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Book Review: The Girl Without A Name
Author: Sandra Block Release Date: September 8, 2015 Series: None specified Genre: Mystery|Psychological Thriller|Suspence Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 368 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Source: NetGalley invitation by Tiffany Sanchez Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Another gripping pageturner featuring psychiatrist Zoe Goldman, the protagonist from Little Black Lies.
In what passes for an ordinary day in a psych ward, Dr. Zoe Goldman is stumped when a highly unusual case arrives. A young African American girl, found wandering the streets of Buffalo in a catatonic state, is brought in by police. No one has come forward to claim her, and all leads have been exhausted, so Zoe’s treatment is the last hope to discover the girl’s identity.
When drugs prove ineffective and medical science seems to be failing, Zoe takes matters into her own hands to track down Jane Doe’s family and piece together their checkered history. As she unearths their secrets, she finds that monsters hide where they are least expected. And now she must solve the mystery before it is too late. Because someone wants to make sure this young girl never remembers.
The Girl Without a Name is a powerful novel of memory and forgetting, of unexpected friendship and understanding…and of the secrets we protect no matter the consequences.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
In one sentence- I enjoyed reading Girl Without A Name. Though it wasn’t a complete thriller, still it had its moments where it really stood out. It’s a slow paced story taking the reader through the ups and downs in the life and times of Dr. Zoe Goldman, which I must agree, was quite interesting.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the mystery and how all the small-small elements that snaked around the main plot, came together at the end beautifully making complete sense. Even though I’m a little bit disappointed with the fact that it was a subtle read and not a mind-boggling thriller, I still enjoyed this book, mainly because the ending took me by surprise. And that’s really rare! So, I really like this book.
Characters:
Dr. Zoe Goldman is a memorable character. I really enjoyed her witty nature and stark comments. She felt like a real character and the idea of showing her so vulnerable really managed to make a place in my heart for her (as a character.)
I’ll be reading the prequel to this one soon as I’d like to know what really happened with Dr. Zoe in the previous part.
Romance:
There was no romance worth mentioning but there was quite a lot of emotional stuff involving Zoe, her brother, and her deceased mother. The emotional angle added up to the advantage of the book in terms of character development, as it really added a new layer to Zoe’s character.
Writing:
The writing is simple and subtle and it made reading this book a pleasant experience. It’s good enough that I won’t mind trying out other books by Sandra Block.
Begining:
I was drawn into this book right from the very start. I really enjoyed the quirky banterings of Dr. Zoe. Her wit kept me entertained for the better part of the book. The starting of this book gave me an impression that there is going to be one hell-raiser of a mystery in the later part of the book but, to my annoyance, there wasn’t.
Ending:
The book ended with a real bang but, as I just said, I was expecting a lot more. I initially thought of this book as a thriller mystery but as it turned out it was just a mystery (with nothing really thrilling about it.) And that too a cozy mystery at that. Still the book managed to surprise me at the end, so there’s that to look forward to.
Blurb:
The blurb is good enough, though, I feel that it does give a slight impression that this book is a fast-paced thriller (or maybe it’s just me.)
Cover Art:
The cover art could have been a lot better but considering it’s a mystery read, the fog on the cover really does give an apt impression of the genre (at least.)
Other Stuff
Opening Line: We call her Jane, because she can’t tell us her name.
Highlights: The ending.
Lowlights: Slow pace of the story.
Final Thoughts: A slow paced, enjoyable mystery read.
TRB’s Year In Book Reviews (2015)
Hello, everyone.
2015 has been an excellent year and in order to say goodbye to this amazing year, I have decided to do a post listing all our reviews in 2015. So here it is, but before we begin, I’d like to thank the review contributors of TRB.
This year I spent almost 4 complete months writing and editing my novel, Decieved, I was short on time fulfilling all the review requests and it was then that these review contributors really helped me keep TRB flooded with reviews. So a big THANK YOU to all the review contributors (even those who are no longer doing reviews for TRB.) You guys have been a really great help to me!
Special thanks to Galit and Heather. You guys rock! ❤
Also, a big THANK YOU to all the lovely readers of TRB. Thanks for all you Likes, Comments, and Support. You are the soul of this blog ❤
Here are the books that we reviewed at TRB in 2015:
Reviews by me (Heena):
Book Review: Neverland
Author: Shari Arnold Release Date: April 7, 2015 Series: - Genre: Retelling | Fairytale | Young Adult | Fantasy | Contemporary | Romance Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 359 Publisher: Patchwork Press Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
It’s been four months since seventeen-year-old Livy Cloud lost her younger sister, but she isn’t quite ready to move on with her life — not even close. She’d rather spend her time at the Seattle Children’s hospital, reading to the patients and holding onto memories of the sister who was everything to her and more.
But when she meets the mysterious and illusive Meyer she is drawn into a world of adventure, a world where questions abound.
Is she ready to live life without her sister? Or more importantly, is she brave enough to love again?
In this modern-day reimagining of Peter Pan, will Livy lose herself to Neverland or will she find what she’s been searching for?
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
Neverland is a fairytale retelling of Peterpan and as far as I’m concerned this is the best book I’ve read so far in the fantasy genre. It has a dreamlike imagery which will leave you craving and begging for more.
The pace of the story was perfect, not too fast, not too slow. I was able to not only read the story in front of me but was also able to live it forgetting everything around me.
This book is literally unputdownable and I love it so much that it has made its place at the top of my all-time favorites! I’ve already read it twice now and I’ll be re-reading it again soon.
Characters:
I absolutely adore the lead characters of Livy and Meyer, so much so that I guess I’m in love with Meyer! The relationship between Livy and Meyer developed slowly and beautifully. The vulnerability of Livy added more depth to each and every aspect of the story.
I wanted to cry when Livy felt hurt and wanted to do a happy dance whenever she got a positive response from Meyer. I even blushed a dozen times while reading about Livy and Meyer’s small interactions.
Romance:
The beautiful budding romance between Livy and Meyer was nothing less than magical. It was slow and cute love that started as an odd friendship but developed into something more special. The thing that made their relationship so magical is the subtlety of feelings beautifully expressed by the author.
Writing:
Shari Arnold’s writing style is so simple that it flows smoothly throughout the book. I enjoyed reading this book mainly because of the uncomplicated writing style. I didn’t just read this book, but I was really able to live it (and that’s something.)
Beginning:
The book started beautifully with Livy reading Peter Pan for children in a hospital. How can anyone not get emotionally involved right from the start with this kind of a start! I was swept right off my feet from the very first page. And as the story progressed I lost myself completely in the beautiful world of Livy and Meyer.
Ending:
Ahh… the ending. At first, I was like:
But then after a few minutes, I thought about it and realized that it was for the best and that the ending couldn’t have been better. Yes, it wasn’t a straight out happy one, but it was realistic and, more importantly, acceptable. After being swept off by this story I really dreaded to know the end, but the author, Shari Arnold, really surprised me with a well-balanced ending.
Cover Art:
The cover art of this book is simply awesome. The colors are so pretty and subtle and the minimalistic design makes it a great cover.
Blurb:
The blurb is perfect and gives a fair idea of what to expect from the book. I picked it up from NetGalley after reading the blurb itself, so yeah, it totally worked for me, and I’m sure it’ll definitely get anyone else’s attention as well!
Other Stuff
Opening Line: It’s just before dinnertime at the Seatle Children’s Hospital.
Highlights: Storyline.
Lowlights: None.
Memorable Quotes:
Their eyes are wide and curious, and I love that. If I focus on their eyes I can forget the disease each one carries around like a nametag.
I’ve found that death makes people uncomfortable, while the death of a child clears the room altogether.
God doesn’t save children around here. Sometimes it feels as if he’s collecting them.
Memorable Paragraph:
Jenna slides up closer to me, her excitement a temperature that keeps me warm. She and Alice are spell-bound. They’re the reason I love to tell stories. It doesn’t matter how often they’ve heard it, or that they already know what will happen next. A story is a story. It takes you away from what you’re doing and how you’re living right then, and whisks you away into someone else’s world.
Final Thoughts: This book is pure AWESOMENESS!!!
Book Review: A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story
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Author: A.J. York Release Date: December 1, 2015 Series: None Genre: Children's Fantasy|Fairytales|Magic|Middlegrade| Edition: Ebook (mobi) Pages: 31 Publisher: Nova Sky Books Source: Author (Thanks, Jen!) Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
A fully illustrated Christmas story that will make your heart sing!
Upstairs in the Anderson’s attic there is chatter coming from the Christmas, Easter and Halloween boxes. Someone new has arrived. Tallulah the Christmas Fairy wakes to find herself attached to the top of a tree. She soon makes friends and has a magical first Christmas. Once the festivities are over, Tallulah finds herself in the attic with the other decorations from Easter and Halloween. Each year they watch the seasons change as they wait excitedly for their turn to go downstairs. Until one day new boxes appear and then the unthinkable happens. A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story is a magical and uplifting tale for the whole family.
Rating
Review
A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story is a beautiful book that gives us a peek in the lives of the various decorations (that we assume to be non-living) such as Christmas decorations, Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving decorations, etc. and even a few toys.
It’s a heart melting story about how the decorations get all super-excited as their time of the year comes and how, when the festival ends, they get sad as they are stowed away in the attic. How they wait for the seasons to proceed and for their festival to come so that they can again be hung or placed downstairs and can finally see the family and the world outside (through the windows.)
The story is told from the POV of princess Tallulah, who is a new addition to the Anderson’s Christmas decorations. She sits at the top of the Christmas tree and makes loads of friends over time. And as the years go by all the decorations grow extremely close to each other and finally all the events lead up to the most amazing Christmas ever. (I won’t say anything further as it is a surprise after all!)
This story is so beautiful that not only children but adults will also enjoy it thoroughly. It’s a fairly quick read and will be a nice gift to give it your kids this Christmas. (I know I’m a little late, but what the heck, it’s still holiday season.)
In the Christmas spirit, here’s some magic for all the readers of TRB:
Book Trailer
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Tallulah had no idea she was alive. At least, not straight away.
