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Rachel King (13 KP) rated Keridan's Journey in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I stopped reading this book at page 88. I just could not stand the blatant lack of proper grammar and punctuation so prevalent on every page. Since I could not understand how something so bad could actually get published, I looked up the "book imprint" and realized that this is self-publishing at its worst. Michelle Peterson runs an art website and teaches art, then conceives of the idea to write her own book and create her own Imprint so that the book can be considered published. Really??
There are so many examples of bad grammar in this book, I don't know where to begin. Commas are so lacking, I want to cry. Specifically, when using prepositions or preposition-like modifiers, commas are needed. Also, compound sentences require the use of a comma. You would be surprised at how much a simple comma allows the reader to garner the true meaning of a sentence. Another example that illustrates how badly this book needed an editor is found on page 86: "I was left to wonder wear my tough skin went." Yes, you read that correctly.
Another huge problem I had with the book is the author's complete disregard for the writer's tool of "show, don't tell." While I understand that sometimes the rule can be disregarded, this book lacks in "showing" so much that I have no connection to any of the characters, and none of the events transpiring can compel any interest or emotional response in me. For example, on page 13, Keridan is thrust into a dream to speak with her mother. It reads "The smells, the colors are only this vibrant in a dream." That's it. No description, no picture painted with words, nothing is detailed, except in the most basic of words, such as "forest grove with flowers", "fairy dress", etc. I don't know what any of the characters look like, nor can I tell the difference between any of them.
I usually love fantasy, especially because of the imaginative descriptions that defy reality and convention, but (see? Comma!) even with a great concept of using the Greek myths of Sirens to build a world, this book is too disappointing and frustrating to be worth my time and energy. In all honesty, this book reads like a first draft of a novel after NanoWrimo -- messy, disorderly, and badly in need of a rewrite.
There are so many examples of bad grammar in this book, I don't know where to begin. Commas are so lacking, I want to cry. Specifically, when using prepositions or preposition-like modifiers, commas are needed. Also, compound sentences require the use of a comma. You would be surprised at how much a simple comma allows the reader to garner the true meaning of a sentence. Another example that illustrates how badly this book needed an editor is found on page 86: "I was left to wonder wear my tough skin went." Yes, you read that correctly.
Another huge problem I had with the book is the author's complete disregard for the writer's tool of "show, don't tell." While I understand that sometimes the rule can be disregarded, this book lacks in "showing" so much that I have no connection to any of the characters, and none of the events transpiring can compel any interest or emotional response in me. For example, on page 13, Keridan is thrust into a dream to speak with her mother. It reads "The smells, the colors are only this vibrant in a dream." That's it. No description, no picture painted with words, nothing is detailed, except in the most basic of words, such as "forest grove with flowers", "fairy dress", etc. I don't know what any of the characters look like, nor can I tell the difference between any of them.
I usually love fantasy, especially because of the imaginative descriptions that defy reality and convention, but (see? Comma!) even with a great concept of using the Greek myths of Sirens to build a world, this book is too disappointing and frustrating to be worth my time and energy. In all honesty, this book reads like a first draft of a novel after NanoWrimo -- messy, disorderly, and badly in need of a rewrite.
The Fox and The Crow - Interactive Children's Story Book HD
Book and Education
App
>>> The famous fable comes to life with engaging animations and stunning interactions >>> HD...
Jack and the Beanstalk - Interactive Children's Story Book HD
Book and Education
App
Jack and the Beanstalk is a beautiful interactive & magical production of the famous English...
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jun 27, 2017
How I learned to Love Reading
I'll be honest I tend to gush over any Harry Potter book because before this series came into my life I refused to read, so it'll always have a special place in my heart.
Though the first book is brilliant. A child can learn he or she is not limited by this world if they are willing to put an effort towards their dreams and do not allow anyone to hold them back. A child can learn how to treat others and how we put ourselves off can alter how people see us. Most of all, a child enters the world where life seems it will amount to nothing and yet Harry enters a magical world he could never dream of (if we forget about Voldemort).
Most of all, parents can enjoy the book and series with their children. This could be reading it together or simply the parent reflecting back on the story as their young child reads it. There are many discussions to be had as well.
Certainly a book you could read over and over again.
