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What a fun little read! It has the same kind of vibe as Sideways Stories from Wayside School, which I absolutely loved as a kid. Clueless parents who are blind to all the action. Bull headed kids who are left to fend for themselves. Teachers who have a dark and spooky secret. It's a formula that works, especially when you have an author like Haddon whose writing is infused with a natural seeming wit and humor. Definitely recommend for young readers or anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable escape from your day.
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I'll be real, I gave up on this. I can only do so many 3 page stories that follow the same format in a row. I like the uncanny and will likely come back to this in the future when I need a quick dose of it. For now, returning to this book felt like a chore and reading in that mindset isn't fair to any author, so I'm putting it aside. Sorry Shirley, it pains me to do this because I think you're amazing, but there are too many books on my nightstand to stay stuck on this for much longer.
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The steamy bits were steamy, I'll give it that. The rest of it left me with flashbacks of when I too was in an unhealthy relationship with an emotionally unavailable and inconsiderate boy. And let me tell you...it wasn't nearly as fun or sexy as this would make you think. But we're not really looking for stable and nourishing relationships out of these books, are we? No...we're looking for the steamy bits. And in that respect it did its job. But why were all of Miles' chapters done with a center-text alignment? That got old reaaaally fast.
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"Why am I doing this to myself?" I thought. "Because there's no possible way it could be worse than Allegiant." And so went my thought process when deciding to read The Transfer. Turns out it was...fine. Not great, but (thankfully) not terrible either. I'm not a fangirl for Four so SORRY I DIDN'T LOVE IT. I like whenever Tris talks about his sculpted shoulders and so on, but I'm too old for his brooding angst. Overall I think he's a bit of a bore and usually end up rolling my eyes and thinking "UGH" whenever he says anything. The Transfer was the first time I felt like Four was actually a human person with human feelings. The original trilogy would have been much stronger had Roth taken the time to build some of this character development, rather than writing it now like an after thought. Pretty smart move on her publisher's part though.
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Memoirs aren't really my jam but I keep seeing Yes Please on lists of new feminists texts (along side Bossypants and Not That Kind of Girl), so I felt like I had to read it. I don't know that I'd include it on any Feminism 101 reading lists...but I'll get behind any woman who lifts up other women, embraces strength, and talks openly about the difficulties of being a woman in the pubic eye. Poehler is funny (obvs) and smart with a sharp tongue, as my mom would say. That said, I'm never quite satisfied with a memoir, even when it's someone I admire and someone whose work I tend to like. Like I said, though, memoirs aren't my jam. But if they're your jam, then jam on this. It's a funny, easy read. Poehler writes with honest humor about a number of topics that many women in the public eye would shy away from (postpartum, body image struggles, etc.). I listened to this as an audiobook while at work and had to stifle a laugh many, many times. The guest narrators she brings in were the cherry on top. There were moments that dragged, but again, memoirs are not my cuppa and I get bored with them easily, though Yes Please managed to hold my attention more than usual.
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Steve, a normal "American" plumber who gets pulled into the Librarians' battle in The Library at Mount Char, often objects that Carolyn's explanations for how and why things are done don't make sense. To which Carolyn typically replies, "It doesn't matter." And it doesn't. But that's the mindset you need to really get into this story, you need to suspend your disbelief. Hawkins gives little teasers, but he doesn't reveal the secrets of the universe and he doesn't get wrapped up in the details. Instead he leaves much to the imagination. As Carolyn reminds us throughout, we're not reading a story about magic, we're reading a modern myth. The characters are complex, the mysteries run deep, and the plot is epic. It doesn't get much bigger than a battle for the power of the universe. Yet Hawkins delivers this story in such a modernized and unassuming way that it doesn't seem overdone. It's fast-paced, full of twists, and a total emotional roller coaster (in a good way). While there is some gruesome violence in this book, I wouldn't say it's gratuitous. It's balanced with just enough humor that it's downright fun. David, for example, is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, slaughtering countless "Americans" all while sporting a lavender tutu. But more than that, the book's violence has a purpose. It circles back to the characters' humanity and the sacrifices they've each made, willingly and unwillingly, for the underlying message of hope. In the end, even Hawkins' cruelest and most horrible characters are redeemed, in a certain sense, and made into tragic figures. Even Father, who is perhaps the most complex of these monsters - the stuff of myths or an Old Testament god - embodies this process. He is fearsome, awesome, and terrible. Yet we are reminded that he is also the redeemer, the one who ended the darker ages (which, we're assured, were truly worse than anything we can imagine) and ushered in the light that made love, compassion, and life as we know it possible. By the end I was left with a mix of intense emotions that I couldn't quite pin down. Reverence is the closest I can come to naming it, but I'm not sure it's the right word. (Maybe Carolyn could help me out on this one.) The various elements of this book - horror, tragedy, humor, myth, sorrow, loss, redemption, hope - all come together so nicely that by the end it's just...elevated. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to Hawkins' next work. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a wild and inventive read.
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This book is a series of cliches and obvious metaphors. It's not clever, it's not introspective, it's not developed. There is nothing new about the characters or the situations Anna finds herself in. Every single conversation with her therapist (which was only, like, every other paragraph) made me want to rip my eyeballs out. This is the same morally ambiguous, bored housewife story we've had for decades, and I would disagree with those who are saying it offers any sort of nuance. I tried and tried to approach it as more than a bored housewife story and as a book that dealt with depression and mental instability, but it just rang hollow to me. By the time we got to the heart of it - to the catalyst that pushes Anna past her breaking point and her subsequent unraveling - I was so detached from the characters and the story that it couldn't reel me back in. I recognized that the second half of the book was more interesting than the first, and I did feel for Anna, but...I don't know, by that point it just couldn't make up for the damage that had been done in the first half. (Which, I realize as I type this, is even more interesting now that I think about how that parallels the plot) Maybe I was just in a particularly cynical and misanthropic mood when I read it. I'll give it some time and try it again. I hate giving books 1 star reviews. But hey, 10/10 on cover art at least.
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I don't know how to rate this. I don't know what I think about it or even how to describe it. How can that be when I spent the past 4 months reading it?
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Kraken begins with a vanishing squid. Its disappearance is met by Billy Harrow with confusion and dismay, as the giant squid serves as the climax of his tour at London's Natural History Museum. For Billy, this disappearance marks the beginning of an absurd and epic journey into London's underground world of mystery, cults, and magic. This book is not an enormous departure from Mieville's other works (in that it still combines elements of scifi, fantasy, magic, and a surreal imagining of London), but you might not/probably will not like it if you're looking for the hard scifi and more serious tone of New Crobuzon. Instead, this reminded me quite a bit of Neil Gaiman in its tone, humor, and generally playful nature. If you need a break from heavy literature but still want something smart and entertaining, this is a great book to turn to.
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When you hover over 2 stars it says: "it was OK". And it was.
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Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals is a must read for anyone interested in the ethics of food, regardless of whether or not you are a vegetarian. Though I've since lapsed back into my omnivorous ways, this is the book that made me - an unapologetic meat lover - switch to a vegetarian diet cold turkey (hehe) when I was in high school. Recently, needing to reevaluate my priorities, I decided to pull this off the shelf and dust it off. And once again, it's done the trick. The second time around, I was surprised at its staying power and the relevancy of Safran Foer's arguments. He poses certain questions in this book that have stuck with me over the years. I wonder if I crave meat by instinct or if I crave it because I grew up eating it. I wonder, as he does, whether or not my kids (hypothetical kids, here) would crave a burger if they smelled it on the grill, having been raised vegetarians. I wonder, as climate change becomes a more pressing issue with each passing year, if eating meat is ethically and morally defensible - not only for the animals involved, but for the welfare of the planet and the 7 billion people who live here. It's not a perfect book and by now much of its revelations are common knowledge, but it is accessible, thought provoking, and worth a read.
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Stephen King had me crying on like every level while reading this. Crying from terror, crying from heartache, crying from relief. Point is - I was drained when I finished this and had a major book hangover. In a good way.