Highlights: Awe-inspiring story.
Lowlights: None.
Final Thoughts: A magical read!
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Book Review: Quiet Neighbours
Author: Catriona McPherson Release Date: April 6, 2016 Series: None Genre: Mystery Edition: Ebook (mobi) Pages: 336 Publisher: Midnight Ink Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
It’s the oldest bookshop in a town full of bookshops; rambling and disordered, full of treasures if you look hard. Jude found one of the treasures when she visited last summer, the high point of a miserable vacation. Now, in the depths of winter, when she has to run away, Lowell’s chaotic bookshop in that backwater of a town is the safe place she runs to.
Jude needs a bolt-hole; Lowell needs an assistant and, when an affordable rental is thrown in too, life begins to look up. The gravedigger’s cottage isn’t perfect for a woman alone but at least she has quiet neighbors.
Quiet, but not silent. The long dead and the books they left behind both have tales to tell and the dusty rooms of the bookshop are not the haven they seem to be. Lowell’s past and Jude’s present are a dangerous cocktail of secrets and lies and someone is coming to light the taper that could destroy everything.
Rating
Review
DNF’ed at 20%
I just can’t get into this book. I guess a few sentences are plain weird to say the least. Things seem to happen out of nowhere and I have no clue where the hell this book is headed.
I’ve previously read The Child Garden by Catriona McPherson and absolutely loved it. So, I was expecting a lot from this one as well, but sadly, after a few pages, only everything went south.
I like the author’s writing style but for this book what didn’t work for me was the characterization and the desperate need to bring out the characters’ love for books. It felt quite forced to me.
Hopefully, the other books will be better than this one, cause I really liked TCG, and want to read more books like it.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: It was the last thing on her mind when she fled across London.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and NetGalley.
Graphic Novel Review: Oddly Normal (Chapter #1)
Author: Otis Frampton Illustrator: - Release Date: 1st May, 2006 Series: Oddly Normal Genre: Young Adult | Magic | Fiction Edition: ascm file Pages: 132 Publisher: Distributer: Diamond Book Distributors Source: NetGalley
Blurb
Oddly Normal is a 10-year old girl with the most unfortunate name and the luck to go with it. The product of a unique mixed-marriage (her mother is a witch and her father is human), Oddly has grown up between cultures and she is the proverbial outsider. On her 10th birthday, her parents mysteriously disappear and she is left in the care of her great Aunt, a citizen of a fantastical place called Fignation.
Rating
Review
Note: It’s been quite a while since I read this one and now finally I’ve got the time to pen down a review for it. As it’s been a sort of late reviewing, this review is not as detailed as I would have liked but I’ll be reviewing the sequel soon, so I’ll be more descriptive when I review that one.
Oddly Normal is the one of the best graphic novels I’ve read so far. It’s extremely engaging, superbly thrilling and, I must say, remarkably cute! I love the characterization and Oddly are indeed a really remarkable character. I can completely relate to her and I really think that this series is going to be epic. The illustrations are rich and spot-on. I really, really love this book!!!
The world-building in this novel is a work of pure genius. The names are just totally amazeballs (yea, I had to say that) and the storyline is one that can easily suck the reader inside the amazing and adventurous world of Oddly.
If you’re looking for a new graphic novel series to start with, Oddly Normal is just the thing you need. Trust me.
(Review of Oddly Normal #2 is coming shortly!)
You can also read this review at: Goodreads and Amazon.
Book Review: No Rest For The Wicked (Vampires Of London #1)
Author: Wolfe Cotto Release Date: February 28, 2015 Series: Vampires Of London Genre: Paranormal Fiction Edition: Paperback Pages: 288 Publisher: Black Crow Publishing Limited Source: Publicity Assistant, Sam Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Edward DeVere, 600 and some year old vampire, resident of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has been taking it easy.
London is home sweet home and Eddy considers himself a Renaissance man; a bit of a modern day ‘flaneur’. Some would say a ‘slacker’ and a bit of a ‘stoner’. Opinions are divided.
Eddy knows the city like the back of his hand. Life is ordered, predictable and boring. Until someone near and dear disappears and he is left with no choice but to find out why.
It should just be a night’s work for such an ‘old timer’.
But things don’t go as planned.
Eddy’s cosy world starts to fall apart.
Nothing is what it seems.
It’s time to wake up, smell the coffee and roll his sleeves up.
It’s a damn nuisance, he’s exhausted and could really do without all this ‘tom tit’.
But it seems, there’s just no rest for the wicked.
Rating
Review
DNF’ed at page 170. Though I really liked the witty comments and observations of Edward, the writing style of the author really bothered me. The sentence formation is really complex (and at times really weird, what with 5-6 commas in one single sentence itself.) It really distracted me from the plot, which BTW was a little too uninteresting for my taste. At one point (around page 50 or so,) I was wondering what the hell is really going on.
If I would have had free time at my hands I would have tried to at least complete it, but unfortunately, I don’t have even a second to spare. Certainly not for the books that don’t suck me right into it. from the start. But if you are really patient and don’t mind the blabberings of an extremely talkative vampire, then go ahead and give it a try. You might just like this book.
You can also read this review at:
Other Stuff
Opening Line: I wake from a bad dream, except I know it wasn’t just a dream.
My Instagram:
Book Review: Nirvana (Nirvana #1)
Author: J.R. Stewart Release Date: November 10, 2015 Series: Nirvana Genre: Young Adult|Sci-Fi|Dystopian|Fantasy|Mystery|Romance Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 186 Publisher: Blue Moon Publishing Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?
Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized – even visits with Andrew.
Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking oan entire government to do so.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
Nirvana is an amazing YA read with a really fresh plot line and a great new dystopian world setting. I loved the characterisations and the fast pace of the story.
I was really impressed with the storyline and the world-building concept of Nirvana, though, it lacked a little behind when it came to the execution of these two concepts. I enjoyed the book (no doubt about it) but somewhere I felt that if the second half of the book can be tweaked a little bit then it can be at par with the best-selling YA reads of today.
Characters:
I loved the lead character, Kenders, and was able to feel a connection with her. Though, in the second half of the book I felt that connection slipping (as soon as Serge comes into picture.) I loved Andrew, the male lead, as well but sadly the same thing happened with him.
Romance/Kills:
This book falls in the romance genre as the plot depends on the romantic relationship between Kenders and Andrew. And like any other dystopian book there is a love triangle (Kenders, Andrew and Serge) but thankfully it’s not a farfetched one. It starts and ends within an acceptable time frame and now I’m really looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
Writing:
I enjoyed the easy flow of author’s style of writing. It’s simple yet relatable and makes reading this book a pleasant experience. Having said that, I’d like to point out that I felt that the first half of the book was excellent whereas the second half lagged a little behind not only in terms of the plot line but also in terms of the characterisation and flow of the story.
Beginning:
I started enjoying Nirvana right from the first sentence and continued to do so halfway through the book. Everything was just amazing and I had no issues with anything (but only till the first half.)
Ending:
The second half of the book along with the ending felt quite weak to me. The plot went on to some other uninteresting tangent and ruined an otherwise excellent story. I really hope that the sequel will be better than this one.
Blurb:
The blurb is good, but I felt that it actually revealed a major spoiler about Andrew’s fake death. I would have liked it better to have come across it while reading the book instead of the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is marvellous. I really like the eerie feeling it radiates. It’s just perfect.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads, Amazon and NetGalley.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Eight-year-old Larissa Kenders pulls a doll tighter toward her and opens one eye.
Highlights: Plot line.
Lowlights: Second half of the book.
Final Thoughts: A decent dystopian read with a rather weak ending.
Book Review: Cold Girl (West Coast Crime #1)
Author: R.M. Greenaway Release Date: March 26, 2016 Series: None Genre: Mystery|Thriller|Suspense|Crime Fiction Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 336 Publisher: Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
It’s too cold to go missing in northern B.C., as a mismatched team of investigators battle the clock while the disappearances add up.
Smart urbanite RCMP Constable Cal Dion isn’t designed for snow, silence, and deep, dark woods. But that’s where he finds himself after a life-altering car crash: coping with brain damage and posted in the snowbound Hazeltons of northern B.C. But how can he find his footing in a new life when he can’t find his own keys?
Detective David Leith has his own demons to tackle. Forty-two years old and a dogged investigator, he’s seen a lifetime’s worth of cruelty on the job, and his conscience has taken a battering. And now a monster is murdering young women on his turf.
Kiera Rilkoff, a popular young singer, is missing. Has she also fallen victim to the so-called Pickup Killer? The urgency ramps up as one missing woman becomes two. It isn’t until the bitter end that Leith discovers who is the coldest girl of all.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
Cold Girl is one of those books that you can either love or hate. And for me, fortunately, it’s the first one. I really enjoyed the story and relished the way it ended. The plot is not only outright gripping but quite unique as well but in its own subtle way. Cold Girl has a character driven plotline and the author successfully pulls it off. The plot line is simple enough, but the twists and the turns scattered throughout the book makes it a fairly complicated one but in a good way.
The writing is a little different, which took me a fair amount of time to get used to, but by the end I got the hang of it. The story flowed well and the pace of the story was also good. But, in spite of everything being great, I thought that the book was exceptionally lengthy. In my opinion, it can be reduced to 3/4th of its length and still have the same impact. This little fact bugged me to no end because it was a really, really time-consuming read.
So, if you have enough time on your hands, then go ahead and read Cold Girl, as it’s a superb detective fiction.
Characters:
As I just said Cold Girl is a character-driven book and the author has managed to create something that I call as “awesomeness.” The main characters, Leith and Dion, are the life of this book and I can still picture them moving around and doing stuff in their daily lives – that’s how powerful the characterization in this book is. I was totally able to connect with them and the bond that formed is a really strong one.
When we have two male leads who hate each other there is bound to a favorite. Mine is Dion. His vulnerability is what draws me to him and I’m sure in the coming books he’ll emerge as a really strong lead, even more than Leith.
