairly long, i struggled to put this one down.
The problem i found with this though, which I'm still a little uncertain about, is that the story unfolds in a way that I hadn't expected. Around a third of the way in, it switches courses and changes into something that although it isn't bad, it just wasn't expected. And the ending too is a little frustrating and not as satisfying as I would have liked. However if you want to read a book with a truly detestable main character that makes you want to scream (kind of in a good way), then this is definitely worth a read.
Debbiereadsbook (1691 KP) rated Abandon Station (Dyson Bridge #1) in Books
May 6, 2024
it finishes on a cliffhanger I did not see coming at me, and I was not prepared!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
So, here's the thing, right?
I am mighty, MIGHTY annoyed at this book. Why? Because I thought it was a complete story, and it's not: it finishes on a cliffhanger I did not see coming at me, and I hate that! I wasn't prepared, I really wasn't, when it ended, and I am not happy.
It was a great read, though! I was fully engrossed in Merida and her people.
In the now Earth, it was a bit technical,but I kinda read those bits and glanced over the technical jargon used. In the NEW Earth, things were more understandable and I could even follow the politics! There's a lot going on that she isn't privy to, and her people are in danger of being stranded.
But peeps? That cliffhanger means I gotta wait to find out if Merida can get home, if she can find all her people from across the globe, and if her ex gets whatever he deserves!
A quick glance, and I cannot see when I might get my hands on book 2, either. So now, I'm doubly annoyed, with a review to write. Why do I put myself through this, you ask? Let me tell you.
To find books and authors like this: out of my comfort zone and new to me. I loved this book, bar that ending and I'm very pleased, as well as annoyed, that I got to read it.
4 most EXCELLENT stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
So, here's the thing, right?
I am mighty, MIGHTY annoyed at this book. Why? Because I thought it was a complete story, and it's not: it finishes on a cliffhanger I did not see coming at me, and I hate that! I wasn't prepared, I really wasn't, when it ended, and I am not happy.
It was a great read, though! I was fully engrossed in Merida and her people.
In the now Earth, it was a bit technical,but I kinda read those bits and glanced over the technical jargon used. In the NEW Earth, things were more understandable and I could even follow the politics! There's a lot going on that she isn't privy to, and her people are in danger of being stranded.
But peeps? That cliffhanger means I gotta wait to find out if Merida can get home, if she can find all her people from across the globe, and if her ex gets whatever he deserves!
A quick glance, and I cannot see when I might get my hands on book 2, either. So now, I'm doubly annoyed, with a review to write. Why do I put myself through this, you ask? Let me tell you.
To find books and authors like this: out of my comfort zone and new to me. I loved this book, bar that ending and I'm very pleased, as well as annoyed, that I got to read it.
4 most EXCELLENT stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Lighthouse Road in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was a very interesting read. It flips back & forth between Thea & her son Odd who is now grown. Thea was an immigrant to the US from Norway in the 1890s so half the story tells of her trials & tribulations adjusting to her life in America. The other half parallels her life in a way by talking about Odd at the same age in his life, with Thea now deceased.
It was amazing to see the similarities between the lives, but also how markedly different they were too. The common thread throughout both generations is Hosea & Rebekah & not always in positive ways.
The characters were very well developed. Their "realness" made them jump off the page & feel like they could be you, as the reader's, distant relatives.
It was amazing to see the similarities between the lives, but also how markedly different they were too. The common thread throughout both generations is Hosea & Rebekah & not always in positive ways.
The characters were very well developed. Their "realness" made them jump off the page & feel like they could be you, as the reader's, distant relatives.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Son (The Giver, #4) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
I very much enjoyed reading this book. Lois Lowry is an amazing writer and I absolutely love the way she builds her world without completely explaining everything. Perhaps it is unfair to not give it five stars but I can’t help but compare all the books in the series to The Giver which is one of my all-time favorites. Having read the whole series I love being able to see the connections between books, the connections in this one being stronger than the others. My only complaint is that now I want more. I was happy with the ambiguous ending to The Giver but now that Lowry has answered some questions about what happened to characters, I find myself needing the rest.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Mummy's Little Secret in Books
Aug 8, 2021
With its engrossing story line and excellent characters, this is a good psychological thriller that had me guessing until the end.
This absorbing and compelling story is told from the "before" and the "now" perspectives with the "before" being told by Jess and Morag and the "now" from the senior investigating officer, DI Mike Ferry. You would think this would be confusing but not in the slightest; what it does do is provide layers of mystery until it all comes together.
I haven't read anything by M.A. Hunter before but if this is anything to go by, I will certainly be looking out for more.
Thanks go to HarperCollins Publishers / One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This absorbing and compelling story is told from the "before" and the "now" perspectives with the "before" being told by Jess and Morag and the "now" from the senior investigating officer, DI Mike Ferry. You would think this would be confusing but not in the slightest; what it does do is provide layers of mystery until it all comes together.
I haven't read anything by M.A. Hunter before but if this is anything to go by, I will certainly be looking out for more.
Thanks go to HarperCollins Publishers / One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Amos in Books
Oct 7, 2020
Amos was a blues musician, but now he has Alzheimer's. In his heyday, he was as popular with the women as was his music. The latter took precedent, and he left them all behind, including their three little girls. But now he needs them.
The main reason I was drawn to this book was its three-author collaboration. I was curious about how this would come together, probably more than I was interested in the stories of these characters.
I'm not sure if this worked as well as it could have, but that doesn't mean it isn't a nicely written book with an interesting story. You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2013/10/03/a-trio-of-girls-and-their-off-key-father/
The main reason I was drawn to this book was its three-author collaboration. I was curious about how this would come together, probably more than I was interested in the stories of these characters.
I'm not sure if this worked as well as it could have, but that doesn't mean it isn't a nicely written book with an interesting story. You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2013/10/03/a-trio-of-girls-and-their-off-key-father/