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This book is definitely a page turner. It's fast-paced and unsettling, but is it worthy of all the hype? Is it really Hitchcockian? Mmm...that's a pretty high bar. Putting Hawkins on par with the Master of Suspense might be overkill. I know people are going bananas for it, and I can see why, but I'm not left with the urge to push it on my friends and say, "You gotta read this!" It's engaging, I'm glad I read it, and I'm sure it'll make a good movie (which you know is gonna happen). Unsurprisingly, it's being compared to Gone Girl. A beautiful young woman disappears from her seemingly perfect life, the story is delivered through alternating viewpoints (which are ordered asynchronously), the characters are all wildly unreliable, and Hawkins doles out key information in a very piecemeal fashion. Great - a recipe for success. Except...it's just not done quite as well. To varying degrees, the characters lack a certain depth and believability. I believed Rachel's character, she felt frustratingly real to me, but others - like the detectives - were pretty flat. It didn't quite reach the point of being a character study because, aside from maybe Rachel, we didn't really get into any of their heads. It lacks perspective entirely from a few key players. The creep factor was high at points, but I was never chilled to the bone as I was reading certain passages in Gone Girl. I might have given it four stars, but there was one little detail at the end, a crucial one that I won't spoil here, that knocked it down a peg. Were this more pulpy throughout, I would've loved it. But it's not pulp, so it was just cheesy and totally took me out of the moment - one of those things her editor should have read and gone, "Yeah, I get it. I get what you're doing...but it's a little much." All in all, would I recommend it? Sure. It's a good concept and it'll draw you in. You might guess the ending before you get there, but the process of getting there is still fun.
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When I cracked open Bad Feminist, I was ready to embrace it as the feminist bible for a new generation. When I finished it, I was left with mixed emotions. I wanted to love it, every single word of it. I'm so tired of this anti-feminist bullshit that I was already fully on board with a book that goes after it aggressively, intelligently, and in a way that's accessible and engaging for young readers. I just wish she went harder and I really hope her next one (please write a next one) is more aggressive. That said...everyone should read this book. No matter where you stand on feminist issues, Roxane Gay will challenge you to broaden your perspective. Many of these essays were originally written for the web and have that feel about them. That's not a bad thing - it's the tone her readers are familiar with and if it makes it more inviting, then I'm all for it. However, at points it also sacrificed a level of complexity that I was hoping for. There were several essays, for example, that could have been reworked and combined to create one longer, harder-hitting, more in-depth essay. Overall it was a very mixed bag. At times it was scattered, redundant, confusing, contradictory, and surface level. Yet at other times it was hilarious, biting, urgent, powerful, nuanced, and moving. That said, I'm probably not her primary audience and I was bringing expectations to this book that Gay never promised. This wasn't billed as a collection of peer-reviewed, scholarly research articles. It's a collection of personal essays. She's not having this conversation in the academic realm, but with a broader, pop culture based audience. Which is absolutely a good thing. The feminist movement has stalled out and needs new voices and perspectives to bring it up to speed. It needs to shift in order to stay relevant, and Gay is helping that shift take place. I'm already 100% on board with Gay's definition of feminism and have been for as long as I can remember. I don't need convincing and I don't need it to be friendly. BUT, to a young girl or a young woman who has never heard these opinions articulated before, I can only imagine how mind blowing it would be. To readers who had a misconception of feminism or could never discuss their feminist beliefs openly, I'm sure this book was a godsend. To girls and women who are vastly and embarrassingly underrepresented or ignored in broader conversations on feminism, it must be incredibly validating to read these essays and see your own frustrations and struggles given a voice. For that alone, Bad Feminist is an important book and worthy of your attention. Plus I thought the Scrabble tournament essay was hilarious.
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500+ pages of shit.
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Wow. I don't know if I've ever had such a visceral reaction to a book before. I had to put it down and walk around several times to just absorb what was happening. It is a powerful, powerful book. It almost goes without saying that this would be an extremely difficult read for abuse survivors, but I've yet to read anything else that deals with this type of violence and transgression so openly, honestly, and fearlessly. This novel perfectly juggles themes of identity, family, love, and power, and does so with such a natural voice. I cannot wait to read more by Roxane Gay.
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Loved it. Magical in the best way.
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I picked up the first two installments because this series is always on the "Best Of" lists. Idk, it just wasn't for me I guess. It was thin and cliched and told a different version of the same story that others have told much better. Also Yorick is really annoying. I'm usually a stickler about finishing a series once I start it, but I think I'm gonna skip it this time.
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I'm hugely disappointed. Don't promise me Harry Potter for adults and give me this. I've been waiting since I was 11 for my Hogwarts letter...you dangle magic college in front of me and then it turns out to suck? It's just dream crushing. Here is my list of grievances with this book (to be updated as it really sinks in): 1) Magic is real but you're probably too stupid to do it. 2) Magic is real but being an adult still sucks and is monotonous and dreary. Magic provides no escape or relief and doesn't even sound that cool. 3) Scenario: You killed your classmate. Spend approximately 2 paragraphs feeling bad about it and forget that peripheral character! She's literally of no consequence and was introduced only to be killed off in this scene! 5) Scenario: You can do magic and are financially taken care of through our magical slush fund, do literally anything you want in life...or...don't. Post-Brakebills life reads a lot like a bunch of whiny rich kid problems. 4) SO PRETENTIOUS. It oozes off the page. Quentin says of Fogg: "He spoke...as if he wished he had an English accent but wasn't quite pretentious enough to affect one." I don't think there's a better description of Grossman's own writing style, or even of the whole plot of this book. It'd be acceptable if it were just a nod or if he did something clever with it...but he doesn't. And it added a layer of distraction, having to constantly remind myself that these kids were supposed to be American. Had I not known, I never in a thousand years would have guessed Quentin was from Brooklyn. 5) The only character who shows any kind of development or maturity is killed. I didn't feel anything for any of the other characters in this book, Quentin included. I don't need my characters to be likable, but I appreciate it when they make me feel anything other than annoyed. For 400 pages. 6) Back to it being pretentious. Good fantasy is fun and exciting - Grossman is like the kid at the party who thinks it's cool to be too cool for it. If you think fantasy is dumb why didn't you write a different book? Maybe that's not fair, maybe it's Quentin who thinks he's too cool for it, but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. 7) The world building was sub par. 90% of it was pilfered from Harry Potter and Narnia and 0% of it felt real. Can I picture Brakebills? Not really. Can I picture Fillory? Negative. What about this New York place? Never heard of it. The characters were mostly flat and entitled, the relationships all felt superficial, aside from Quentin nobody had their own voice, and their adventure lacked gravity because they only took it seriously for like 5 pages. 8) Quentin's got obvious problems with women but I can't tell if that's his character flaw or Grossman's. 9) This is the first book about magic that's ever made me feel like I'm not missing out on anything. to be continued.
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I wavered for a long time between giving this book 3 and 4 stars. Oyeyemi draws on just the right amount of fairy tale tropes, but the abrupt and out of the blue ending and the lack of perspective from Snow's life living with Clara tipped the scale towards 3. After I've had a few more days to chew on it and organize my thoughts I'll come back and write a fuller review.
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The Bone Clocks is the first David Mitchell I picked up and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I've caught bits and pieces of Cloud Atlas on HBO and each time I flipped to something else a few minutes later feeling intrigued, but absolutely baffled. I try not to read a whole lot about books before jumping into them so I don't spoil anything for myself, but from what I gleaned from Cloud Atlas and the blurbs I'd read about The Bone Clocks on GoodReads, I gathered that this was scifi-ish and a little weird. Perfect, two areas I enjoy thoroughly. What I was not anticipating was something quite so sprawling. It spans 7 decades (plus a few centuries if you factor in the Marinus/Esther backstory) and features five distinct narrators. The characters are all wonderfully flawed and expertly voiced. It's self referential and self indulgent. There's a subtle humor threaded throughout which makes it especially fun, human, and grounded. Perhaps what it does best is mix the elements of hard knocks real life (which can mean anything from first heartbreak to catastrophic global meltdown) and fantastic, escapist occultism. If scifi/fantasy isn't your cuppa, you'll probably disagree. If nothing else, I was totally engrossed in this book and couldn't put it down once I'd picked it up. As much as I enjoyed it, however, there were a few things I got stuck on. From what I gather, Mitchell uses some of the same characters in his other books, so maybe had I read those I wouldn't have felt like a few of the story lines were just a matter of convenience rather than significance. What I'm mostly talking about here is the Crispin Hershey story line. I loved how utterly terrible he was, but looking back oh him now, I'm not sure what point he served. First off - this guy is absolutely terrible. He's a pompous, elitist, misogynistic prick who's coming to grips with the fact that he's washed up as a writer, his marriage is over, and he's reaching middle age. But he's so perfectly rendered that it's hard not to enjoy reading his section. It seems that Mitchell mostly uses Hershey to anticipate some of the criticism The Bone Clocks would receive. Which...fine, but unnecessary, and could have been done just as well with Hugo Lamb and his friends. The whole Hershey/Cheeseman subplot didn't end up going anywhere either. It just reintroduced a peripheral character who turns out, in the end, to remain a peripheral character. I thoroughly enjoyed the Hershey character, but when all's said and done, he doesn't seem all that significant. And then there's the final section of the book - we return to Holly in Sheep's Head in the year 2043. Through our over consumption, exorbitant waste, and general recklessness, humanity pushed the world past its tipping point. Electrical grids are failing, the internet is a thing of the past, food and medicine are in short supply, and most major governments have essentially disbanded. This final section serves as a pretty stark contrast to the preceding 500 pages or so that revolved primarily around a fantasy/scifi battle replete with reincarnation, clairvoyance, multiple dimensions, and body snatching. Mitchell slams the brakes on this action and pulls you out of the dream world before you know what's happened, and I'm not sure I liked it. Jury's still out on that. It felt a bit like an addendum that he tacked on to the end so he could wax on about our path to disaster. Or maybe the whole jarring juxtaposition is the point. Like I said, jury's still out. Overall I definitely enjoyed this and am a little less intimidated by Cloud Atlas now.
