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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Meg and Jo in Books

Mar 19, 2020  
Meg and Jo
Meg and Jo
Virginia Kantra | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A modern retelling of Little Women, MEG AND JO looks at the four March sisters in present day. We have Meg, a mom of twins, married to a man who works at a car dealership. Jo, an aspiring writer, who works in New York City at a restaurant and writes a food blog. Their sisters, Beth and Amy, flit in the background--Beth is pursuing her musical dreams and Amy is chasing fashion in Paris. But when the girls' stalwart mom gets sick, they must come home for the holidays to help at the family farm. There they will learn lessons about family, sisterhood, and following their dreams.

This one grew on me. It's not as jarring as I expected to see the girls in real time--I actually enjoyed that aspect. What's odd is that while the modern setting exists, there are a lot of outdated gender norms. Meg has to be the perfect mom who refuses help from everyone; the girls' father is basically worthless, etc. It's hard to overcome at first.

But I eventually took to Meg and Jo. I liked Jo's feisty nature, even if some of the problem/distance with her chef/boyfriend seemed a bit contrived. And I could identify with Meg, who felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders (twin moms unite).

Overall, this is a sweet and funny story. It's silly at times, but also heartwarming. I enjoyed seeing where Kantra tweaked the plot (there's a piece with the March patriarch that I particularly enjoyed). It's no Eligible--perhaps my favorite modern retelling of all--but it's a fun read. I've heard there may be a second book featuring Beth and Amy, and I would certainly read it. 3.5 stars.
  
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Paradox (Tessa Avery #2)
Paradox (Tessa Avery #2)
Lucy Roy | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
170 of 200
Kindle
Paradox ( Tessa Avery book 2)
By Lucy Roy

What do you do when you discover centuries of your life have been taken from you? When you die in the midst of one war, only to wake up in the middle of a new one?

But more than that, how do you reconcile having lived two lives, each with their own memories, promises, and regrets without losing yourself?

Now, I’ve been irrevocably changed. I can’t simply go back to being Tessa, Titaness of Olympus, any more than I can go back to being Tessa Lynn Avery of Renville, Pennsylvania. Somehow, I have to be both.

With the help of family and friends, both new and old at my side, I'll gradually learn to be the Titaness I was born to be. But first I have to rescue my brother, and that’s easier said than done, when Olympus is faced with something far bigger than any had imagined.

The war has begun.
I really enjoy this series I’m a huge fan of books using the Greek gods as long as it’s written well and this is! We see Tessa dealing with he titaness memories and learning to build her walls while fighting off her brother and trying to stop her father being released form his cage! So many emotions and learning curve for her aswell as Nathaniel. They deal with all this when all the gods around them insist on interfering. Tessa is is strong character! The story just rolls over so well you find yourself reall screaming her in from the sideline!
I only have to contend with normal brothers imagine have 1 ready to tourture and kill you, one locked himself in a cave blaming himself for your death and the twins treating you like China! Think I’d crack x
  
Academy Arcanist (Astra Academy #1)
Academy Arcanist (Astra Academy #1)
Shami Stovall | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great start to a series that returns me to a world I love.
ACADEMY ARCANIST is the first book in the Astra Academy series. If you have read the Frith Chronicles, then you will be familiar with this world of Arcanists and Eldrins. I loved that series, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one and I wasn't disappointed!

Gray and Sorin are fantastic characters; twins that are very different from each other but share a deep brotherly bond. At thirteen years old, Gray is attacked in his dreams but his parents don't believe him. A professor from Astra Academy saves him and he spends time with her in his dreams, learning about the Arcanists. When he is fifteen, he and Sorin head to the Academy, desperate to find an eldrin of their own. But when he meets Professor Helmith, Gray knows something is wrong. This isn't the same professor he met in his dreams.

I loved this story! It's a long one but I read it in one sitting as I was literally unable to move at the time. It took me all day but I loved every word and was swept away in the story. The supporting characters all have their own foibles and quirks, and I look forward to learning more about each of them as the series progresses. It is well-paced, giving you plenty of action as well as quiet times to process just what's going on.

A great start to a series that returns me to a world I love. I can't wait for more. Highly recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Merissa (13159 KP) rated Odriel's Heirs (Odriel's Heirs #1) in Books

Jul 29, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Odriel's Heirs (Odriel's Heirs #1)
Odriel's Heirs (Odriel's Heirs #1)
Hayley Reese Chow | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ODRIEL'S HEIRS is the first book in the series of the same name, and we are introduced to a fantasy world where the Heirs are there to protect the people, even when the people no longer believe in them.

Kaia is only seventeen and wants to be a normal girl. She is the Dragon's Heir by only six minutes, being the first-born of a set of twins. She gets on well with Time's Heir, Jago, but not so much with the Shadow's Heir, Klaus. Of course, I was immediately hoping for something to happen, because, you know, it's me.

I was swept away in a world familiar to me and yet so different. I loved the names of the animals, giving me unique creatures that were, at the same time, familiar. The world-building is second to none and the vistas were amazing.

There is a romantic element between Kaia and Klaus but it doesn't take over the whole story - just enough to keep me happy. They are ably supported by a host of characters with their own foibles. Most of whom I liked, some I loved, and some I loathed.

This was an emotional read and I will admit to having tears in my eyes on more than one occasion. I won't say more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, but it was everything I could have wished for, even as my heart broke.

A fabulous start to a series that I have loved and have no hesitation in recommending. Absolutely fantastic!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 28, 2021