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Dividing Eden
Dividing Eden
Joelle Charbonneau | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting world (0 more)
Too many YA tropes (0 more)
Dividing Eden is a little trite - it's the typical teens must compete for the throne kind of fantasy, but this time it's twins who are both guarding each other's terrible secrets. You don't LEARN their terrible secrets until almost 100 pages in, which was frustrating because they were alluded to multiple times before finally revealed to the reader. I almost stopped reading, I was so frustrated at the mention - AGAIN - of Andreus' DARK SECRET THAT NO ONE MUST EVER KNOW. Seriously. Don't do that to your readers.

The fact that they were protecting each other's secret while competing against each other for the throne was rather unique, and while I don't like Andreus much, I did enjoy Carys and her friends enough that I'll probably pick up the sequel when it comes out this June.

Everything happened very quickly, but that tends to be the case in YA. Adult fantasy seems to take its time and develop its characters more fully, which I enjoy.

The windmills and electricity was surprising, and I'd really like to know more about their religion of Virtues, and the Wind and Seeing Magic. I wish she had described her forest monsters a little earlier; they were only referred to by name for most of the book and I was left wondering if they were monsters or human raiders of some sort!

Verdict is - it's typical YA fantasy. If you're looking for a quick read, you might enjoy it.
  
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)
Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)
Kendare Blake | 2011 | Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
6
7.0 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>Anna Dressed in Blood</b> is a good book but I wasn't blown away by it. I was interested in it because the synopsis reminded me of Supernatural (the television series), aside from the obvious differences, so along with the awesome cover art I was all for the book. It's unfortunate that I didn't enjoy it more. The characterizations are fine, just detailed enough to give an impression of who they are and why they act as they do, I just didn't feel much of a connection to any of them. The plot worked until the focus shifted away from Anna about two-thirds through, which is a shame, and some of the dialogue was a little iffy and forced, especially in the beginning. I can't quite say why else the book didn't totally work for me, other than there were a few moments that felt off somehow, but either I was really into the story or I wasn't. Sorry I can't be more specific. Although the author writes some mean scenes that have the perfect creepy atmosphere, so those stand out as a big pro. Now I see that this might be the start of yet another YA paranormal series, though it's perfectly fine as a standalone and as I'm not all that interested in reading more with these characters, I think I'll pass if there are any sequels. With all that said, take this review with a grain of salt, I think others, and definitely teens, would like this book more than I did.
  
Trial by Patience (The Trials #3)
Trial by Patience (The Trials #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Danny Solomon operates Break Away Acres, an equine therapy center for abused kids and teens. As a former abuse victim, Danny knows how important it is to let these kids know that someone still cares. God has blessed Danny with a gift: the ability to see the past of anyone who meets his eye. The information he is given through this gift allows him to know how he might best help those around him. Phoenix Nichols is Danny’s new trail guide. Her job is to help with the horses and keep an eye on the kids. With a past more painful than anything Danny has ever encountered, he finds himself unable to resist trying to help. When her past becomes her present, her trust in Danny is the only link she has to finding God…and peace.



My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story about healing. It teaches us not to judge people, not knowing what their life events have been or where it's taken them. This story introduces the readers to equine therapy which allows the abused learn to trust and love again.


The characters in the story were very believable and the reader feels empathy for them. The writer engages the reader and keeps the storyline moving. It was a joy to read. It is also a story about turning to God and trusting Him in everything.


This is a great story for those who love horses and cowboys. It may even lead to an interest in equine therapy.
  
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
1984 | Horror
8
7.2 (21 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Sleepaway Camp 1984: Not The Final Chapter
Well its been a good Friday The 13th, i reviewed Parts 2 and 3, and to conculded Friday The 13th, I though reviewing Part IV aka The Final Chapter aka Not The Final Chapter. Siskel and Ebert said it perfectly in their review of this movie, that even though its called "The Final Chapter", it wont be the final chapter, their will be more to come, cause it gets alot of money.

Also my third favorite charcter is in this movie and that's Crispin Glover's charcter. Behind Jason and Shelby of course. I also like the kills in this movie. Axel- throat slit, and head turned around. Paul- Spear in the crotch, Jimmy- he stabbed him with a corkscrew and a meat clever.

Part IV- recaps parts 1, 2, and 3. Which is great, telling the story about Jason and showing his kills.

And of course you cant forget about Tommy Jarvis. This started, his trilogy. Tommy is my 4th favorite charcter.

The plot: A carefree lakeside vacation is interrupted by the re-emergence of killer Jason Voorhees (Ted White). After he escapes from a morgue, leaving bodies in his wake, Jason travels to Camp Crystal Lake where a group of friends is staying. The teens meet some locals: Tommy (Corey Feldman) and Trish (Kimberly Beck), as well as secretive hiker Rob (Erich Anderson). As the group of teenagers engages in drunken debauchery, their numbers begin to dwindle, and pieces of the past resurface.

See next Friday The 13th.