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Fat Charlie Nancy is as average as average gets and he is perfectly content with his average life. When he returns home for his father's funeral, however, he sets in motion a chain of events that throws his life into chaos. He discovers that his father was the trickster god Anansi and that he has a highly unreliable, unstable, and potentially dangerous brother - Spider - who inherited all of the good stuff. In short order, Fat Charlie's life is in shambles and he finds himself on a dangerous mission to save Spider and protect the Anansi bloodline. Neil Gaiman has a knack for writing books that are hard to pin down. True to form, Anansi Boys is an enjoyable read that does not commit itself firmly to one genre. He combines elements of myth, fantasy, urban fantasy, folklore, and adventure. He taps a broad range of human emotion, sometimes within a single scene, and does so with apparent ease. He sometimes loses his thread and transitions clunkily between Charlie's story and Anansi folktales, but all in all this is an engrossing story.
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I enjoyed this, but based on all the raving I'd heard, I expected to love it. It was a quick, fun read and a good book to shake off my holiday hangover with. I was a little worried because Mark Watney's log entries were kind of grating at first (you're a quirky botanist, we get it) but once other perspectives were introduced they balanced it out and I warmed to Mark. I did like the humor, but often it was a little much. It was like that one uncle who nudges you with his elbow and wiggles his eyebrows every time he makes a joke. It's also a bit repetitive (plan, disaster, ingenious and dangerous solution, but will it work?), but by the end I was invested enough in his struggle that I tore through it all the same. Or maybe I was just interested to see whether or not Weir would be ballsy enough to kill off his protagonist - a poetic death of some sort, mind you, but a death nonetheless. Weir was also pretty heavy handed towards the end with his big picture takeaways. The sudden and dramatic analysis of human nature seemed really out of place, if only because its tone was so different from the rest of the book. I'll be pretty amazed if this isn't made into a movie soon, especially on the tails of Gravity and Interstellar. All in all, I'd recommend it to someone who wants a quick, entertaining read. But if you're looking for something more thought provoking, keep movin. (Bonus points for the author bio on the dust jacket. Anyone who lists relativistic physics and orbital mechanics as hobbies is operating on a whole different level.)
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I tore through this pretty quickly. It was a fun read, just as sordid as Gone Girl. I wasn't a huge fan of Gone Girl but this one was a little better in my eyes. There were some plot lines I felt it didn't need - but that's a red herring for you I guess. And while I haven't really liked any of her characters (and I think it's safe to say that she doesn't intend for them to be liked) I appreciate that she writes her female characters as more complex and dark than typical. All in all, quite fun!
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The Shadow of the Wind opens in mid-centry Barcelona as Daniel Sempere and his father visit the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Daniel is allowed to select one book with the condition that he must serve as the book's steward for the rest of his life. He becomes enthralled with the story and the author, Julian Carax, and sets out to find more of Carax's work. These efforts, however, bring him the unwanted attention of a man named Lain Coubert, whose sole purpose is to destroy all memory of Carax. Daniel must unravel the mystery shrouding Carax in order to protect his book, which turns out to be a complicated and dangerous task. The Shadow of the Wind is a book-book; a self-referential book in the best way. It contains elements of mystery, gothic, romance, noir, and adventure, all with a heavy dose of humor delivered through the character of Fermin. The language is a bit flowery, which took some getting used to, but once I adjusted I enjoyed it immensely. It's a fun read that book lovers of all sorts will enjoy, provided they don't take themselves TOO seriously. I somehow never heard of this book until a coworker gave it to me for our Secret Santa exchange (thanks Diane!). She gave it a glowing review and might just be Carlos Ruiz Zafon's biggest fan. But, aside from her praise, I didn't know much else - nothing of the plot or the broader hype that surrounds it. And...I loved it. I was along for the ride and having so much fun. I had a sneaking suspicion pretty much right off the bat for how the main plot would end up, though there were bits and pieces that I wasn't sure of. I deliberately ignored my theory, though, so that I could enjoy the story and the various subplots. Zafon establishes the characters and sets the scene quite well. It's one of those books that feels like a movie is screening behind your eyelids as you read. And Fermin made me laugh almost every time he opened his mouth. I would recommend this for book nerds and anyone who's in need of a mood boost and wants a good story while they're at it.
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** spoiler alert ** The first two-thirds of The Secret History are suspenseful, mysterious, and intriguing, then it drops off. The final third drags and follows a pattern of 1) a conversation that reveals some lurid secret, 2) binge-drinking/drug use, 3) repeat to end. This could be interesting if the characters really went off the rails, but it didn't read as though they were really unraveling or grappling with what they'd done. They were drinking too much and doing drugs from the start and none of them seem particularly remorseful - just scared of getting caught. The pressure of getting found out is what they were cracking under, not that...idk, murdering your friend is probably a very difficult thing to cope with (but then again, maybe not, if that friend is Bunny). And I didn't really care either way if they got caught. I didn't care about them, I didn't care about Bunny (or the farmer), and Tartt never really prompts the reader to think about the morality of it all or what's at stake. The character's are never REALLY at risk of losing everything, or at least I never got that sense. So what's Tartt's point? I'm not sure. I also couldn't peg the time period. The dialogue is the main reason this was so difficult. They all called each other "sport" and "old boy" and "son". I get that they're out of touch with the world around them because they're so involved with the classics and are so very rich. But it was so very distracting and prevented me from really visualizing the scene at Hampden. I kept thinking: When are we? Do rich people really talk like this? They're supposed to be in college? Stop talking like Jay Gatsby. Judy was the only believable college student in the whole book, and even she was a caricature, and a peripheral character to boot. The characters never quite "got there". I'm not sure if we were supposed to hate them, admire them, fear them, envy them. Everyone likes a good villain, but they didn't feel particularly villainous. They never felt truly evil (except maybe Henry) or frightening , just entitled and beyond reproach. And aggravating. Maybe that's the point, but again, Tartt doesn't really bring us to a discussion on morality, good, evil, and the mundane. One last thing - the bacchanal. I kept waiting for more on that other than the really vague and reluctant descriptions she gave us. I'm not sure why she left such a pivotal and wild event so obscured. Why even include a bacchanal if you're not going to get into it? Not necessarily the details of how they reached that level of ecstasy or transcendence (or whatever you want to call it), but what it was like, how belief fits in (other than that you need to truly believe...whatever that means), and how that belief system allows them to justify the chain of events that the bacchanal kicks off. All that said, I actually did like it. It had shortcomings, sure, but in all I had fun reading it and will likely read other work by Tartt in the future. I'm sure there are structural techniques I'm overlooking and nods to Greek literature that went completely over my head. I'm pretty confident that someone who has a greater knowledge of the classics would get more out of this than I did. Still, I enjoyed it.
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Fast paced, dark, twisted, fun. By far the best of the series. There are some very, very grisly scenes. Scenes whose merit can be debated, but which may stir up some very dark and ugly memories if you've experienced something similar.
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Not my favorite by him, although I liked the ending quite a bit. This one just seemed so full of lines that were obviously...lines. Intended to be quotable. Blegh. But those Hempstocks were pretty great. Gaiman is such a fun story teller that I'll always read him because even if there are parts of his writing that irk me sometimes the story is fun and heartfelt and entertaining.
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This is hell on Earth. I can't even rate it because I had zero desire to read it, which made it a downright torturous experience. I read it for a class with my trusty Ulysses reader in tow, and would not have survived otherwise. Who are you lunatics who enjoyed this?