Though the first book is brilliant. A child can learn he or she is not limited by this world if they are willing to put an effort towards their dreams and do not allow anyone to hold them back. A child can learn how to treat others and how we put ourselves off can alter how people see us. Most of all, a child enters the world where life seems it will amount to nothing and yet Harry enters a magical world he could never dream of (if we forget about Voldemort).
Most of all, parents can enjoy the book and series with their children. This could be reading it together or simply the parent reflecting back on the story as their young child reads it. There are many discussions to be had as well.
Certainly a book you could read over and over again.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Spilled Blood in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won an ARC of this book from First Reads.
This is the first Brian Freeman book I've ever read. Now that I'm done with it I feel like I've been missing out on a fantastic author! This book was so well written! It had colorful but realistic & well developed characters. The suspense was top notch. The conclusion was fast paced & 1 that I did not see coming in the least. So many books like this turn out to be too predictable. Thankfully this one was not!
Spilled Blood tells the story of Olivia Hawk, a high schooler who is arrested for murdering another high school girl. The evidence points strongly to her, both in the physical evidence from the scene & from the gossip around town. In sweeps her dad, a lawyer, who beings to slowly unravel the mysteries of the crime while struggling with the ever present, "Did she do it?" question. I hate to say much more than that for fear of ruining a fantastic plot!
This book had action, mystery, big companies, cancer, cover-ups, and bombs all covered yet still managed to throw in a good romance without feeling forced. This was an AMAZING read!!
This is the first Brian Freeman book I've ever read. Now that I'm done with it I feel like I've been missing out on a fantastic author! This book was so well written! It had colorful but realistic & well developed characters. The suspense was top notch. The conclusion was fast paced & 1 that I did not see coming in the least. So many books like this turn out to be too predictable. Thankfully this one was not!
Spilled Blood tells the story of Olivia Hawk, a high schooler who is arrested for murdering another high school girl. The evidence points strongly to her, both in the physical evidence from the scene & from the gossip around town. In sweeps her dad, a lawyer, who beings to slowly unravel the mysteries of the crime while struggling with the ever present, "Did she do it?" question. I hate to say much more than that for fear of ruining a fantastic plot!
This book had action, mystery, big companies, cancer, cover-ups, and bombs all covered yet still managed to throw in a good romance without feeling forced. This was an AMAZING read!!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Vices in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
The Vices is a story of the Vice family. A clinically depressed clan who also happen to be pathological liars, art forgers, smugglers, & extortionists. The main character in the book, Oliver Vice, is actually dead when the story is written. It's told from the point of view of his "best friend" a fellow college professor. The friend recounts the mysterious story of Oliver's death & then flashes back to occurances throughout their friendship.
In the end, all is not as it is originally presented. The family is a sham. At first the why of this story seems obvious...in the end there were parts I was right about & portions where I was completly off base. Those portions are what were able to let me rate this a 3. Nothing really happens in this book yet at the same time a family is torn to shreds without there really being a result...unless of course you view Oliver's death as suicide, then you could conceviably argue that the death stems from the lies his family maintained.
The Vices is a story of the Vice family. A clinically depressed clan who also happen to be pathological liars, art forgers, smugglers, & extortionists. The main character in the book, Oliver Vice, is actually dead when the story is written. It's told from the point of view of his "best friend" a fellow college professor. The friend recounts the mysterious story of Oliver's death & then flashes back to occurances throughout their friendship.
In the end, all is not as it is originally presented. The family is a sham. At first the why of this story seems obvious...in the end there were parts I was right about & portions where I was completly off base. Those portions are what were able to let me rate this a 3. Nothing really happens in this book yet at the same time a family is torn to shreds without there really being a result...unless of course you view Oliver's death as suicide, then you could conceviably argue that the death stems from the lies his family maintained.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Foremost Good Fortune in Books
Jan 15, 2018
So I am not usually big fan of memoirs. I won this book from First Reads & only entered the giveaway because it said something about cancer. Unfortunatly I know too many people who have been diagnosed with it. All of them have fought bravely, some have won the battle but some have lost it too.
This book was interesting on many fronts. I was fascinated to read about life in China & how the author & her family adapted to China. They were just beginning to feel comfortable there, when I author was diagnosed with breast cancer. The book follows their journey through China, the US & back to China. I was entranced with Conley's descriptions of her battle with cancer. I have watched people fight this from the outside & thankfully have not had to experience from the other side. Her thoughts & descriptions gave me a peek into what a cancer patient goes through.
