The Bad, The Good and Two Fly Fishing Women, and a Life-Changing Day on a River
on April 22, 2011
This is a really well done novelette describing life through an angry fourteen-year-old’s eyes. I enjoyed it immensely, especially the superb imagery and description Kadish provides in regards to fly-fishing. I never was much of a fisher, but I enjoyed it as a little girl. The thrill of catching a fish still weighs heavy in my mind, and through Kadish’s prose I was easily able to envision Amanda as she trekked along the river, dredging up my memories of carefree summers and the palpable heat. Although I’ve never been in Amanda’s shoes, I believe Kadish does a superb job capturing her thoughts, feelings, and overall struggle as she attempts to cope with her mother’s betrayal and her grandmother’s sickness. I enjoyed the story, though some of the incidents do seem far-fetched, and while there is some discussion of religion, it is not an overbearing topic within the novel, but rather a touch upon the philosophical side of humanity. Three and a half stars.
Inklings
on April 30, 2011
I really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories. What I love the most about them is that they range from profound to humorous, incorporating all genres in-between. There is an underlying meaning behind each piece, and though it may take a second look, a closer reading, to get to the heart of each story, it is well worth it. Warrier has selected profound topics for her flash fiction, such as humanity, love and relationships, coming of age, politics, and change, to evoke further contemplation among readers. Though the selections may be short, they speak volumes and push the reader further, philosophically, as the stories take hold of the mind. On more than one occasion, the reader may need to re-read sections of the text in order to grasp all aspects of Warrier’s reflective prose, as each selection incorporates multiple ideas, but as each piece is fairly short, a close reading of the text is easily manageable.
I especially enjoyed “So What,” as it is such a short, yet profound blurb about society. Originally, I laughed, but as I thought about it, and then re-read it, I began to see multiple meanings and underlying messages that are incorporated in this two-paragraph story. “The Revolt of the Coconut Trees” is another favorite of mine. Warrier’s writing style is beautiful and she takes a look at humanity and its presence in the world in this humorous telling of coconut trees fighting back. “Greenie” was a wonderful coming of age story that transcends all cultures and is very touching, and I love that all readers, on some level, are able to identify with this story. All in all, Warrier is an exceptional writer and her flash fiction is a must read. Four stars.
The Second Fly Caster: Fatherhood, Recovery and an Unforgettable Tournament
on May 01, 2011
This is a very interesting short story about a young man coming to terms with his reality. As a child, we all believe our parents are perfect, but as time goes on, we begin to realize that they too have their faults. This is a nice, short, coming of age story in which the main character takes longer than puberty to come to terms with his father’s flaws and then, overcoming those of his own. The imagery in this short story is, again, breathtaking, just like that of Kadish’s novelette, The Bad, The Good and Two Fly Fishing Women. Whether you are a fly-fisher or not, this is a wonderful short story with great themes for all ages. Three and a half stars.
The Book of Lost Souls
on July 03, 2011
Muto has written a beautiful debut novel that will charm the hearts of readers both young and old. From the very beginning, the novel draws the reader in as Ivy’s life quickly spins out of control when she changes Spike, her friend’s pet lizard, into a human for what is supposed to be an evening of fun. The daughter of a dark magician, Ivy is able to delve deeper into magic than is normal for a teen her age and, therefore, is regarded as potentially dangerous by those in her town, especially after the lizard fiasco.
I really enjoyed this book. There is mystery, intrigue, suspense, and romance all packed into this wonderful novel, gluing the reader to the pages as the non-stop action ensues. I thought the idea of regulars and kindred people living side by side was an ingenious idea and really added to the story. The fact that vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and regular everyday people all live together in the same community is enchanting and reminds me of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, which I love, but Muto’s novel is a much cleaner, YA friendly read.
Muto is a very talented writer, fleshing out all her characters and their struggles as they work together to try and stop the murderers set loose upon their town by an unknown foe through a book of dark magic. Throughout the novel, Ivy continually grows, coming to terms with her fears, though she must ultimately decide between her friends and the powers of the dark arts given to her through The Book of Lost Souls. I highly recommend this novel for all ages and cannot wait for the next book in the series! Four and a half stars!