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The Strange Library has all of (or almost all of) the elements of a Murakami story that I love, distilled into one quick read. The illustrations and the recurrence of familiar Murakami themes and characters/character-types serve to elevate the story's dreamlike atmosphere. It was made both familiar and strange, as the best/worst dreams often feel. That said, those unfamiliar with his work will probably finish this with a sense of "what the f did I just read". It would be unfair to compare this to his novels. It's an experiment and a way for Murakami to play with new formats and new methods of expression. I for one really enjoyed it and hope he takes the experiment further next time. I haven't quite worked out exactly what he's saying, I only just finished it 20 minutes ago. But I suspect that as with any other parable, or any other Murakami story for that matter, its meaning will become clear (and change and evolve) the longer I sit with it. What I do know is that I had an immediate emotional response and that's usually the first phase in understanding Murakami for me. I think those writing The Strange Library off as a failed attempt at scaring children into behaving are missing the point - taking it too seriously and too literally. I think it was originally published for adolescents, but being familiar with Murakami's decidedly NOT kid-friendly work makes this of interest to adults too.
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You can definitely tell this is early Murakami, but it was still great. I'm sitting here with postpartum book depression, wondering what I'm going to do when I run out of Murakami books to read.
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This book dragged a little for me, but it's Franzen so I knew it would going into it. (Sometimes it's like his whole goal is just to make you suffer.) It's preachy, snooty, and melodramatic. It paints a pretty dismal portrait of the modern American experience (for the privileged class, at least) and it's full of "big picture" questions like: "What is freedom?" "What is the price we pay for freedom?" and, "Am I an asshole?" I can answer the last one with an emphatic "yes." Freedom is the story of an asshole couple, their asshole friend, their asshole kids, and their asshole neighbors. It will remind you of at least a dozen assholes you know IRL. But...that's the point, so whatever. I hated it, but not because it's bad; I hated it because you're supposed to. That's what we do, right? We're a society of disingenuous, self-absorbed assholes, pseudo intellectuals, and haters. Sigh. I'll give him that, it's hard to talk about why you don't like this book without it looking like you're proving his point. *shakes fist, mutters "Franzen!"* Jonathan Franzen excels at writing characters who are just the worst, and the characters in Freedom are a prime example. Though thoroughly unlikeable, he's an expert at character development, so I felt as though I knew each of them well. They're flawed, layered, and almost unbearably real, reminding us that while we might not like what we see in them, we certainly recognize traces of them in ourselves. Aside from the jerk factor, this book's one major shortcoming is the total lack of Jessica's perspective. Leaving her out was an enormous mistake and one that I'm just kind of confused about. Franzen included Joey's weirdo story line, Jessica's would have provided a nice counterbalance. Or maybe not, maybe she would have been even more infuriating. In any case, it's total absence was strange and disappointing. But...whatever. I'm over it.
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All hail Zadie Smith!
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I have no idea how factual this book actually is, but I'm going to pretend it's all true because it was a fun and inspirational read. The cheesy, journalistic tone was distracting, but it didn't spoil it for me. As brutal as ultra running sounds, I'm still sitting here with the urge to lace up.
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I have grown to love this book. When I first finished it, I thought, "meh." It wasn't quite the Murakami I knew and was looking for at the time. It's lacking a certain degree of weird. (There's some weird alright, but not the super crazy weird you might come to expect from Murakami.) With each passing month, however, I think about it more and more; it's slowly sinking in on deeper levels. Partially this is because the story itself is haunting and unresolved. On the other hand, I think it's also an example of Murakami at his best - balancing his surrealist, other-wordly imagination with his poetic simplicity. Just the right amount of weird, in other words. He's working with many of the same themes and character types - mysterious characters, heavy noir vibe, jazz, femme fatale, doomed love, zippy car ride, a finely shaped ear - but they're dialed back a bit. This, to me, ends up making them more potent and not relegated to the world of allegory and kitsch.
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Having finished Hard Boiled Wonderland a week earlier, I was psyched to read 1Q84. By 300 pages in my interest was waning, but I was willing to cut Murakami some slack. I figured I was only around 1/3 in and there was plenty of time for a turn around. By 700 pages in, I was just trying to finish it. The story lost it's punch, it was confusing and I wasn't nearly as afraid of (or interested in) the Little People as you'd have to be to care about how it's going to end. Some of the character development was inconsistent too. And I know Murakami's got a little freak to him, but the constant underlying thread of kinky sex took away from the story and the characters for me. Clearly it's an aspect of life that Murakami is interested in exploring, but I didn't find that his fixation with the characters' sex lives added much in this work. It had all the fixings of a book I'd really like, but it never quite made it there. Maybe he needs a better editor? Anyways, it's not the last Murakami I'll read - even if the execution isn't ideal I think he's got interesting stories and a unique way of looking at the world. I wouldn't recommend starting with this one (or maybe ever reading this one) but I wouldn't write Murakami off because of it either.
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I'm jumping ship. I already struggled through Infinite Jest this year. I need a tangible plot line in my life right now.
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This was the first Murakami book I read and it's still my favorite. It's atmospheric and bizarre in the best ways. It's a fun, quick read but it will stick with you for a long time afterwards. This is one of those books that changed the way I saw the world around me in the weeks after I'd finished. The only problem with starting with this one is I've yet to read another Murakami book that I like quite as much.
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Masturbation, trains, golems. That's what I remember of this book. Decidedly my least favorite of the Bas-Lag series.
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What's the big stink? Holden Caulfield grows up and is still dissatisfied with the world and the people in it. Maybe I'll come back to this when I'm older, but at this point in my life it's just not for me.
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I think I need to re-read this. I don't know if I'll like it anymore the next time that I do, but I barely remember it.
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Money can't buy you love, and it'll probably ruin your life. But you'll have a lot of beautiful shirts to distract you.
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I read this book back in July after sitting with Pamela in her RWA hotel room as she cried over what this book meant to her. Yes. She cried. Then, I read the book and cried, too. We expect many things from our romances, but this book delivers content about women's issues, current events, and a spoiler that I WISH to God I could talk about but can't. The sex is hot, but this book far surpasses physical attraction. Striking Distance is what happens when one man loves a woman to the extreme. And I've got chill bumps just thinking about it.
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Ha. I'm here to review a different book, saw Jill made a comment on Anne's review, and decided to throw my two cents in. I really liked this book. More so--I like Samanthe Beck's writing. A couple months back I edited an anthology written by Samanthe's romance chapter (not released yet, I don't think) and her writing was amazing. Anthologies are short. About 1.5k-3k words and hers read like a complete scene. Impressive. I found Samanthe's website and read she had book contracts with Entangled and that's when I planned to buy this book. So, yes, you should read this. Her characters are charming and funny. Her writing is amazing.
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3.75 stars Caller of Light is a fantasy romance and the settings are fictional. There are mythical creatures called Critons. Without going into a lot of detail, Critons are similar to dragons. There are Criton riders and the riders can be bonded to their Critons for life. This bond is a sacred thing and can only be done by the Caller of Light. That's a good fantasy element I enjoyed throughout. This novel has a few action/battle scenes and, again, I liked them. Heroine gets to show her skills, Hero gets to show his love, and the reader gets to have their jaw hit the floor thinking, "That won't really happen, right?" I'm not telling. :) Caller of Light is written with three Points of View. That was a bit strange, but mostly we only see the Hero and Heroine's thoughts. I could've done without the antagonist's. He or she was a bit juvenile (sorry, can't say who) and I feel that person's motivations lessened the story. (It took this novel from a 4 star to a 3.75 star.) EVERY good fantasy/other world novel has customs the characters adhere to (Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc.) and this novel does. LOVE that. Great element and these customs were used to show the progression of Hero and Heroine's relationship. I wished the Caller of Light element was used more. I somehow got the impression the plot would keep growing and show the Caller of Light in action. That didn't happen so there seemed a bit missing. (I didn't read blurbs or reviews of this novel beforehand. My impression came from the text.) But if a book two or series is published I will read it if the action and plot revolve around the fantasy element with the romance. It's a good book; I enjoyed it.