The other characters such as the Law brothers, other constables and DCs, the victims and the suspects, each and everyone had a unique personality and surprisingly I was able to relate to them all. Full marks for characterization!
Romance/Kills:
There is no romance as such, but a major part of the investigation revolves around the relationship of the deceased and the suspect.
There is also a considerable number of killings prior to the main case which involves a serial killer. It serves as a great diversion initially and later on connects beautifully to the case-at-hand.
Writing:
The writing in this book is a little different than what I’m normally used to. Some of the sentences felt a little awkward at times but later I realized that it had more to do with the author’s style of writing than glitches. Fortunately, after reading half of the book I found myself getting used to it.
Having said that I would have definitely enjoyed the book more if the editor had straightened out those awkward sentences and made them a little less painful to read.
Still, I enjoyed the book and the amazing characterization totally made up for whatever problems I had with the writing in the first half of the book.
Beginning:
The book started off perfectly well with an intriguing prologue and then continued on a high note that kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the detailed insight into the police procedurals and enjoyed the overall suspense that kept on building till the end.
Ending:
The ending of the book was perfect considering that it’s a part of a series. In fact, I’m really looking forward to how things are going to shape up in the next part. The mystery also ended well. A classic example of a simple situation going out of hands.
Blurb:
The blurb is apt and gives a really clear idea about what to expect from the book. If I had come across this book in a bookstore then I would have definitely grabbed it after reading the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is good but not excellent. It could have a been a lot better.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads and NetGalley
Other Stuff
Opening Line: She was the only patch of stillness on the planet, to Dion, the dark-haired girl sitting on the far wing of the bleachers, second to lowest tier, watching the band play.
Highlights: Exceptional characterization.
Lowlights: Length of the book.
Final Thoughts: A brilliant but lengthy read.
Novella Review: Home Is Where The Start Is (Roseland #1)
Author: Eric Ugland Release Date: January 29, 2015 Series: Roseland Series Book: Book 1 Genre: Contemporary Detective Fiction | Cozy Mystery | Cozy Paranormal Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 113 Publisher: Air Quites Publishing Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
When Ginger Mitchell finds out her mother committed suicide, she packs up her life as a Vegas “dancer” (hey, somebody’s gotta do it) and drives her cherry-red SUV straight home to Portland. Without a disapproving mom to rebel against, what was the point?
But things aren’t what they seem once Ginger gets to the City of Roses. For one, nothing about her mother’s suicide adds up, but no one else even wants to entertain the idea that it could’ve been murder. No one that is, except the ghost of Ginger’s mother, who keeps scaring the crap out of her. It’s probably just a psychotic break because of the grief, right? Sure.
In any case, it’s during one of these visits from Ghost Mom that Ginger decides to solve the murder on her own. She really only ever wanted to be a cop, so maybe she should start a private detective business and see where it takes her. And look, that hippie kid running down the street after a muscle car right now probably needs help. Another case!
Rating
Review
Home Is Where The Start Is started off pretty well. I really liked the don’t-give-a-damn attitude of Ginger and most of all the first line that really kick started the book. As I went along it kept on getting more and more interesting. As it’s the first book in Roseland series, it dedicated a good amount of time in setting up the basics (characters, locations, situations, etc.) and honestly, I enjoyed reading every bit of it.
The writing is exceptional and packs a big dose of humor. I loved the imagery and at more than a dozen occasions it made me laugh out loud.
The book ended on a high note and left me craving for more. I had low expectations from the book considering that it borders on the paranormal realm, but I really enjoyed the ghost angle. Though what I really found strange was Ginger’s mother’s personality. She seemed a little opposite of what was expecting her to be especially considering her profession. Maybe in the next book it’ll be clearer.
For a novella, this book really packs a punch and is totally worth the time spent on reading it. I’d recommend it to anyone really as it’s a nice cozy mystery to read and enjoy.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads and Amazon
Other Stuff
Opening Line: I wish I hadn’t been sucking cock when my mother died, but I was.
Highlights: Storytelling
Lowlights:
Final Thoughts: A nice and cozy mystery.
Novella Review: Fly And Other Stories
Author: Anneliese Poelsma Release Date: January 12, 2015 Series: None Genre: Short Stories |Dark Fiction | Psychological Fiction | Adult Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 68 Publisher: Self-Published Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
A book of six short stories.
Winner of the 2014 Ada Cambridge Prose Prize, ‘fly’ tells the story about a power struggle between two women whose relationship is doomed from the start yet neither can let go, one because of a desire for power and control, the other because of an inability to let go of her need for escapism and change.
‘I live in the bathroom. My husband locked me in here in a fit of rage…’
Winner of the 2002 Verandah Literary Award for fiction, ‘I Live in the Bathroom’ is an unsettling psychological tale about a woman’s disturbing fight to retain her sanity in a domestic setting gone awry. After being locked up by her grieving husband, she takes us on a dangerous journey into the bugs and viruses of the human mind as she struggles to make sense of her reality and the consequences of her dark feelings of jealousy and rejection.
Jennifer… an innocent, socially awkward woman being bullied by her chic office colleagues, or an obsessed, narcissistic stalker capable of the darkest of deeds?
‘Where Maisy Went’
Longlisted for the 2014 Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize.
Desperate for a baby of her own, a stroll through the inner city gardens turns into an impromptu kidnapping for middle-aged, mentally challenged Georgia. Ill equipped for the sudden demands of motherhood and with the mind of a child herself, Georgia unwittingly embarks on a journey towards infanticide.
The food the food the food…
‘Skin’ tells the story about the role food can play in the struggle against self-loathing, the fear of rejection and the fight for control and preservation of self in the face of psychological manipulation and abuse. Skin outlines one lesbian woman’s battle to free herself not only from the power of false love but the demands of a society and its concepts of what constitutes feminine beauty.
‘Jump’
One man’s search for his family in a busy shopping center becomes a search for meaning and purpose in his life. As he loses hope at every wrong turn and the resulting disasters continually test his lacking confidence, the man must decide if his life is worth the continued struggle against disappointment, disapproval and death.
‘fly and other stories’ explores human strength and fallibility in the face of failed emotional connections. It investigates the fragility of sanity and the desire to hold onto hope, sometimes where there is none. Each character seeks to achieve a sense of self-improvement, freedom and happiness, sometimes successfully, sometimes misguided, sometimes with horrific consequences as they struggle to force their worlds to make sense.
Rating
Review
Fly And Other Short Stories is a short-stories collection of 6 brilliantly written short stories. The main theme of the story is exploring the dark rooms inside a person and the author has done it to perfection.
I enjoyed each and every story and was left craving for more. All the stories were short, to-the-point and smart. I really liked reading them and they really creeped the hell out of me (yeah, I just made that up. But you get the drift, right?)
To be honest, when I first saw this book on Goodreads, I had no idea what to expect from it. I mean the name itself felt bizarre and then as soon as I read the blurb, I was sold! I immediately accepted the review request and now, that I’ve read it, I’m really happy that I read it.
If you like the works of Stephen King and Gillian Flynn then this book is a must read. It’s a novella, but it packs a serious punch. All the stories are 5/5. In fact, they are so good that I can’t even pick a favorite one.
I’d recommend this book to all the readers of dark fiction, especially those who have a thing for creepy stuff and don’t mind the negative side of things.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads and Amazon
Other Stuff
Opening Line: I sit on the edge of the couch, perched and stiff.
Highlights: Brilliant storytelling.
Lowlights: None.
Final Thoughts: A brilliant short story collection.
Book Review: The Child Garden
Author: Catriona McPherson Release Date: September 8, 2015 Series: None Genre: Mystery|Thriller|Suspense|Scottish-Fiction Edition: E-Book (mobi) Pages: 336 Publisher: Midnight Ink Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Eden was its name. “An alternative school for happy children.” But it closed in disgrace after a student’s suicide. Now it’s a care home, its grounds neglected and overgrown. Gloria Harkness is its only neighbor, staying close to her son who lives there in the home, lighting up her life and breaking her heart each day.
When a childhood friend turns up at her door, Gloria doesn’t hesitate before asking him in. He claims a girl from Eden is stalking him and has goaded him into meeting her at the site of the suicide. Only then, the dead begin to speak—it was murder, they say.
Gloria is in over her head before she can help it. Her loneliness, her loyalty, and her all-consuming love for her son lead her into the heart of a dark secret that threatens everything she lives for.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
The Child Garden has an amazing plot story full of well-timed twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it t and tremendously and felt compelled to read it in one go. I was sucked right into the book from starting to end. The main suspense of the book is also mindblowing and there is no way in hell one could have guessed that the things will turn out the way they did.
The pace of the story is great and the writing proceed smoothly without interfering the flow of the story. I really liked the deliberate slow progress of the investigation as it kept me intrigued throughout the book. One more thing that I’d like to add is that the small part of the book where the author used a little demon reference was the stroke of a genius. Why? Because it really made me put down the book at the night. it was a really small part (maybe a few pages,) but it really gave me a good scare.
Characters:
In spite of liking the story, I wasn’t able to feel entirely connected to the main character, Gloria. The story is written in first-person but still I felt a little detached from her. In fact, at one point I felt that she herself was the murderer. I’m not sure what went wrong, but it just felt that the narration was responsible for the detachment I felt.
The other main character is that of Stig and I really liked him, though I felt a little irritated at times to find out that in spite of whatever Gloria did for him, he continuously held back the truth from her. Still, I liked him a lot and enjoyed the amazing foods he dished out.
Romance/Killings:
There was no romance, but there were a number of killings. Though at times the murders were a little confusing (maybe because of Scottish names and surnames or the fact that a few names were similar,) I still enjoyed the book thoroughly. All the killings really intensified the pace of the story and left me wanting for more.
Writing:
As I mentioned earlier, the writing is good and flowed beautifully without interfering the reader’s imagination. Though I felt the characterization was a little (just teeny-weeny) weak. I would have enjoyed more if the MC would have been a tad more relatable but nonetheless I still enjoyed the story.
The attention to detail is remarkable!
