Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Second Nature in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
SN
Second Nature
Jacquelyn Mitchard | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh my gosh! This is the first book I've ever read of Jacquelyn Mitchard's & all I can say is WOW!!! I adored this book from the very first chapter! It was funny & heartbreaking, weak & strong, tender & harsh all at once.
   Second Nature tells the story of Sicily Coyne. It begins by telling you about the day her life changed forever, she was 10. A fire broke out at her church trapping children inside. Who should rush in to save them but her father? She survives, kind of. But her dad isn't so lucky. I say she sort of survives because she is alive, but her face has literally been burned off of her.
   She spends 13 years basically in hiding because she is so scarred. Then a chance phone conversation dramatically changes her life again.
   The book really gets going from that point on Sicily, having faced the worst scenarios life can throw at someone, is once again faced with a life altering choice. The story centers around her choice & the way it impacts her & the lives of the people she surrounds herself with. This story was incredibly moving! It is almost too horrific to even be believable, but I still found myself rooting for her through the entire thing. You can't help but love her & yes, even envy her at times in this book.
   She is truly one of those characters that is unforgettable. A strong, determined woman even when it seems like the entire world is out to get her.
  
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class=" wp-image-15770 aligncenter" src="https://covertocovercafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ReviewBanner.png"; alt="" width="498" height="176" />It was so good to get back to a Kathleen Fuller novel. I haven't read one in a bit, and this was a refreshing jump back to her work. This is the first in a what's sure to be a wonderful series, and every minute of this book had me hooked.

From the start, I loved Ruby's character. I saw a lot of myself in her, and I really felt connected with her. Watching her, following her story, seeing how hard she tries to do good, but something always fails, it all really had me turning the pages long into the night.

When Christian enters the picture, the story just gets that much better! The quirks of the story really shine through him, making this a story that had me laughing out loud, cheering for him and Ruby and praying that they get what they want.

This book is definitely a 4 star book. If you want a quick, fast paced read and one that will instantly hook you, look no further. Ms. Fuller's books are filled with hope, laughter, beautifully chiseled characters and a tender message that will leave you wanting more. I can't wait to see the next book in the series! Well done, Ms. Fuller! Well done!</p>

I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
  
40x40

Rob P (30 KP) rated Legend in Books

May 6, 2019 (Updated May 6, 2019)  
L
Legend
David Gemmell | 1984 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Classic Good vs. Evil narrative (2 more)
basically one big battle scene
epic in scope
Fairly short (IMO) (0 more)
I think this may have been the very first fantasy book I read, at the tender age of maybe 11-12.

As such, I'm always going to view this title with rose-tinted glasses as it was my warm welcome to the world of heroic fantasy.

Here's the plot outline - Druss is a badass with a big axe, who's known throughout the world as such.

He believes he is to die in his 60th year after seeing a vision in his younger days, which he now is. Living in isolation after the death of his wife, he has sworn never to fight again.

Meanwhile, a warlord named Ulric, leader of a warring, tribal people known as the Nadir has united the feuding clans and amassed an army bigger than any that exist in the south, and he is coming to stamp his rule on the Drenai empire.

In order to get from north to south, he must pass the ancient fortress of Dros Delnoch. This is the battle ground.

Druss, having heard of the army one million strong heading to crush his people, Druss decides it's once more unto the breach, and travels to the doomed fortress to make his last stand with the forces there.

Lots of engaging characters, moral qualms, and of course visceral battle scenes full of heroics, this is a classic tale of underdog army vs army.

I just bloody love it.

- Rob
  
What Unbreakable Looks Like
What Unbreakable Looks Like
Kate McLaughlin | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This amazing, heartbreaking and powerful book blew my mind. It tugged at my heartstrings and will stay with me for quite some time. This is a must-read, everyone.

Lex is human trafficked and becomes Poppy, kept in a hotel with other girls with flower names. But then the girls are rescued, and Poppy must try to become Lex again. She moves in with her aunt and uncle—a place where’s she’s truly safe for the first time in a long time. But she’s been so hurt and broken and has a hard time trusting or believing she deserves anything good in her life. When she’s sexually assaulted by her boyfriend, Lex has to reckon with the fact that this isn’t something she deserves because of her past.

This book broke my heart and then patched it back together. McLaughlin writes Lex in such a way that she jumps off the page—a realistic, amazing, and wonderful heroine learning to be in charge of her own story. She covers human trafficking in its stark reality and yet this story is hopeful and tender. I loved the character of Lex, as well as her aunt, Krys. Knowing that Lex has been conditioned to think she deserves to be treated badly just breaks your heart--thinking sex is her only power, all she's worth. The way McLaughlin shows how human trafficking has destroyed Lex and distorted her self-image is one of the most powerful things I've read in ages.

This book blew me away. All the stars.
  
I Love You Daddy
I Love You Daddy
Roger Carlson | 2019 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I found a book about a father and daughter relationship. It is a good one; It shows how father and daughter relationships change as the daughter grows up. It shows the father being patient and encouraging, and supporting the daughter.

This book hit a tender spot with me. It reminds me of what I missed from my dad growing up. However, I have a better relationship now than I did growing up. I missed that from my dad. This book shows those parenting tips; I do see the personal story behind this book. The dad and the daughter can transpire swapped out for your child or the child's father. There are some excellent tips in the back of the book for the father.

The book does teach children some life lessons and what the relationship is between father and daughter. Remember parents that daughters will look at their dad or father as their first male relationship as they grow up and look for that in a male partner when they grow up.

So dad out there, be careful what you teach your daughter as they grow up. If you are a good model or a wrong model, your daughter will see that and look for those in a partner later on in life. This book focuses on father and daughter and their relationship.

Great for fathers day and gifting it to dad and fathers to be. It is a resource for parents and fathers. It is also suitable for children. It's a book for daughter and father and building a relationship together.