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I bought this book because it was featured on Wonkomance and because of the blurb. I didn't even read Kent's interview. A heroine who pays the hero to take her virginity and a book that's recommended by Wonkomance for any reason is an automatic buy for me. And it was really good book. I enjoyed the heroine's motivations and I LOVED the interaction between the hero and heroine at the beginning. I especially loved how the intimate scenes ARE the progression of their relationship. (In romance, the intimate scenes show progression. But in Escorted, they're THE progression. That's awesome.) I also liked how the surrounding details weren't there--and if this book was traditionally published they more than likely would've been added in. We know the city, but the setting isn't overly described. Thank goodness cause I didn't care about what the city looked like. Much of the first part of the book takes place in a hotel room. Thank goodness. Who cares about the rest? The heroine's friend served very little purpose, except to keep uttering the phrase "Pretty Woman," and while a publisher might have rounded that out... That's all the friend needed to do. She transmitted some info we needed to know and then the attention was put back on the couple. It's written in third person Heroine view only. Not bad. I would've liked to know more about the Hero and while the questions at the end helped give us details, I wish that had been rounded out a bit better. I also wished Ander's arc would've been a bit more consistent. Things got a bit shaky after dinner at Hero's local/favorite restaurant. But they were fixed pretty quickly once the "grey" moment was over. Another plus, this book has a grey, not black, moment. In the end we have a self-published book that Kent admits to selling on Amazon in haste. She didn't spend much time editing because she thought no one would read it. So the little complaints--and they are teeny, tiny, tiny things--don't matter, because Escorted is Kent's draft for all intensive purposes. Holy heck the world is blessed with an author who can create this story without help from editors and publishing houses. It's a really good book and Kent has a GREAT idea. Throw up some more of your outside-of-the-box manuscripts, Kent. I'd love to read them.
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"Undone" is book #4 in the Fiery Tales series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. How are the sex scenes? DiPasqua adds more depth to their relationship by showing the intimate moments and mentioning others that happened behind closed doors. And the steamy scenes we do see definitely push the story. How are the story lines? Really loved those. The hero has a plan, the heroine has a plan, the hero interferes with said plans and all romance breaks loose. Review "Undone" by Lila DiPasqua is a full length historical romance novel set in France and the Republic of Genoa in 1660. "It is a convent, sir." Never would hero Simon Boulenger guess those words would inspire lust, yet after heroine Angelica straddled him while dressed in a habit he reconsidered. Wait, what? The promiscuous hero is seduced in an instant by a nun? LOVE it! Detailing the plot, for this novel, is a spoiler. From the beginning DiPasqua layers meanings and readies readers for one of many reveals. Angelica is wonderful. She doesn't take the 'easy' way out nor does she ask for help, because she can trust no one. Her secret is that dire. Simon is the classic playboy pirate who wants the new shiny toy and refuses to stop pestering until he gets it. He's not always this childish with women, don't worry. His upbringing is tragic and the man he is today reflects a person wanting to save the world. Simon often has an inner dialogue about how "he'd never done a rash thing in his entire life." Odd for him to think this, because when readers meet Simon he's in a precarious position and I can't imagine he planned that. Angelica and Simon's physical attraction is intense. Simon sports a hard-on 90% of the book because Angelica is near. "Undone" is a bit choppy in the beginning, with shorter sentences that are to the point - like what you'd expect at the end of a story or during an action scene. But man can she write descriptions: "Raw lust licked up his spine." "She placed her hand over her agitated heart, willing it to calm." "Every inch of her quaked." The start of the black moment is GENIUS. For the third time in "Undone," DiPasqua creates a conflict that no one can remedy. (And DiPasqua doesn't stop at three.) What an adult approach to romance. Real people reap the consequences of situations and in "Undone" Simon and Angelica do too. The only slight criticism I can give is that the black-moment-start is resolved too easily. A slight plot tweak would have hurt a few feelings, broken a heavy heart and added a bittersweet resolution instead of a neat and tidy one - making the 'start' all but forgotten. Well done, Lila. Your books deserve much love. You can read the full review on Ravishing Romances. "Undone" is a Rock*It Reads novel. Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review.
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The Devil DeVere series rating: 4 out of 5 stars "The Devil's Match" is novella #4 in this novella series and can be read as a stand-alone novel. How are the sex scenes? A twist for Georgian romance. The East's Harem has an influence in this novella as the heroine learns there are many benefits to a...erm, massage. How are the story lines? Wonderful, if a bit rushed. There's a strict word count and sometimes the scenes would read better with more transition. Setting "The Devil's Match" is a Georgian historical romance based mostly in Woodcote Park, Epson, Surrey, England. It prologues in 1778 with a scene from The Devil You Know, then jumps to 1783, just days after The Virgin Huntress ends. (Remember, novella #3 is a prequel to the entire series.) The Epilogue starts in 1794, and to tell you the location would be a spoiler. Review The Virgin Huntress's couple, Captain Hugh and Lady Vesta, are being wedded and everyone's attending Woodcote Park for the big celebration. Diana is making plans to leave Hugh's estate since her place as Vesta's caretaker is no longer needed. The Devil is determined to have Diana back in his bed after five (or four?) years. A wager forces our love birds to confront their still-burning attraction and the novella takes a turn for the exotic, erotic and unpredictable. (Sorry - more detail would spoil the story.) Our Devil has a juicy, juicy secret and it's revealed quickly - hidden during a conversation between him and Diana. It tempts me to reread the series and confirm if he's telling truth. Given his preference for receiving oral sex, I think he might be. Vane's strength lies in creating lifelike, complex characters who are not always heroes or villians. Vesta is irritatingly spoiled, yet finds understanding for Phoebe. DeVere shows random acts of kindness, but is still The Devil at heart. Like real people. Remember to stay tuned for the Epilogue, because it's not the blissful cherry on top of the story you'd imagine. There are two errors. Read about them here. Originally, there were only 4 novellas to this series, but author Victoria Vane is now writing at least another two novellas, probably more. Contact her for details! Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC courtesy of Victoria Vane.
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Dark Dynasties series rating: N/A (haven't read them all) How are the sex scenes? Sweet, short and hot. Read last paragraph in review. How are the story lines? Great. There are so many characters doing so many things, but everyone is trying to reach the same end goal - either for good or for evil. Would you read it again? Yes. I'd like to read the series. Review "Shadow Rising" by Kendra Leigh Castle is a modern-day fantasy romance novel and is the third book in the Dark Dynasties series. It can be - and in my case, was - read as a stand-alone novel. An ancient Grigori vampire has gone missing and Damien has been hired to find him...and is asked to report the now rogue Ariane should he see her. Physically drawn to Ariane, Damien struggles between avoiding her and seducing her, but never reporting her. Ariane is searching for the missing Grigori, her only friend these past 900 years, and will not stop until he's found. Once a Grigori leaves without permission the punishment is death. Ariane will not go back, Damien will not hinder her quest and she puts his neck at the end of her battle sword to prove it. I'm a reviewer for Beverley Kendall's The Season for Romance website! Read the full review here. Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC received from The Season. Published by Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing
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"Seducing Cinderella" is book 1 of the Fighting for Love series How are the sex scenes? Passionate and memorable with emotion that will make you forget to breathe. How are the story lines? Entertaining and character driven. Seducing Cinderella constantly revolves around the hero and heroine's relationship. Summary Reid needs full time physical therapy and Lucie needs Dr. Stephen, her sexy co-worker who's romantic intentions are currently towards Lu's uninterested friend. To achieve their goals, they strike a deal: Luce will get Reid ready for his rematch and Reid will help Luey nab Dr. Clueless Dumbass...or, Stephen. Review Gina Maxwell's "Seducing Cinderella" is a modern romance with scene-stealing characters and chemistry that proves everyone is having sex all wrong. Her writing is impeccable, but she had me at the dedication: "...I searched for, and finally found, THE THING I WAS MEANT TO DO." I still tear up reading that. Good for you, Gina. Reid is beyond hot. There's no other way to put it. With his body and hair and tattoos and confidence and words...ohh, his words. In their first scene together Reid tosses Lucie on the exam table, stares deep into her eyes and breathes, "So, Miss Miller, tell me where it hurts." Everywhere. Dies. We find out fairly soon that Lucie more than fancies Dr. Stephen - she loves him. This is expounded upon and picked apart later, but thank you Gina for giving us a heroine who truly wants another guy. Gina's writing is seduction on paper with lines like, "His breath feathered the drying strands tucked around her ear, and when he spoke, the vibrations from his voice rippled along her neck." Lucie thinks she'll never survive Reid's lovemaking. I felt I wouldn't survive Gina's writing. Her meanings are so layered and her descriptions and comparisons are so original that it took two days to read 155 pages. 155 pages? "Seducing Cinderella" sure as hell feels like a 90,000 word novel with 12 subplots and guest walk-ons. Reid pursues Lucie from the beginning, though he (and I) never noticed. Upon a second reading, I realized that Gina's subtle hints ease us into the big "I love you" making it the natural next step - instead of a sudden scene-crash so many other novels die from. Gina uses the best unique phrases. My favorite: "...pushed him with the strength of a baby bird." Find that scene and we'll talk about how accurate this sentence is. "Seducing Cinderella" is true to its title. Reid is seducing his Cinderella and she is sometimes clueless to his seduction. So she says careless things, mentioning Dr. Stephen at inopportune times. Genius. Now we get to read great emotion and actually see Reid and Lucie struggle. Then when Reid demands to know why Lucie chooses Stephen... "I don't know what you want me to say." In nine words Gina sums up feelings I could describe to you in four paragraphs. I'll repeat. Genius. The ending almost threw me into a seizure. Gina pushed the story one way - so much so that I was sure we would have a Rocky reenactment of Reid in the ring shouting "Lubert." We didn't. I then thought we may read the classic "let down" scene, where the characters finally see one another and have the story end two sentences later. That didn't happen either. What did happen was an ending that became predictable only right before it was read and a few lines that may remind you of a Young Adult romance. (The title is Seducing Cinderella, after all.) Gina did not end this novel on a Young Adult note, but she ran head first towards that line and thumped it. I sat there with tears in my eyes, my adult mind being completely at peace with the heart-tugging journey and my teenage heart beating staccato from the melodramatic ending. ... Food for thought - despite my usual dislike, Seducing Cinderella contains the most erotic and beautifully written oral scene I have ever read. Now go forth, purchase, and find it. Oh, and read my my site text, too. Published by Entangled Publishing, LLC Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. Novel purchased by Sallie.