Beginning:
This book hooked me right from the beginning. It started with a beautiful prologue and carried on with the same effect.
Ending:
The ending is mind blowing and I was completely spell-bound by suspense that was revealed at the end. Though I felt that the story was a little rushed right before the suspense was revealed.
Book Cover:
I love this book cover because it really gives me the willies! I picked up this book because of the cover and the blurb.
Blurb:
Okay now, this is where it gets a little ugly. The blurb is quite misleading. I thought that the book is a supernatural one (as the blurb says) but it is NOT. It’s a suspense-thriller book.
You can also read this review at: Goodreads, Amazon and NetGalley
Other Stuff
Opening Line: It was far from silent in the dark wood.
Highlights: Amazing storyline and suspense.
Lowlights: Characterization and misleading blurb.
Final Thoughts: A really good suspense read.
Featured Reviewer At NetGalley (NetGalley Blogger Spotlight: The Reading Bud)
I’m the featured reviewer at NetGalley for my book blog, The Reading Bud, for their monthly series, Blogger Spotlight, for Mystery & Thriller edition.
I was really excited when I received a mail from NetGalley inviting me for this spotlight. I really enjoyed answering each and every question for this interview and consider myself lucky to be interviewed by and featured at NetGalley’s blog!
You can read my interview here.
A snapshot of my interview at NetGalley’s blog
If you’re wondering what NetGalley is or if you want to know how to get accepted for the books by some of the biggest publishers in the world, then you can read my article: Are You A “Professional Reader” At NetGalley.
If you’re already a NetGalley member then do check out this month’s Mystery & Thriller reads as there are some amazing books this month. The best one being Ashley…
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Comic Book Review: Apocalypse Meow Meow (ARC)
Author: James Proimos III Illustrator: James Proimos Jr. Release Date: 3rd November, 2015 (I received an ARC) Series: - Genre: Children's Fiction | Comics | Post Apocalypse Edition: ascm file Pages: 224 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA CHildrens Distributer: Source: NetGalley
Blurb
Brownie, Apollo, and their ragtag group of strays have raided the grocery store and defeated some very mean mutts–but now they’ve run out of food. So when the crew discovers a nearby Twonkies factory, and all the Twonkies they could ever eat, they think they’ve got it made.
The only catch is the cat guarding the factory–and this “cat” is MUCH bigger, and far more sophisticated, than any feline they’ve ever met. Can the dogs and their friends defeat their foe and claim the Twonkies for themselves?
The Proimos father-son team returns with another irreverent, dog-filled take on the apocalypse, told in a graphic novel paper-over-board format. The instantly accessible artwork and laughs on each page will charm everyone from the most reluctant reader to the coolest of cats (humans and animals alike)!
Rating
Review
I had a good laugh reading this comic and would definitely read the other books in the same series.
The book started brilliantly and I adored all the dogs and the cat (meow.) I really enjoyed the quirkiness and the cuteness of the plot and the characters. I absolutely loved the whole thing about the “Twonkies” (with a capital T) and the nude dude.
It’s a funny book and that’s what I was expecting from it, so it delivered what it promised and considering that it’s a children’s book, I can’t expect anything more from it.
Having said that, i did feel that the end could have been a little different or a page sooner.
Originally I wanted to give this one a 5-star rating, but before I did I found out that the other books in this comic-series are far funnier than this one, so I thought of giving it a 4-star for now. If later, after reading the other books, I’ll feel that it deserves an added star or half, then I’ll definitely update my review. But for now I think 4-star rating is perfect.
Aww… isin’t he adorable!? ❤
You can also read this review at Goodreads.
Book Review: The Forgotten Girls (Louise Rick #7)
Author: Sara Blaedel Release Date: February 3, 2015 Series: Louise Rick Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Crime-Fiction | Scandinavian Fiction | Suspense | Adult Edition: e-book (mobi) Pages: 315 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Source: NetGalley (Thanks, Tiffany!) Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
In a forest in Denmark, a ranger discovers the fresh corpse of an unidentified woman. A large scar on one side of her face should make the identification easy, but nobody has reported her missing. After four days, Louise Rick—the new commander of the Missing Persons Department—is still without answers. But when she releases a photo to the media, an older woman phones to say that she recognizes the woman as Lisemette, a child she once cared for in the state mental institution many years ago. Lisemette, like the other children in the institution, was abandoned by her family and branded a “forgotten girl.” But Louise soon discovers something more disturbing: Lisemette had a twin, and both girls were issued death certificates over 30 years ago. As the investigation brings Louise closer to her childhood home, she uncovers more crimes that were committed—and hidden—n the forest, and finds a terrible link to her own past that has been carefully concealed.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
The Forgotten Girls is a brilliant book with an exciting plotline which engulfs the reader right from the beginning. The enjoyed the storyline thoroughly and would definitely love to read more from the author. This book has so many elements that it’ll keep the reader guessing at all times. This book is what a real psychological thriller should be. The twists and turns were well timed and the intrigue factor was always present.
I loved the story from beginning to end and I’d recommend it to everyone, especially the genre lovers.
Characters:
The characterization felt a little weak to me. The main character, Louise Rick, is a decent character. I won’t say that I felt an out-of-the-world connection with the lead, but still I was able to relate to her on some level. Maybe it’s just me or the fact that I don’t particularly enjoy reading about 30 something women. Still Louise Rick, as a character, was quite good.
I enjoyed reading about her partner, Eik, and her son and neighbor. All these characters are also well-built and relatable, but again, only at some levels. but the little bit of romance seemed a little awkward as again I’m not used to reading about women with children.
Romance/Kills:
There were one or two killings, which contributed to creating the whole mystery. The killings were not really gruesome or gut-wrenchingly intense so I’d say that it’s actually a light thriller.
There was also a little romance, though it was more like flirting and it was quite awkward cause it happened so suddenly that I thought that I missed a page. It doesn’t even matter as it’s a thriller and not a romance book.
Writing:
The book is written in third-person narrative and the writing style of the author is really simple and understandable. To be honest, I felt that the writing was decent, but the story-telling was quite weak. With a plotline this amazing I was expecting the book to be an outstanding read, though it was not quite there. And for me, that was because of the story-telling.
Having said that, I think maybe it’s because of the fact that the book is translated or poorly edited. Whatever it is, it’s the only thing that, according to me, pulled the book down a little.
Beginning:
I enjoyed the beginning of the book and was sucked into it right from the first page. Though, after the prologue the story flowed quite slowly. But after a while it picked up the pace.
Ending:
The ending was quite unpredictable. I was completely blown off by it and it’s one of the strongest parts of the book (after the plot itself.)
Cover Art:
I love this cover art. It gives the feeling of being forgotten and the darkness of the woods really intensifies the feel.
Blurb:
The blurb is just perfect. it made me accept the book in spite of being completely packed with review-requests. I would have definitely bought it if I had stumbled upon it either on Amazon or in my bookstore.
You can also read this review at Goodreads, Amazon and NetGalley
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Gone is coming, Gone is coming!
Highlights: Brilliant plotline.
Lowlights: Storytelling.
Final Thoughts: A decent psychological thriller with a strong plotline.
Review by:
Heena Rathore P. aka The Reading Bud
My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.
The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.
Read more about me here.
Book Review: Googolplex
Author: K.G. Johansson Release Date: September 16, 2015 Series: None Genre: Science-Fiction | Speculative Fiction Edition: Paperback Pages: 206 Publisher: Affront Publishing Source: Editor, Peter Oberg Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
If you could have anything but the one thing you really wanted, what would you do?
Jack is part of a group of colonists traveling to the distant planet Shylock to build themselves a new home. But Jack has trouble letting go of his past and the world he left behind. He becomes obsessed with what could have been, and with the help of multis – mysterious beings from parallel universes – he begins his search for truth. However, in a world where even love seems impossible to define, what can he find?
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
Googolplex has a really, really unique plot based on very famous concept of multiverses. The uniqueness of the plot really stood out and over all this book makes for a great sci-fi read. There are various elements in the book that I absolutely loved and
Characters:
I felt a really strong connection with the main character, Jack. I felt for him whenever his heart broke and felt happy to see him make progress. Rest of the characters were not stressed upon enough to establish a connection but that wasn’t a problem as the story was completely around Jack and his adventures (so to say.)
Having said that, I really liked the concept of multis and was constantly intrigued by their presence and interest in Jack’s life.
Romance:
There was just a hint of romance but a lot of passion. Jack was completely hooked on his childhood crush and went to extreme lengths in order to find her. The entire process was really enjoyable. I also liked the concept of sic-fi mingling with a person’s love interest on a whole another level!
Writing:
One of the best things about the book is author’s simple yet effective writing. It flowed beautifully and flawlessly and made the experience of reading this book a really pleasant one!
Beginning:
The book started with a bang! I really, really enjoyed it and was sucked into it right from the first line. After reading a few pages I started to feel connected to the main character, Jack and I knew that I was in for a pleasant surprise.
Ending:
The book’s ending was not completely surprising, though I felt that it was a little far-fetched. I was expecting it to be a little more convincing than that but unfortunately it didn’t happen.
Cover Art:
The cover could have been a little better but, considering the theme of the book, it’s actually quite appropriate.
Blurb:
The blurb describes the book perfectly.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line:
Highlights: Uniqueness of the plot.
Lowlights: None.
Memorable Quotes:
It’s hard to hate anybody that you’ve seen from inside.
The only people you like are people who also want to be alone. But at the same time , this also means that you’ll mostly leave one another be – which makes you stand each other.
Final Thoughts: A decent Sci-Fi read with a unique plot.
Review by:
Heena Rathore P. aka The Reading Bud
My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.
The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.
Read more about me here.
Book Review: Southern Solstice
Author: Sarah Sadler Release Date: June 2, 2015 Series: None Genre: Contemporary Romance Edition: Kindle (.mobi) Pages: 404 Publisher: Blue French Press Source: NetGalley (Requested by Tammi Weed, Director of Media Relations, Modern PR.) Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
As rich and distinctive as the Lowcountry itself, Southern Solstice presents a clever and charismatic journey of love, heartache, adaptation and emotional fortitude as told through a patina of family heritage.