My heart went out to her & her family. I was rooting for her & them through the entire ordeal. I hope she continues to live a long, happy, & healthy life. I look forward to reading more from her!
This book was interesting on many fronts. I was fascinated to read about life in China & how the author & her family adapted to China. They were just beginning to feel comfortable there, when I author was diagnosed with breast cancer. The book follows their journey through China, the US & back to China. I was entranced with Conley's descriptions of her battle with cancer. I have watched people fight this from the outside & thankfully have not had to experience from the other side. Her thoughts & descriptions gave me a peek into what a cancer patient goes through.
My heart went out to her & her family. I was rooting for her & them through the entire ordeal. I hope she continues to live a long, happy, & healthy life. I look forward to reading more from her!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Probability of Miracles in Books
Jan 15, 2018
If you read a lot of books like I do, you know by now that you can't always trust what the back cover says. Someone comes up with a way to make even the crappiest book seem like it is the most well written, entertaining piece of literature you'll ever see. Well...I can happily say that the back cover of Wendy Wunder's book does not lie, especially the part that says, "...will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn on the page."
This book tells the story of Campbell, a 16 year old dying from cancer. Her mom, in one last effort to save her life, decides to move the family the family to Promise, Maine. A town that is said to produce miracles by the truck load. The book follows Cam through her journey in Promise and lets the reader watch her slowly realize that miracles can and do happen, even if they aren't the miracle you came looking for.
I won an ARC of this book on First Reads and am I ever glad I did! I will be sure to suggest it to anyone who is willing to listen!
This book tells the story of Campbell, a 16 year old dying from cancer. Her mom, in one last effort to save her life, decides to move the family the family to Promise, Maine. A town that is said to produce miracles by the truck load. The book follows Cam through her journey in Promise and lets the reader watch her slowly realize that miracles can and do happen, even if they aren't the miracle you came looking for.
I won an ARC of this book on First Reads and am I ever glad I did! I will be sure to suggest it to anyone who is willing to listen!
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Forgotten Recipe (Amish Heirloom, #1) in Books
Feb 25, 2019
Amy Clipston has brought her fans yet another captivating, fun ride. I truly enjoyed reading this start to her Amish Heirloom series. Her words, her characters, her story line all combine to create a read you won't be able to put down! I know I couldn't, as I read it in a day!
I loved Veronica and Jason's characters. Both went through something emotional and tragic, and both had a fear in their heart. Watching them together, feeling like I was right there in the middle of Amish country with them, was so fun. Each page turn brought something to the book and kept me hooked the whole time.
I definitely recommend this book by the amazingly talented Amy Clipston. She knows just what her readers want and delivers. This story is filled with God's grace and love, and characters that will steal your heart. But, be warned! Ms. Clipston's 5 star worthy work is absolutely addictive and will leave you hungry for more. I can't wait to read book 2! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=12646"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
I loved Veronica and Jason's characters. Both went through something emotional and tragic, and both had a fear in their heart. Watching them together, feeling like I was right there in the middle of Amish country with them, was so fun. Each page turn brought something to the book and kept me hooked the whole time.
I definitely recommend this book by the amazingly talented Amy Clipston. She knows just what her readers want and delivers. This story is filled with God's grace and love, and characters that will steal your heart. But, be warned! Ms. Clipston's 5 star worthy work is absolutely addictive and will leave you hungry for more. I can't wait to read book 2! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=12646"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
This won’t be a long review since this is a short book. If you are a pastor or church counselor, this book would be a great addition to your shelves or office. It’s a book that is filled with great information for those seeking help with their mental illnesses. It’s filled with Biblical sections and will help them better understand ways to help. The pages within give you a better understanding of the illnesses and what psych meds are used to help them.
Since I am not a pastor or a church counselor I can’t give this more than 3.5 stars since I am not into this type of book. However, that said, I am recommending this book to those that are in the clergy of the churches to help with those that come to them. You will gain good Biblical insight, along with good medical insight to help. Hats off to Dr. Emlet on creating an informative book for the churches.
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Since I am not a pastor or a church counselor I can’t give this more than 3.5 stars since I am not into this type of book. However, that said, I am recommending this book to those that are in the clergy of the churches to help with those that come to them. You will gain good Biblical insight, along with good medical insight to help. Hats off to Dr. Emlet on creating an informative book for the churches.
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*