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MacKinnon's Rangers Trilogy rating: N/A (haven't read them all) "Defiant" is the third and final book of The MacKinnon's Rangers Trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. How are the sex scenes? This has never been hard to answer before. They're so different. Yes, there is sex. No, it's not BDSM. One scene has dark undertones, another is sad because of what it symbolizes, another is shocking because of what they do...so, varied? The sex contributes to the story. What they do in the bedroom isn't just part of the plot, many times it IS the plot. How are the story lines? Better than the sex scenes. Amazing, shocking, sad, inspiring, nail biting... Would you read it again? I've purchased the entire series for that purpose. Summary Defiant is a 1760 historical romance located near Albany, New York during The French and Indian War. Lord William Wentworth sends his greatest enemy - and best Ranger - Major Connor MacKinnon to rescue his niece Lady Sarah Woodville from the Shawnee Indians. When Sarah is found, Connor must watch Sarah endure torture before he can negotiate her release. Negotiations fail, and Connor challenges Sarah's to-be Shawnee husband to a fight to the death for her hand. Regardless of the outcome, the Shawnee leader promises there will be a wedding and that the midwife will witness its consummation. Review Defiant. Wow. I get that "wow" isn't much of a review, but that is my first reaction as I sit here to write. The first time I read Defiant I was shocked by the Shawnee tribe's brutality. They burned people. They scalped people. They stole women and kept or discarded them at will. It's tragic. It's accurate...and they weren't the only ones who did it. As Pamela Clare has pointed out, historical romance fans don't read novels about the French and Indian War. They read Georgian Era stories, London-based and full of ballgowns. Defiant isn't your carriage ride in the park, sleep until early afternoon novel. But it is your what happens to a highborn Lady banished from the ton novel. In the midst of scandal, Lady Sarah Woodville is sent from London to New York where she writes a pleading letter to her uncle. Her uncle responds, asking she travel to meet him at Fort Edward. During that journey she is abducted by the Shawnee tribe. This is where Chapter One begins. Sarah's hands are bound and she is terrified, surrounded by Indians whom she cannot understand. A pampered Lady of the ton is not bred to survive as a prisoner, but Sarah lives. Bravely. She endures running the gauntlet, walks amongst the Shawnees naked, accepts a forced... (more) Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. "Defiant" purchased by Musing Sallie.
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"Thief of Shadows" is book 4 in this series. It can be read in order or as a stand alone novel. How are the sex scenes? My, my, my Ms. Elizabeth Hoyt! Scandalous sex scenes between a man of lower station and a lady of rank. And for the time period - *fans face* - Why I've never seen a woman be so bold. How are the story lines? This is a novel in every sense of the word. The main characters have detailed lives and backstories of their own, several secondary characters steal scenes with unexpected pregnancies, murders, comic relief and forming the next novel's plot. Hoyt's merging of story lines and seamless transition between characters' point-of-views is one of the best things about "Thief of Shadows." Review "Thief of Shadows" by Elizabeth Hoyt is a historical romance novel set in London, England 1737. "Thief of Shadows" opens with Isabel spying the Ghost of St. Giles in a pool of blood. This is a riveting moment for Maiden Lane series readers, yet it means little to someone reading Thief as a stand alone novel. However there's still an unconscious guy dressed in way too much motley being loaded into a carriage while a mob pursues, so the reader should be interested. Heroine Lady Isabel is quickly established as a modern 1700s widow, having taken a "few discreet lovers" then promptly sexually teasing the Ghost as he lays naked in her guest bed. Being a historical romance, this is extraordinarily out of character for heroines. These "promiscuous" women are usually mentioned as lonely, loose matrons destined to never find true love because they spread their legs for more than one man - or for the wrong one time and time again. Lady Isabel is lonely, she is a matron, but a whore she most certainly is not. "Are you calling me a whore?" His head jerked back. "No. I don't-" She stepped up to him, toe-to-toe, and jabbed a finger rather painfully into his ridiculously embroidered waistcoat. "I may not meet your monkish standards of conduct, but that in no way makes me a loose woman. Do you understand that, Winter Makepeace? I enjoy the company of men and I enjoy bedsport. If you are made uncomfortable by that fact, then perhaps it is your standards that you should look to." ...point for the lady. Winter Makepeace also veers from the usual hero. He wants Isabel, but he doesn't chase her. He cannot be distracted by a woman when he's given his life to the orphaned children of St. Giles and is committed to bringing them all under the Home's protection. Despite this, Winter handles Isabel's pursuit of him - and their steamy encounters - with a teasing, sexy confidence that leaves Isabel (and the reader) breathless. Thief tells a secondary story of the friendship between orphans Joseph Tinbox and Peach. When Peach is brought from the street they form an automatic bond, Peach only speaking to Joseph and Joseph sleeping in Peach's bed to help keep her nightmares away. It is endearing and sweet. I'm not sure how far Hoyt is taking this series, but I will buy their book if she ever decides to write it. You like it, why doesn't it get 5 stars? I hate that I don't love "Thief." I'd also like to point out that I have read several reviews and everyone loves it except me. And what do I know, anyway? The first half of "Thief" moves really slow to me. We meet the main characters and almost immediately Isabel starts her campaign for Winter. I enjoy reading about a woman who goes after what she wants, but the little information I have about Isabel makes it hard to sympathize with her. One time it is mentioned that Isabel is lonely and eventually she gives Makepeace a couple sentences about her insufficient marriage, but for the most part she seems no more than a woman who enjoys...(more) Published by Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC courtesy of NetGalley.
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"Lucky in Love" rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars "Lucky Harbor" series rating: N/A (haven't read them all) Lucky in Love is book 4 in this series and can be read in order or as a stand alone novel. How are the sex scenes? Yummy and borderline descriptive. Shalvis sometimes gives details, other times lets it happen behind closed doors and often times gives the reader a cursory glance. Her characters also make quite a bit of noise... How are the story lines? Humorous. I particularly loved Lucky Harbor's Facebook page (it's a character in itself) and the tension between Amy Michaels and Matt Bowers. Would you read it again? I think so. I also plan to invest in the previous novels to read the entire series. Heck I already have "At Last" waiting to be reviewed. Review Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis is a contemporary romance novel set in fictional Lucky Harbor, Washington. Where the first three books star sisters Maddie, Tara and Chloe, Lucky introduces us to Mallory ("Lucky's" heroine), her waitress friend Amy Michaels (heroine for book #5, "At Last") and their newly acquired friend Grace Brooks (heroine for book #6, "Forever and a Day"). Mallory and Amy's friendship with Grace occurs suddenly, but Shalvis did write them bonding in a crisis so the believability should be there for most, even if I don't buy it. The trio forms a group called Chocoholics and agrees to meet on a regular basis to discuss jobs, men and the lack of each other's love lives - over a slice of chocolate cake. Continuing with the Chocoholics theme, each chapter is headlined with a chocolate quote and the book ends with "The Chocoholics' Wickedly Awesome Chocolate Cake" recipe complete with frosting instructions. This is an adorably quaint touch and by the end of the novel I was starving. Never mind it was 3am when I finished it. Believability is important in any novel and Lucky has it, even if some character actions/reactions are a bit outrageous. (Examples are on my website.) However with outrageous situations comes humorous writing that helps Lucky read like a young adult novel - with sex. (i.e., When characters live in a town that tracks sightings of the "Mysterious Hot Guy" you really aren't surprised when your mother disapproves of you sleeping with him one day and offers to make him meatloaf the next.) All in all, Lucky in Love is an enjoyable, outrageous, light and fluffy romance and I look forward to reading the series.