When twenty-four-year-old Larken Devereaux is left brokenhearted by her fiancé on the West Coast, she reluctantly returns to her charmed aristocratic roots in Charleston, South Carolina to rebuild her life and gain self-determination in a prominent southern family that offers everything and requires nothing.
As her impetuous mother orchestrates a reunion with a first love, Larken becomes entangled in a dilemma where she must choose between an intriguing, passionate plastic surgeon—who is anything but superficial—and the annoyingly irresistible man who has silently loved her forever.
Rating
Review
Plot Story:
The plot-line of this book is really impressive considering it’s a contemporary-romance story. I enjoyed reading this book and would felt myself pulled into the story from the beginning till the end.
I had a great time reading it and this book will make an excellent summer read. I’d recommend to anyone who loves the genre. I’m not a huge fan of romance novels but this book really stood out. The simplicity of the plot is commendable and so is the rich writing and characterisation.
Characters:
I absolutely loved the characterisation in this book. I was able to feel a strong connection with the lead character- Larken Devereaux. I also loved the male leads – Jackson and Miles.
To be honest, I loved all the other characters as well and felt like I’d known them forever. Each and every character had substance and spoke for itself making the reader feel so comfortable reading the book that you’d want to loose yourself in it.
Romance:
It’s a romance fiction… so figures. The sizzling chemistry between Larken and Jackson is to die for. But when Miles comes into the picture, everything gets upside down and that’s when the the subtle bond between Larken and Miles starts to shine through. It’s amazing how the author not only successfully pulled off a love triangle but also ended it on a brilliant note.
To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the little moments of lovey-dovey stuff without actually cringing away from it. And that’s how, at least for me, a romance book should be.
Writing:
The writing is rich, as I already said, with a few new and heavy words sprinkled here and there. I enjoy this type of writing and I’m looking forward to read more books by the author. The book is written in third-person omniscient narration and the imagery created by the author is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed the detailed narration. That said, yes, there were times, especially in the second half of the book, when I skimmed over a few lines here and there. But maybe that’s because I was so curious to find out how it all comes together in the end.
Beginning:
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from the beginning. The emotional turbulence at the very beginning of the book pulled me right in and instantly connected me with the female lead – Larken. After that as I read further the story got more and more interesting with each and every page. I love books with powerful beginnings as they draw me inside from the start and this book did just that.
Ending:
The book ended on a brilliant note and the ending itself was quite surprising. Generally, in romance novels the ending is pretty predictable but in this book but in this case it came as a pleasant surprise and it beautifully pulled out Larken from the web of a love triangle.
Cover Art:
I absolutely adore the cover art. I think it’s pretty classy and goes well with the theme of the book (esp. with Bunny’s quote – Jewels anyone crown.)
Blurb:
The blurb seems perfect to me. I accepted the book based on the blurb itself.
You can also read this review at Goodreads, Amazon and NetGalley.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “Don’t make this harder on me than it already is, Larken.”
Highlights: Brilliant plot.
Lowlights: A little too descriptive in the second-half.
Memorable Quotes:
Jewels On Your Crown.
And then she thought of Dr. Miles and the scar he had promised not to leave. Then she realised in a strange, hopeless way that he had left one anyway. Men always do.
If the shoe don’t fit, run barefoot the other way.
When you trouble yourself to be obligated to someone, they better have already proved their worth to you.
Final Thoughts: A brilliant summer read.
Review by:
Heena Rathore P. aka The Reading Bud
My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.
The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.
Read more about me here.
Book Review: Smokescreen
Author: Tasha Lessey Release Date: April 1, 2014 Series: Standalone Genre: Science Fiction | Thriller Edition: Kindle (mobi) Pages: 288 Publisher: Self-published Amazon Digital Services, Inc Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
It starts in Washington when a lone gunman enters a busy burger chain and opens fire killing twenty-five people. It continues in Paris, London, Sydney and Beijing. Authorities, including FBI agent Jack Rossi find no motive or any connection between the shootings causing fear and panic in the world’s major cities.
As Jack scrambles to get answers, he stumbles upon a secret world of hybrid humans, moles and a threat he never saw coming. One that could lead to the loss of an unprecedented number of lives. Including his own.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
I thought the story had great build up. In the beginning, it starts off as your standard novel with a globalized terrorist threat to set the scene for the action. I was prepared for the aliens, but I was not prepared for feeling like I was on the edge of my seat.
The story was similar to Independence Day (the movie) in the sense that the aliens seemed to have an impenetrable defense. But that is not to say that if you saw the movie, it was the same story. This was different is so many ways. There are secrets, lies, intrigue, action, plot twists, and light romance.
A lot of the suspense came from the fact that it was difficult to know who to trust. Who is a hybrid human? Who is a mole? I need answers! I need to know now!
Characters:
The characters acted in a way that was understandable for the circumstances. Jack was a no-nonsense FBI agent that is trying to figure out how to solve the case. He is dealing with a threat that he never knew existed. A lot has changed in his life in a short period of time and he has hardly any time to decide how he is going to handle all this new information. At the same time, he is trying to resist his urges to initiate a physical relationship with his partner Lauren.
Lauren has feelings for Jack too but knows the timing is off. They are dealing with a global catastrophe and other personal issues. There seemed to be little room for developing their romance. As the story progressed, I could understand her hesitancy.
Romance/Kills:
I was not surprised at the number of kills in this book. After all, the story starts with several mass shooting scenes. However, the killing was not overly graphic. As the reader, I knew there was carnage but it was not described in a way that I could see the blood dripping from wall. The stage was set for the story.
I was surprised that there was a little romance element included in the story. Similarly to the killing, the love scenes were not too graphic. There was enough detail to get a mental picture of who was touching whom and where.
Writing:
I think the author did a good job of writing the story from the various viewpoints and tying everything together at the end.
Beginning:
The opening scene is the mass shooting in the restaurant in DC. The action gets started on the opening page.
Ending:
While the story focuses on Jack, by the end, I thought that Lauren was the true hero of the book. I think the ending was fitting and leaves the reader to imagine the possibilities for the future.
Cover Art:
The cover art is fits the story because the overall vibe is ominous with the freaky looking eyes.
Blurb:
From the blurb mention of “hybrid humans”, I could tell there was going to be a sci-fi aspect. I could not tell that the book was going to be about alien invasion. However I had a clue as to what the book would be about because it is categorized in Amazon under the following genres: Alien Invasion, Science Fiction, and Supernatural Thrillers.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Her penchant for French fries and hamburgers had finally gotten her in trouble.
Highlights: The suspense.
Lowlights: I wish some of the characters had not been killed.
Final Thoughts: I enjoyed it.
Review Contributor:
Amaryllis Turman
I work in an office. Outside of work, I participate on several non-profit boards and volunteer time as a life skills mentor. One of my favorite past times is reading, especially romance genre. I also enjoy writing, travelling, and trying new experiences with my hubby.
I write poetry when inspiration moves me. My hubby and I try to travel a new location each year. I have a goal each year to try something that I have not tried before. Because of that goal, I have ran various types of 5k races, started playing tennis, and attended numerous wine tastings.
You can read more about Amaryllis here.
Book Review: The Perfect View
Author: Carolyn Young Release Date: August 23rd 2014 Series: None Genre: Psychological Thriller | Adult Edition: Kindle (mobi) Pages: 554 Publisher: Lulu Publishing Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Mara is unaware that she is not the only one with the perfect view of her own life. Someone who has known her since the very beginning is watching her from across the lake and has been hiding in the shadows around and behind her for years, even long before she moved into her beautiful house with her husband and his daughter. The watcher has witnessed all that she has suffered and every horrible mistake that she has made in each turbulent phase of her life, but he also knows why she made them, just as he knows with certainty that she needs him to watch over her so that he can rescue her when the time comes.
Rating
Review
Note: In most reviews when I give above 3.5 stars it’s so easy to write a review for that book, but here… Here writing the review was extremely hard. Every other word I wrote just reviled a lot of details that I didn’t wanted to share (keeping this spoiler free, lol). So it took me a while to write the review where I share what I love but without any revealing details.
Before I will start with the review, I have to say that this book is more suitable for adults due to its harsh content.
Plot/Story:
Okay, this book was a great read. I enjoyed it so much and it was a fast pace read. You get immersed in the story fast (I loved that) and your connection with the character is from the start.
This is a story that makes you want to read more with page turn. The plot here is Mara’s (the main characters fights her demons and trying hard to heal the past.
I will say that the book is mostly one flashback after another and sometimes this can be a bit overwhelming, but here the author did a great job of making it feel smooth and not overbearing as most books with a lot of flashbacks.
I normally don’t read Psychological Thriller, but I am happy that I’ve read this book. It was an awesome read.
Characters:
Mara (the main character) is struggling a lot to find her right place in the world while she battles against her own demons.
I loved how Carolyn (the author) made Mara so strong, even if she drinks a lot and self medicate to forget, but she is so strong and slowly she knows that the only thing that will help her is to remember.
You go from frowning at Mara and get upset by all the wrong choices she make and then you sympathy towards her. The author made this character so well, that Mara will not be forgotten.
Jack is another strange, dysfunctional character and when the author showed his point of view it was really scary and chilling. Trust me when I say, that these two characters will hunt you in your thoughts.
Romance/Kills:
Wow, this story is full of emotions; more like an emotional roller-coaster (I will end this here before I will start telling too much, again, lol).
Writing:
I loved Carolyn’s writing style. She writes so beautifully, it was so smooth, clean and she was able to grip my attention from start to finish. She made all the flashbacks easier to handle and they were not overbearing. Even though this story talks about abuse, affairs and addictions, the author wrote so well that your heart is immediately go out for the Mara and her story.
The author puts a lot of details on the flashbacks, but here it made the story to take shape into a wonderful book to read.
Beginning:
It’s was a harsh start as you are thrown from the beginning to the inside of Mara’s mind and emotions, but it was still a very fast pace read and from the start I enjoyed the dysfunctional Mara and was able to connect with her immediately.