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How are the sex scenes? Steamy and delicious with a heavy dose of realism. (i.e., sometimes they have conversation or compare each other to previous lovers, etc.) Some scenes are descriptive, others are behind closed doors. How are the story lines? The story revolves around the hero and heroine, but the plot thickens and thickens as you go. no pun intended...well, kind of Would you read it again? Yes. Probably once I'm finished with this review. Summary Mary Catherine "Cath" Talarico has been operating as "Good Catherine" for the past two years. Good Catherine works a steady job, avoids bad situations - and men - and has reminders of her mistakes tattooed on her skin. Neville "Nev" Chamberlain is a successful banker in the Chamberlain family business. To Catherine, he fits the stereotype: fancy job, custom suits and politically correct women who look as if they stepped from a Lacoste catalogue. Nev has other ideas. Catherine was surprised when she woke up and uttered, "About last night..." to her mysterious stranger and even more surprised when Neville pursues a relationship. Catherine wants the furthest thing from it, refusing to take a chance on life, love and a future...with him. Review Ruthie Knox is a rockstar and I am her groupie. "About Last Night" by Ruthie Knox is a contemporary romance novel set in London, England. First off - this is awesome. As an American I am used to American settings. Throw me a novel with a British hero complete with a fetching accent and I swoon. Dear Ruthie, I swooned. The writing is excellent with no repetitive (more)
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Rescue Me is the third and most recent book published in Rachel Gibson's Lovett, Texas series. How are the sex scenes? A half-step above PG-13, but there are several and most of them show the before and after. How are the story lines? Entertaining and believable. Some were left unresolved at the end. Review Rescue Me is definitely a quick, light hearted read with no deep undertones, but Gibson gives it substance with multiple story lines for both Sadie and Vince (i.e., Sadie deals with her father, Vince has problems with his sister's ex-husband, etc.). I do wish some story lines weren't left wide open at the end. The characters are likeable: Sadie is a modern woman who dates every emotionally unavailable man in a 20 mile radius and Vince is a closed off male who's happy to just be a jerk, yet often plays the unintentional hero. The dialogue between Sadie and Vince is witty, though during intimate scenes... (more) Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. Novel purchased by reviewer.
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The Look of Love rating: 3 out of 5 stars The Sullivans series rating: N/A (haven't read them all) The Look of Love (published in 2011) is the first book of Bella Andre's The Sullivan series. How are the sex scenes? My iPad says this book is 279 pages. I'd say at least half that is filled with scorching hot, clever, bocce ball inspired, stranger sex. How are the story lines? Story line. You only get one for your money with this book, but it's a decent one. Would you read it again? Yes, especially if I finish the series. I might also print out specific pages and tape them to my bedroom mirror for reference... Summary Chase Sullivan is one of six ridiculously good looking, overachieving brothers who go through women like a flu victim does Kleenex. As a world traveled photographer currently shooting a high profile fashion spread, Chase is ready to spend some quality time on the job site that just so happens to be his brother's multi-acre winery. We all know at least one of these families. Real life's version of the Will Smith dynasty. Chloe Peterson is on the run and suffering from obvious trust issues while delivering serious blows to Chase's heroic deeds by questioning his every attempt to help and remaining a tight lipped, obliviously seductive mystery. The entire story takes place at the winery and over the course of one week, excluding the Epilogue. Chase and Chloe grow to "know" each other and ultimately decide whether their new found feelings are strong enough to develop a permanent bond of trust and love. The supporting characters are few, but very adequate and add just enough to the novel's singular purpose - to drive Chase and Chloe's relationship forward. Trust is a the recurring theme. So much so that the word is written 50 times during the story and I'd guess mainly in reference to Chase's feelings, thoughts and words towards Chloe. Review The writing is some of Bella Andre's finest. There are some repetitive words that appear within sentences of each other (i.e., take her to a motel, leave her in some dank motel, I told you to take me to a motel), but as a whole the story flowed. The plot line is not multi-dimensional, but Marcus Sullivan's appearances are entertaining and I'm curious to read the second book and hear his story. If the Epilogue was any indication, Marcus will be a wonderfully tortured and wounded soul in need of healing. As whirlwind romances go, this one is pretty fantastic and we would all be lucky to find a Chase (or Chloe, for the male readers) of our own. See the review, a list of Andre's The Sullivan series and her websites here
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Authored by Marie Force Again, I wish I could write reviews for every book I've ever read, but it's just not possible. This is my favorite couple of Force's entire series (thus far) and I love, love, love the hero. Janey (heroine) is Mac's (hero from 1st novel) and Joe is Mac's best friend. I can't really give you details without adding spoilers, but it's a great novel with a wonderful plot laid out in the first two chapters. This book can be read as a stand alone, but you'll like it better if you read Maid for Love first. Details that set this book apart: I can't say without spoilers
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Authored by Marie Force As much as I would love to give an in depth review for this novel, I just don't have the time. I will say this is a lovely story and one that I really enjoyed. It has enough detail to keep my interest and is an easy enough read so that I don't have to strain to remember all of the facts. Mac is adorable and Maddie is one of a kind. There's the classic tension of the guy's mother not liking the new girl and everyone in the small town having an opinion. Details that Sets This Apart from the Rest: Maddie is an imperfect heroine (a/k/a she's not without flaws) and is a single mother. It's a great read, and affordable. So check this out.
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It was... different. I guess this kind of different is not exactly for me.
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Sanderson, live long and prosper! ...and write more
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Book is good. Musk is the Man.
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Sanderson, you sneaky bastard! :) First half of the book you were hiding how does the chalk magic affect the non-chalk world and why Rithmatists are considered more powerful than ordinary people. But in the second half it finally started to come out - physical barriers made with chalk line, mechanical devices powered by chalk creatures (view spoiler)[sound-absorbing chalk drawings (hide spoiler)] - it finally made sense and kept me awake till I finished almost in 4 AM. I liked the ending a lot, cannot wait for the next book.
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If you liked original Harry Potter books, and disliked occasional inconsistencies or logical flows there, than you're going to have bad time reading this. The book frustrated me so much that I almost quit mid-way. And if you enjoyed Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, then, for the love of Dumbledore, don't read this bloodydamn book.
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It was just so boring....
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I know there are people who love Twilight. I don't hate them: plenty of my friends are hardcore Twilight fans. I'm not one of them. Bella is very annoying and never stands up for herself like she should. She's desperately attached to Edward to the point where it prohibits her from having a life of her own. Bella's just, well, pathetic. The entire story is also, well, pointless. When I read a story, I want something big to change in the main character's world, for them to take a position of leadership and influence others for the better. I just didn't get that with Twilight.
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I was only able to finish the first fifty pages. That's how bad this book was. Brandon Mull is very consistent with this series-both books that have been released stink.
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It sucked. I think I was supposed to like Angela, but she's very whiny and annoying. Also, while I see that what they were doing was wrong, what about those girls? Some of them *almost* deserved it, that's how awful they were.
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It was really different from the movie, people.
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Meh. That's about how I can describe it. I know most people think it's this great class, but.....
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The ending was amazing. (view spoiler)[I liked that Kaitlin got to see what her family would be like if she hadn't become famous, too. Kaitlin's first encounter with the alternate mom was HILARIOUS!! But I digress. (hide spoiler)] The plot was a little slow, and there were way too many Wizard of Oz references (that's why I took off a star). Everything else was good, though, including the LAVA integration. Overall, it's a cute book but not something to choose over, say, A Wrinkle in Time.
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The love triangle(s) was interesting. I honestly don't see how that can work out peacefully. It didn't quite live up to the first one but it still counts as a good book.
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This book was out of my comfort zone, but Agatha Christie did an amazing job. And the ending...wow!
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This book was boring. The description makes it sound exciting but the story, well, isn't. I have a pet peeve with whiny realistic characters, and Lexi was an extreme version. For most of the book, this is what I wanted to do to her: She was that annoying. (view spoiler)[And then the ending!!! Dan was the one character that I liked, and then she goes off and breaks his heart because she's going to France! (hide spoiler)] By the end, I felt like this:
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Could the 'surprise' love interest have been any more obvious???? FYI, that's not a hypothetical question. I am really curious as to whether a 'surprise' could have been any more obvious.
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If this book make just a tiny bit more sense and was a little more, well, realistic, I would like it. As things stand, though, it's totally fake and the characters are like cardboard. Seriously, is it possible to have more stereotypical characters? That and you can see the big plot twist coming from a mile away. This would be a cute book otherwise, but I couldn't enjoy it.
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I'm warning you now: the ending is totally confusing. Other than that, it's better than being dipped in hot lava I supposed. It wasn't that bad, I just feel like hating on it because it was totally unoriginal.
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It's very odd, but it's somehow uplifting at the same time. Any book that is the base for pictures like this is definitely out there. Now I'm going to show some of the memes I like in a spoiler: (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
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Confusing but an inspiring ending.
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This book could have been amazing. But it wasn't. I guess it was okay, I just never really got into it enough to enjoy it. Maybe if I had read Parasol Protectate (or something like that) it would have made more sense.
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This book was so amazing! The only downfall was that it was so stinking short. I really liked knowing how Maxon thinks and what his family dynamics are like, though.
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It was really good, but *almost* nothing happened. I can't wait until The One comes out! If you want to see my pre-review, open the spoiler tag! (view spoiler)[ UPDATE There's going to be a masquerade ball! I was bored so I went here http://pinterest.com/kieracass/the-el... and saw all these masquerade pics. Ah!!! I am so excited!! [image error] (hide spoiler)]
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Actual Rating: 0.5 Stars Words do not describe how much I hated this book. I picked it up at the library because I thought it would be interesting. Boy, was I wrong. When every other sentence either has a curse word or mentions drugs/alcohol, I don't consider it literature, IMO. Sorry if that offends anyone, but it's true. This book was awful. Here's what I want to do to the author: The description of Disney was okay, but that only deserved 1/2 a star. This book could have been a cute read, but the author made it 'realistic' and completely ruined any chance I had of liking it.
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Ick. Ick ick ick. This book was going to be a cute read that left you with a happy ending and an adorable little couple. The author apparently didn't understand that and proceeded to ruin a promising idea. (view spoiler)[ And she doesn't even end up with the guy mentioned IN THE DESCRITION!! Come one, people!! (hide spoiler)]
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It's cute. It's not really AMAZING, but the author did a good job.
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This book was kind of short and covered SEVEN DAYS of their lives. (view spoiler)[And the ending was hard to believe. What guy on Earth would propose to a girl he'd only known for a week, and what girl would accept? (hide spoiler)]
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I picked this book up at the library on a whim. Little did I know how...odd it was. First of all, the description is officially the worst one ever, worse than My Name is Rapunzel, which has an AWFUL description. Anyway, here's my new and improved version: Meet Norrie, Jane, and Sassy. They're the rising generation of the Sullivans, a family in Baltimore, Maryland. They each have a story of their own: Norrie is in love. She's never felt like this before. The only problem is this: he's 25-and in graduate school-and she's 17 (possibly sixteen). No one approves, not her parents, her friends, or even her sisters. But she's in love, and, as she says, that's her only explanation. Jane is a character of her own. A rebel trapped in a Catholic school, she tries to express herself only to be rebuked. She doesn't see anything she's doing as wrong, so why does everyone care so much? Sassy is in a world by herself. Enough said. (Being hit by cars? Really, Natalie Standiford? Then, on Christmas Day, [cue actual description]. Now, I'm going to be annoyed. (view spoiler)[ First, the order of the stories should have been changed around. Norrie should have been last, and Jane should have been first. Sassy, honestly, should have been eliminated. There really wasn't a point to her besides completing the trio. I mean, honestly, being IMMORTAL!?!?!?!?!? This is a high school girl we're talking about, not a toddler. Norrie was awful. Honestly, Robbie was totally fake. Besides, in my personal opinion, if they were really THAT in love, she should have asked him to wait to have a serious relationship because of the dramatic age difference. Jane was the best character in the book, which isn't saying much. Her story is pretty much as follows: rebellious teenager figures out that rules are there for a reason. Ta-da. Sassy was too childish. I felt like I was reading a ten year-old's confession, not a tenth grader. Plus, the thing with Walter was so bad it wasn't even funny. On a side note, I wish I'd seen more of Brooks. He was really likable and it would have been interesting to see his reaction to Norrie running off with a GRADUATE STUDENT!!!! (hide spoiler)] Overall, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters felt like all of the stereotypical teenage girls stuck together and seeing what the author thinks would happen. I wouldn't recommend it, but obviously someone would or it wouldn't be published right now.
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This was supposed to be a cute story. The author apparently disagreed, and consequently ruined the book. And the love interest, who was clearly supposed to be a surprise, was clearly the love interest the moment he was introduced.
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It's really different from the other book in the series. Divergent, however, is not nearly as bad as Insurgent is.
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She could have made the story a little longer--fourteen pages!!--but the idea behind it was sweet.
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It's amazing!! Everyone should read this book. It might sound a odd at first (and it is a little odd) but the characters and plot are wonderful. The writing is truly amazing.
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This book is cute. I really liked seeing Isi struggle with the wind (that's not a spoiler) and it was interesting to get a glimpse inside Enna's mind.
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This was an overall cute book. I hadn't read Persuasion in a while, so as events happened it was kind of like oh yeah, I remember that now which seemed to be what the author was trying for. The idea that a guy would leave and come back, and just by changing his wealth and his first name people wouldn't recognize him, was totally not realistic. It was still a nice little book though.
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If the Katsa hadn't had such weird views on marriage and married Po already, this book would be a 5-star. Instead, it sits and 2.5 stars.
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Why do these covers keep getting worse? And, more importantly, why do the plots of the books deteriorate as well?
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ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!! This is me waiting for this book to come out:
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I think that Paolini messed with the ratings because there is no way that the average rating was actually around 4 stars. No stinking way.
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This book was....different. It was good for the most part, but the ending drove me crazy. (view spoiler)[ Tally suddenly realizes that she loves David and they decide to save the world from going overboard? There's only two of them, and they expect to be able to beat an entire society? (hide spoiler)] But overall, it was good.
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This book was amazing!! I cannot put into words how awesome this book was. I think it should be required reading for every person on the planet.(view spoiler)[Plus, the description makes you think that the ending will be one of those 'realistic' ones where 99.9% of the characters are killed tragically, but it's not. Which makes it even better! (hide spoiler)]
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Ick. This book was too horrible to describe. And then Josephine Angelini decides to end it with a cliffhanger. I hated this book.
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I loved this book! But the loose ends weren't tied up! First, let me explain the plot (the official description doesn't do a good job and I was confused the first 100 pages). The story is told from four different POV's, all students going to New York City High School of Creative and Performing Arts (CPA for short). There are four main characters, but a lot of minor characters. Emme. Don't even get me started on her. From the second I started the book, I loved Emme. She was so realistic, so alive. She's a member of the Teenage Kicks, along with Ethan, Jack, and Ben--imagine this band, but classier: Emme is a songwriter whose whole life has always been about helping her best friend, Sophie (view spoiler)[and hiding Sophie's ten-note range (hide spoiler)]which brings us to our next main character. Sophie, the characteristic manipulator. From the very beginning, she has manipulated her best friend Emme to have songs that make her the star. She was the one who convinced Emme to attend CPA, but now she feels like Emme isn't thanking her enough. Sophie is also hanging out with a junior named Amanda, who you find out more about later on (view spoiler)[ and her role in convincing Sophie to use Emme (hide spoiler)]. Sophie is dating our next character, Carter. Carter is a former child star who just can't get out of the limelight. His first audition was at 6 months, and every since, his mom has been pushing him to become a bigger and better star. He finally got her to agree to let him attend CPA, but he does a soap opera anyway. Carter's whole life has been one big part, but now he's finally stepping out of the role to find out who the real Carter is. Our last character is Ethan, the 'loner' in a way. Ethan has troubled history (minor spoiler, nothing major and is revealed early on, but important to the overall plot). (view spoiler)[ He once dated a girl named Kelsey, but he would constantly cheat on her, then get back together with her after writing an apology song about it. Finally, Emme confronted him about his behavior, and he's stopped. (hide spoiler)] Ethan has had a major crush on Emme since day one, so he's constantly trying to get himself to tell her how he feels. I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the overall message of the book was amazing with the background singer finally coming out of her shell. On the other hand, Sophie and especially Carter seemed weak and unimportant. Carter's POV was practically pointless, with the author treating it only as a good way to communicate information about the band. Sophie was great until the end, when she vanished out of the picture entirely along with Carter. Both of them were practically ignored any time Ethan and Emme were 'on a roll', so to speak. Overall, this book was good. I would have given it 6 stars out of five, but there was no real ending with Sophie and Carter was 'brushed' over in order to give an ending to the Teenage Kicks. This book had a great heart, but it was too focused on the main plotline and didn't wrap things up very well for any characters other than the Teenage Kicks. I still love it, but the author could have done a better job with the POV's.
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