Ending:
I loved the ending so much. It has a nice twist to it (it did surprise me), but in a very satisfying way.
Cover Art:
I love the cover of this book a lot. It’s so beautiful and dark just like the story.
Blurb:
The blurb sounds really nice and it does set the tone for the entire plot of Jack and Mara.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “Mara was dimly awake and sitting on the edge of the bed with her feet on the floor, but she could not quite force her weighted eyes to open completely.”
Highlights: I love Carolyn’s writing style a lot and how she shows us the inner turmoil of a person so beautifully. It’s such a sad but wonderful book.
Lowlights: None!
Final Thoughts: If you like to dive into the mind and soul of a person, you will love this book. This book has it all, hard life, harsh experiences, addictions, love and so much more. The Perfect View is wonderful read, it may not be an easy read, but it is a great one!
Review contributor:
Galit Balli
I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.
I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.
Read more about Galit here.
Novella Review: Dyad
Author: C.M. Cox Release Date: November 3rd 2014 Series: The Empyrean Series Genre: Fantasy | YA Edition: Kindle (mobi) Pages: 26 Publisher: - Source: Author (Thanks, Courtney!) Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Evi is forced to leave her life behind as she flees from threatening consequences. Hoping the stories of hating humans are wrong, she seeks the land of fairies for refuge.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
This is a very short story about Evi. A pregnant woman who is running from the queen. It just so happens that the man she is pregnant by is the King. The world is run by woman, so the queen is the most important person and the king is just another guy, until he cheats on the queen.
I thought this was a perfect and short introduction to the Empyrean series. It made me want to know more and to pick up the next book as quickly as possible. And since it was so short I was able to finish it rather quickly.
Characters:
You really only get to know Evi. And there isn’t much character development in this short story. At first you want to hate her and then you kind of love her. By the end you are not sure how you feel about her.
Romance/Kills:
There isn’t much of a romance. Evi has slept with the queens husband, but she is not in love with him. There may be one death, but it’s never really validated.
Writing:
I love the writing style. I wasn’t bored and the story progressed quickly without feeling rushed.
Beginning:
I was intrigued from the beginning.
Ending:
The ending sparked my interest and made me open the next book to see what was going to happen next.
Cover Art:
This is where I am disappointed. I do not like the cover art at all. It looks artistic, sure, but to me it just seems cheap.
Blurb:
The blurb is perfect for such a short story.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “Don’t leave,” said Tyam with a groan.
Highlights: I like the twist that the world is dominated by women.
Lowlights: It was really short.
Final Thoughts: I am glad that I was able to read this and it’s promising.
Review contributor:
Heather Mostella:
I’m a reader, writer, dreamer, and crafter. I like to create things and I love to see what others create. I avoid reality as much as possible, and often pretend I’m a vampire. I also own a group of black cats, so my neighbors think I’m a witch and I’m okay with that. I am a fan girl.
I love shows like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Grimm. I love anime and dream of one day going to Japan. I just like to have fun, enjoy life, and do what makes me happy.
Read more about Heather here.
Novella Review: Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island
Author: Michael Phillip Cash Release Date: 2013 Series: None Genre: Horror | Paranormal | Suspense Edition: Kindle (.mobi) Pages: 137 Publisher: Red Feather Publishing Source: NetGalley Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Paul Russo’s wife just died. While trying to get his family’s life back in order, Paul is being tormented by a demon who is holding his wife’s spirit hostage on the other side. His fate is intertwined with an old haunted mansion on the north shore of Long Island called Stillwell Manor. Paul must find clues dating back hundreds of years to set his wife’s soul free.
Rating
Review
Story/Plot:
This book has a really unique plot-line and I enjoyed it pretty well. It was a mild read but at times it really gave me the creeps. The concept was really good but I feel that the story could have a little ore better towards the end. Still, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a decent suspense or horror read.
Though I felt that despite of having a great start to the book, the ending was a little week.
Characters:
It took a few chapters to establish a connection with the protagonist, Paul, but once it was done, I was able to enjoy the book without any difficulty. I really felt sorry for the situation he was in – dead wife and three children to care of and then dead wife coming back to ask for help. The other characters were also good but I wasn’t able to connection with anyone else.
Romance:
There was no romance as the lead’s wife dies, but there was a whole book full of love. It was really sweet to read a horror story which was completely driven by only one main emotion – love.
The author did justice to the theme.
Writing:
I’d like to commend the author on the simplicity of the book. The writing was simple yet relatable and I’d like to read more books by the author.
Beginning:
The beginning of the book was probably the best part as it drew me right in. I was able to get the feel of the whole situation and could clearly see where the story was going.
Ending:
The ending, for me, was a bit confusing and week. I felt that with such a great concept the author should have really pulled it off with a great ending (connecting the dots and all) but to my disappointment the story felt quite rushed at the end.
Cover Art:
I like the cover art and it compliments the theme of the book perfectly.
Blurb:
The blurb is quite good and summarises the story perfectly well.
You canals read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Paul turned from the dark window, twitching the drapes back in place.
Highlights: Beginning of the plot.
Lowlights: Ending.
Final Thoughts: A decent read.
Review by:
Heena Rathore P.
My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.
The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.
Read more about me here.
Book Review: Salted (Salt #1)
Author: Aaron Galvin Release Date: April 18th 2014 Series: Salt #1 Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy Edition: Kindle (mobi) Pages: 6243 Publisher: Aames & Abernathy Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Life isn’t better under the sea. Lenny Dolan is all too familiar with this reality. A Selkie slave in the realm beneath the waves, he has no choice when charged with leading a crew ashore to capture an elusive runaway. If unsuccessful, the loved ones kept behind will pay for his failure with their lives. But when their target leads Lenny and his crew to deeper, darker secrets, the Selkies are faced with a moral dilemma. Secure their own freedom at the expense of others, or return empty-handed to face the grisly consequences? How Lenny and his crew answer the question will teach them the harshest truth of all. Only through the loss of innocence does one become Salted.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
I really loved the overall story and the author’s intriguing ideas of the life undersea, however I was craving for more (of the right) details. I wanted to know and understand better of how this world works other than just a few images here and there.
The first few chapters were hard to read as the author showed us from the start tons of characters and I got a bit lost in all of that. After a while I lost interest fast and some bits were a bit more confusing (I read the first few chapters three times), but soon after that, I dived (lol) deeper into the story and from there on it was a fast pace read.
This book deals with a lot of hard issues (slavery, bullying and more), but in a great way, that is not overpowering (truly is). I loved that even though the world is unique the characters stays real to what you find in a regular high school.
Characters:
The characters were nicely written, but were too stereotyped and somewhere in the middle of the book, it started to get a bit annoying (sorry). There are a few strong characters that are also very well written, but the others just weren’t.
Romance/Kills:
I loved the relationship between Garrett and Chidi. And I loved them as individual characters, but I also loved seeing their relationship grow…
(I really don’t want to give any more details on that, in order to keep this review spoiler free).
Writing:
The story is very creative and I did love the author’s writing style. I loved how Aaron (the author) took a very unique idea and turned It into a wonderful read, full of great characters, plot and world.
There were a few missing details and a few “plot holes” here and there, but not too noticeable.
Beginning:
As I said the start was a bit too much and a bit confusing, I just got lost, lol and lost my interest fast.
Ending:
The story ends well and pretty much with a cliffhanger, but I loved that here. It kept my interest and I really want to know what will happen next 😀
Cover Art:
I didn’t like the cover much. I think with the unique idea the author made, it could use a more suitable cover.
Blurb:
The blurb was actually really nice, with a subtle hint of what the reader will see in the book.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “Lenny Dolan never asked for a Salted life. No one smart ever did.”
Highlights: I love the overall writing style of the author and the wonderful and unique Idea. I loved that the author tried to talk about some harsh subject and for my taste he done that pretty well.
Lowlights: Too ‘high school’ for my taste and a bit confusing (at the beginning).
Final Thoughts: Even though I gave this book 3.5 starts, I would still like to read the next one and see how things progress, but I do believe that this series is much more suitable for a much younger audience than me, lol. I think a young audience that is still in school or just finished school will love reading this book 🙂
Review contributor:
Galit Balli
I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.
I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.
Read more about Galit here.
Book Review: Delilah Dusticle’s Transylvanian Adventure
Author: A.J. York Release Date: June 1st 2014 Series: Delilah Dusticle Genre: Children’s Fantasy Edition: mobi Pages: 122 Source: Author Publisher: Self-Published Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Delilah Dusticle is back with an action packed mission. In this illustrated instalment, Delilah and the Dustbusters are invited to Transylvania, to cater for the Hallow Eve Ball. All is not what it seems and Count Dracula has a very unusual request. Get ready to join the fun and experience the magic!
This book entices the reader into a new and magical world that appeals to both kids and adults. The reader can explore how the ordinary in life can be extraordinarily overlooked, how friendship can help you overcome life’s difficulties and how accepting yourself is the biggest challenge of all.
Reading these stories is a truly magical and uplifting experience that should not be missed. Read it today!
Watch the trailer! http://youtu.be/kBheXFxFpbI
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
I am in love with A.J. York’s work. Everything I have read by her has been amazing and this book is not different. We follow Delilah through another adventure as she meets Dracula! It is such an adorable story about believing in yourself and the power of friendship. Also, there are a lot of magical things happening. We also learn a little bit more about where Delilah gets her extraordinary gift to eradicate dust.
Characters:
My favorite character in this book was Count Dracula. He was so not what I was expecting! Of course, you have the characters from the first book, and they are still ever amazing.
Romance/Kills:
No kills and a tiny little romance between Delilah and her special someone, Duncan. It’s an adorable little romance that is only hinted at.
Writing:
I think A.J. York is a fantastic author. Her style keeps the reader interested without revealing too much too quick. And the novel has been very well edited.
Beginning:
The beginning jumps right into the story, but if you have read the first book, you don’t need a fancy first chapter to convince you to read the story.
Ending:
Fantastic ending! It leaves the story open for another book, but answers most of your questions.
Cover Art:
The cover is adorable and so perfect for the story.
Blurb:
The blurb doesn’t give much away, but with a short novel like this, there isn’t much you can say in a blurb. But, it is enough to draw a reader in.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Delilah Dusticle has a special gift: she can wholly and completely eradicate dust.
Highlights: An adorable and fast read.
Lowlights: There is nothing I can think of.
Final Thoughts: This is a perfect story for kids and should be included in school libraries!
Review contributor:
Heather Mostella:
I’m a reader, writer, dreamer, and crafter. I like to create things and I love to see what others create. I avoid reality as much as possible, and often pretend I’m a vampire. I also own a group of black cats, so my neighbors think I’m a witch and I’m okay with that. I am a fan girl.
I love shows like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Grimm. I love anime and dream of one day going to Japan. I just like to have fun, enjoy life, and do what makes me happy.
Read more about Heather here.
Book Review: Ghosts of Manitowish Waters
Author: G.M. Moore Release Date: September 5, 2014 Series: None Genre: Fantasy | Suspense Edition: mobi Pages: 216 Publisher: Self-Published Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Fifteen-year-old Tess O’Brien finds her life inexplicably intertwined with the rebellious teen Cain Mathews and the conflicted Wesley Thayer as they search the vast Wisconsin woodlands for a mystical albino deer herd.
An ominous curse, a mysterious fog and villainous poachers plague their journeys as the three struggle to come to terms with their lives, their parents and the wilderness they love.
“Ghosts of Manitowish Waters “is a coming of age story about finding your own path and following it. It’s a lesson in knowing when to obey your parents and when to have the courage to defy them.
Rating
Review
I managed to reach chapter eight on my second read and after I saw that I couldn’t go on, I stopped.
I loved the simple cover, the wonderful reviews and the blurb. I thought that this book could be great, but it fell short (for me). At first I thought it was because I had a lot on my mind so I read it again, but then I knew that this book is just not for me.
For me the characters were boring and plot didn’t made me want to turn the page and read more. If I stop caring about what’s going to happen next, then for me it’s time to stop reading (sorry).
Said that, if you think you might like the story after reading the blurb and the reviews, I say… go for it, as you might like it a lot but for me… Well, we didn’t click.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “The screen door banged shut loudly behind her, but Tess O’Brien didn’t pay it any attention.”
Final Thoughts: I loved the idea of the book, but it’s just not for me.
Review contributor:
Galit Balli
I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.
I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.
Read more about Galit here.
Book Review: Shackleton’s Folly (The Lost Wonder #1)
Author: Todd Yunker Release Date: January 1, 2015 Series:The Lost Wonder Series Genre: Science-Fiction Edition: Mobi Pages: 321 pages Source: Author Buy it here: -
Blurb
In a galaxy, ripped apart by feuding factions, one man emerges to save his people from ‘Human Hunts’ and the rancorous horde lead by a traitor to the human race, Wolfgang Gray. That man is Alec Shackleton. His mission is spurred on by a legend, a theory, his father taught him as a small lad: a human tribe, long before their time, had ventured to the stars in search of a new home. They were never heard from again. A mere 20,000 humans now remain, as a result of The Extinction Event of 2265. Somehow, this meager remnant’s fate is inevitably tied to their brothers of old, and Alec knows it.
Peril awaits Shackleton and his android partner, Dancer, as they scour the galaxy in search of a peaceful homeland and ancient relics. The Eleven Wonders of the Universe, monuments of great treasure left behind by an extinct empire, are also in play, leading the duo to dangerous, inhospitable realms, where death seems all but certain.
Characters abound in this rollicking adventure, some bent on destroying the human race, even if it means killing millions of other beings. If it weren’t for a stroke of good fortune, Alec’s quest, as well as mankind’s future, would have been nipped in the bud. However, the timely acquisition of a priceless map and curious slave girl helps Shackleton’s team find the path to their destiny.
The young slave, Elektra, is stunning, but elusive. She knows far too much to simply be a peasant girl taken hostage. Her shadowy past will eventually come to light, revealing a dark secret of a stolen technology that could ultimately destroy the world. The mysterious beauty’s mission continues, but to what end, only time will tell.
Rating
Review
I am in no way saying this is a horrible book. For the right person it could be a fantastic book, but I am not the right person. I could not get into this novel at all. It’s just not my cup of tea.
What I did read of it looked very clean and clear of grammatical errors or spelling errors. It looks like it has been well edited and much loved by the author. My apologies to the author that I was unable to really get into this book.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Review contributor:
Heather Mostella:
I’m a reader, writer, dreamer, and crafter. I like to create things and I love to see what others create. I avoid reality as much as possible, and often pretend I’m a vampire. I also own a group of black cats, so my neighbors think I’m a witch and I’m okay with that. I am a fan girl.
I love shows like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Grimm. I love anime and dream of one day going to Japan. I just like to have fun, enjoy life, and do what makes me happy.
Read more about Heather here.
Book Review: McCall & Company: Workman’s Complication
Author: Rich Leder Release Date: 7th September 2014 Series: McCall & Company Genre: Mystery | Humor Edition: mobi (Kindle) Pages: 5448 Publisher: Laugh Riot Press Source: Publicist Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
WAY-OFF BROADWAY ACTRESS. MURDERED PI FATHER. NEW DAY JOB.
Off-off-off-off Broadway actress Kate McCall inherits her father’s New York private investigations business after he’s a whole lot of murdered in a life insurance company elevator.
A concrete-carrying, ballroom-dancing construction mule says he fell off the scaffolding, can never work—or dance—again, and sues the contractor for a whole lot of money.
Kate assembles the eccentric tenants of her brownstone and her histrionic acting troupe to help her crack the cases, and they stir up a whole lot of trouble.
But not as much as Kate, who sticks her nose in the middle of the multi-million-dollar life-insurance scam her father was investigating and gets a whole lot of arrested for murdering a medical examiner.
Will Kate bust the insurance scam, prove who really killed the examiner—and her father—and get out of jail in time to pull off the ballroom sting of the decade? She might, but it’s going to be a whole lot of hilarious.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
After I read the blurb and all the reviews of this story, I was really looking forward to reading this book. However no matter how much I tried, it didn’t click for me. I really like the overall story and Kate McCall, the main character, as a single mom, actress and fighting to pay her bills. Somehow after a few chapters, it was getting hard for me to really care about what will happen next. I think the only reason I did finish the book was due to the author writing style, but everything else fell flat for me.
Characters:
Kate the main character was written truly well and you could feel her struggles and emotions as she takes her father’s job as a Private Investigator. I thought that the other characters in this story fell a bit short. But, Kate brought me till the end and I am happy that I was able to finish the story and enjoy Kate’s laughter and hurt.
Romance/Kills:
I love that this book has it all. It has love, family, true emotions and tons of good humor.
Writing:
The reason I did finish the book was due to the author writing style. I loved dialogs and the humor that Rich added all through the story. The author was able to keep the suspense throughout the entire book, but still kept it light for us to enjoy the story more.
Beginning:
The first third of the story was very slow and I did fought with it to continue reading, but as I got to know Kate more, I just really wanted to know even more about her and how she will deal with things. There were some bits of information that did not needed to be there that soon for Kate, but this confusion did not stopped me from reading.
Ending:
I loved how the story ends, just as it started and for me the story ended with good closure of the whole story.
Cover Art:
The cover art is nice and fits the story, and it has the book feel in mind very well though.
Blurb:
The blurb is nicely written and hints of the mysteries to come, very well.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “It was harder to sing with the vampire teeth than I thought it would be.”
Highlights: For me the highlight of the story was the humor and Kate, both kept me reading and enjoying the overall story.
Lowlights: For me the other characters in the book, even Kate’s son all fell flat and I just didn’t care about them much. There were a few bits in the story that didn’t add up with the cases Kate worked on, but Kate’s true nature kept me hooked to the story.
Final Thoughts: I enjoyed reading the story and I might come back to it in some other time. It was a weird mixture of things, but by the end of the book I realized I did enjoy reading it.
Review contributor:
Galit Balli
I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.
I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.
Read more about Galit here.
Book Review: Delilah Dusticle
Author: A.J. York Release Date: June 1st 2014 Series: Delilah Dusticle Genre: Children’s Fantasy Edition: mobi Pages: 96 Publisher: Self-Published Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Delilah Dusticle has special powers. She can completely eradicate dust. With her quiver pouch of special dusters, Delilah can run up walls, reaching places others just can’t. As a maid in the Fenchurch-Whittington house, Delilah’s unusual skills soon lead to her being promoted to Chief Dust Eradicator and Remover. Until one day, when a broken heart leads to her powers taking an expected turn.
This is the first book in a quirky middle grade fantasy series. The story entices the reader into a new and magical world that appeals to both kids and adults. The reader can explore how the ordinary in life can be extraordinarily overlooked, how friendship can help you overcome life’s difficulties and how accepting yourself is the biggest challenge of all.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
This is an adorable story about a woman who has a special power to eradicate dust. She gets her heart broken, loses her job, and instead of getting rid of dust, she creates dust. It is a story about digging yourself out of the dark hole you have put yourself in. It’s about not fearing what is ahead of you and not to fear to try new things. It’s also a story about how important friends can be.
If I had kids, I would read this story to them at least once a week. It is such an adorable story and magical.
Delilah reminds me of a character from my own childhood, Amelia Bedelia.
Characters:
I love Delilah. She is a very talented woman who, throughout the story, learns to value herself.
Romance/Kills:
No death and I like it that way. Romance. There is a slight hint of romance, but nothing overly romantic.
Writing:
I love the writing. It’s very well edited and it would be easy for a child just learning to read. Which, I am assuming is A.J. Yorks main goal.
Beginning:
The beginning is just the start of a magical ride through the world of Delilah. You won’t be able to close the book until you have finished it.
Ending:
The ending was fantastic. It was a happy ending and the only kind of ending you would expect from such an adorable story.
Cover Art:
The cover art is so adorable.
Blurb:
The blurb makes Delilah sound like a ninja maid…and I love it! The blurb is perfect.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Delilah Dusticle began working for the Fenchurch-Whittington family at the age of sixteen.
Highlights: It is an adorable story that people of all ages can enjoy.
Lowlights: There is nothing wrong with this story.
Final Thoughts: This should be in every school classroom.
Review contributor:
Heather Mostella:
I’m a reader, writer, dreamer, and crafter. I like to create things and I love to see what others create. I avoid reality as much as possible, and often pretend I’m a vampire. I also own a group of black cats, so my neighbors think I’m a witch and I’m okay with that. I am a fan girl.
I love shows like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Grimm. I love anime and dream of one day going to Japan. I just like to have fun, enjoy life, and do what makes me happy.
Read more about Heather here.
Book Review: Sisters Of Sorrow
Author: Axel Blackwell Release Date: 24th April, 2015 Series: February 17, 2015 Genre: Fantasy | Adventure | Young Adult | Magic | Supernatural | Mystery | Thriller | Suspense Edition: mobi Pages: 332 Publisher: Self-Published Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Anna Dufresne lives in a factory that eats children. If the brutal machines don’t kill Anna, her guardians’ neglect and abuse probably will. The only thing this abandoned teen wants is out. But the factory is inside a stone fortress, on an island, where people are sent to be forgotten. It serves as a dumping ground — both for orphans who are not welcome at finer institutions, and for nuns who have disgraced the Church. The walls of Saint Frances du Chantal’s Orphan Asylum hum with secrets and buried scandal.
In the catacombs below the factory, something long dead, something almost forgotten, stirs. It offers Anna a key, and promises freedom, if she will seek it out when she escapes. She knows her plan will endanger the other children, but Anna cannot resist the call of freedom.
Her escape attempt triggers a chain reaction of chaos, shaking the orphanage to its foundation and laying bare its deadly secrets. As Anna flees into the night, she discovers that the evil nuns were the least of her worries. The swirling mist of the island hides terrors more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
Sisters Of Sorrow has an amazingly superb plot-line. It is a complete adventure-mystery package and this book is by far one of the best books I’ve read by an independent author. I enjoyed each and every chapter to the core and I literally had to drag myself away from the book to sleep at night.
This book is a masterpiece and I’ll recommend it to all the adventure and mystery fans. If you want to read a good book with an amazing story and superbly crafted characters, then this book is for YOU.
This book is about an orphan girl who tries her best to get away the cruel nuns of SFDCOA. She risks everything, even the life of her girls (sisters) and other orphans. But when she gets out, she discovers the ugly truths of the island and the asylum itself. The story shows her struggles and dilemmas beautifully and the of course highlights her choices which ultimately makes her a hero.
I enjoyed every ounce of this story and I’m going to re-read it soon, in fact I wanted to start it over again as soon as I finished it, but I have a lot of stuff to do right now to indulge in something so absorbing.
Axel Blackwell has beautifully proved that YA genre is so much more than Hunger Games, Divergent and Immortal Instruments.
Characters:
The author, Axel, did a fabulous job in creating, what I like to call as, the perfect characters. The characterisation is so strong that you’ll fall in love with each and every single character. I felt so bonded with Anna and Donny that I wanted to get in the book and help them out at tight places.
Even the characters of the evil nuns are so beautifully created that you’ll want to get stay away from McCain and Eustace.
Another character that I really enjoyed was that of Joey. The author really impressed me with such a unique character. I enjoyed having such a different being in a story like this.
Romance/Kills:
It’s a YA book and the main character is 14 years old, so there’s no romance but there’s a lot of love. Anna’s love for her girls (whom she lovingly calls her sisters of sorrow) is so heart-warming. Her attitude towards all her girls make me want to cry the tears of joy. She is such a brave little girl that I really, really love her.
Writing:
Writing style of Axel Blackwell compliments the story beautifully. He is an amazing story-teller. the writing is simple and perfect. I enjoyed reading the perfectly written third person throughout the book and based on this book I’m going to read all the books by him.
Beginning:
My heart clenched so bad when the story began. The nuns terrified me to no end and thinking about little girls and boys under their supervision gave me the willies.
The beginning was so powerful that as soon as I read the first page, I knew that I’m not going to be putting this book down anytime soon. I started to feel the bond with all the characters (that were mentioned from beginning) in the initial pages only and by the time I was half way through the book, I knew it’s going to be my new favourite.
Ending:
The ending of this book is perfect. It couldn’t have been better than what it is. I was so relieved and happy that the author maintained his level of brilliance throughout the book, till the very last word.
Blurb:
The blurb gives a fair idea about what to expect from the book. This book has so much to offer that it’s practically impossible to sum it up in a small blurb.
Cover Art:
Nice. I really like it and coupled with the blurb, it gives a really mysterious feel to the book. I love it.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: Anna Dufresne sat on the edge of her cot in the predawn hour, staring down at her mummified pinky finger.
Highlights: Amazing plot and brilliant characterisation.
Lowlights: None.
Memorable Quotes:
When I’m dead, there’s nothing else they can take away. And that is it’s own kind of freedom.
No food and no blankets gets you dead little girls and boys.
If a child will not work, neither let him eat.
Being Anna’s friend is a bad idea.
They can only kill you once. After that, they can never hurt you again.
Memorable Quote:
A troop of broken orphans, shell shocked into doing the next thing that must be done. The only difference was that this time, the next thing that must be done involved sneaking through a storm while being chased by ax-weilding nuns and a Joseph-Thing. These girls have faced the stampers and needle machines on a daily basis, this wasn’t much worse.
“Lady!” Jane interrupted, in a voice that made Anna want to hide under a cot. “are you blind as well as stupid? Look around you. There used to be a fortress here. It stood here for a hundred years. It’s gone now. You know why? Because it made Anna it’s enemy. If anyone ought to be scared, lady, it’s you. There used to be a factory there, now it’s just a hole full of sand and seaweed, because it tried to keep Anna on this island.
“Anna fought off an entire order of evil nuns, an army of mercenary witch-hunters, a pack of wolves and a-a-a Joseph-Thing, to rescue her girls and get us off this island. And now you are going to just saunter up in your silly white dress and threaten her? I’ve seen a lot of moronic behaviour since I’ve lived here, lady, but you take the cake. You are one dumb-witch.”
Final Thoughts: You’ve GOT to read this book!!!
Review by:
Heena Rathore P. aka The Reading Bud
My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.
The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.
Read more about me here.
Book Review: Demon Dance (A Sundancer Novel #1)
Author: Brian Freyermuth Release Date: November 17, 2013 Series: Sundancer Genre: Urban Fantasy | Paranormal | Thriller Edition: mobi Pages: 4159 Publisher: Middark Press Source: Author Buy it here: Amazon
Blurb
Nick St. James was born different. His extraordinary gifts have saved him time and time again, but they couldn’t save the one thing he loved most: his wife.
Now he just wants to forget his old life, but more importantly, he wants to forget the magical underworld that lives beneath the “real” world. A place where a man’s faith can determine the very fabric of reality. Where ancient forgotten gods walk hidden among us, and angels and demons fight for our very souls.
But nothing stays hidden forever. Nick’s peaceful world is ripped apart when a demon slaughters his ex-partner and marks him for death. Now he must use all his gifts to find the one who summoned the nightmarish creature, but more importantly, he needs to find the one thing he lost long ago.
Himself.
Rating
Review
Plot/Story:
After the death of Nick’s wife and her sister, nick start to plan and start to realize that he can no longer hide from what he is. This story is one big ups and down and tons of action, with lots of emotions. This book has everything you might want from a book in this genre and much more.
Characters:
Nick is a wonderful and surprising main character. All he really wants is normal life, after all “he’s just a writer” but life always seems to interrupt with his plans. Soon he learns that he can no longer hide from his paranormal world, but he also learns how he fits in the normal world. I loved the inner battles Nick faces and see how he faces them.
Romance/Kills:
The constant battle against demons is not pretty, lol, but the author details of these violent battles are not too revolting (for my taste) but they are not pretty 😉
From bizarre friendships and surprising characters along the way, I loved that this book ends with the best happy ending that can be for Nick, at least for the first book.
Writing:
This is a first person told story and it’s full of sarcastic humor and emotions. The author truly has a great writing style that keeps you flipping those pages fast and wanting to know more. I love how took this wonderful and harsh world of the paranormal and yet still kept our normal world and the humanity more dominant and more important to the story.
There are big, big names in this book that you might already know and Nick and his friends battle them all.
Beginning:
The beginning of the book was very fast pace, exciting to read and the author’s writing of the paranormal really grabs your attention from the start. For the first few lines you get to know the author’s humor and writing style and you are hooked 😉
Ending:
There were a few things, that remained unexplained, but I guess the author leaves some for next book. With that being said, the ending was still very satisfying and I am sure to read the next book.
Cover Art:
I loved the cover art a lot. It’s simple yet very pretty and hints nicely of the book’s plot.
Blurb:
The blurb on Goodreads was really intriguing and I am happy it didn’t disappoint me, as sometime this happens. It’s a short blurb, written with hints and clues and overall very interesting.
You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.
Other Stuff
Opening Line: “Leave it to an ancient god to ruin a perfectly good afternoon.”
Highlights: Everything! I love the characters, the paranormal world and I love Brian’s writing style a lot.
Lowlights: None!
Memorable Quotes:
Leave it to an ancient god to ruin a perfectly good afternoon.
Ann used to say that life is a constant battle between faith and chance. That by giving us free will, the creator also gave us chance.
It will never be you, Nick. The game is in your blood. It’s what made you…you. It’s what Ann fell in love with.
Oh, and Nick?” “Yeah?” “Don’t be so dumb either. You really do have a hard time staying in one piece.
Final Thoughts: This is a bizarre, entertaining and fantastic book to read, I truly enjoyed reading it.
Review contributor:
Galit Balli
I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.
I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.
Read more about Galit here.
The Reading Bud 