Quest of the Demon
on Aug. 16, 2011
Sawyer has created a non-stop action piece in which Darci, accidentally transported to Nahaba, must go on a quest in order to get back home. What I really enjoyed about this novel was the immense characterization. All the characters are extremely in-depth and well rounded, giving the reader the feeling of personally knowing them all. I also enjoyed that this is not a traditional good versus evil story. I’m not going to give away the ending, but I will say that I was surprised by what transpired. This novel is refreshing and original, leaving the ending open for both interpretation and a sequel. Although lengthy at times, overall, I enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it for MG and YA readers alike. Three stars.
A Singular Gift
on Oct. 01, 2011
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. This is a true coming-of-age novel in which Jean must learn what true friendship is, as well as decide to do right by those around her. I must admit that, in the beginning, Jean was quite obnoxious and her bad decisions made me dislike her quite a lot. However, she does have many redeeming qualities and, as we later find out, not all of her decisions were of her own volition, which helped make me like her much more as the story progressed.
I’d like to say that I would have behaved differently had I been in Jean’s position, but truth be told, I would probably have behaved just as badly as her, especially since power can quickly consume a soul, causing one to act completely different, usually for the worst. I think part of this revelation is why I was so disgusted with her in the beginning, but as I said previously, she does redeem herself, which is good, because the story itself is very well done.
Santore has created a very interesting tale involving magic, a world Jean didn’t know existed until her grandmother passes on, leaving her a box full of mysterious items. I enjoyed learning about the magical realm and watching the characters thrive, learn from their mistakes, and set new courses for themselves. There were a lot of twists within the novel and while some of the events were obvious in coming, others were much more shocking. I enjoy a story where I feel like I know what is happening but am also blindsided by certain situations, making me second-guess myself and the characters on the whole. I really did enjoy this novel and am hoping for a sequel to continue Jean’s fight for what is right. Four stars.
Tallen
on Dec. 24, 2011
Tallen, a character briefly met in Quest of the Demon, is back and the center of attention in this new book by M.L. Sawyer. A much darker book than the original, Sawyer dives deep into the world of a young woman betrayed and looking for revenge. Though I felt terribly sorry for Tallen throughout much of the book, I found her to be an extremely strong, very well written character. And, though I didn’t always agree with her choices, I completely understand where she is coming from and how grief and anger can cloud a person’s judgment. Sawyer has created a very real character in that of Tallen, and I truly enjoyed reading her story.
Again, Sawyer has left the ending of the novel open for a sequel, and I am very interested to know what happens next for Tallen, especially as there is much foreshadowing throughout the novel. I also really enjoyed how Sawyer tied events from Quest of the Demon to those with Tallen, and I am excited to read more of both stories. 3.5 stars.
Veronica and the Cave of the Wind
on Feb. 12, 2012
This is a spectacular novel; it’s the second novel of Hamilton’s that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. Hamilton is a phenomenal writer, creating vivid worlds that pull the reader in, making it nearly impossible to set the book aside until the very last page has turned.
I really enjoyed the characters of Billy Swift Fox and Veronica. Their ability to communicate without speaking, and Billy’s ability to appear wherever he wants to be is really interesting and captivating—I think all people wish they had some special powers, and Hamilton allows his readers to live vicariously though these children as they take on the powers inside the Cave of the Wind.
Upon entering the Cave of the Wind, both Veronica and Billy are tested beyond their imagination, and they must learn to harness new powers and trust their instincts if they plan to ever leave the cave again. This is a fast paced novel, following our two protagonists as they begin to come of age, hoping to stay together but ultimately learning to thrive by themselves. I really enjoyed the many adventure of Billy and Veronica, and though their family is wracked with fear for their children’s lives, especially as they can’t enter the cave to help them, their story easily intertwines with that of the children.
I also loved how Hamilton created the cave to become its own separate world, complete with tribes and even a wicked witch set on forever trapping the children. The characterization was great and so were the many different adventures, and I loved watching the children come of age throughout this novel. This is a really great read and I I am excited to read the sequel, which Hamilton begins to set up in the ending on The Cave of the Wind.
Blood Passage
on April 04, 2012
If you love murder mysteries, police dramas, and a few elements of the supernatural, then this is the story for you. Four years ago, Martin Liu was found dead in a backstreet alley, a drug deal gone badly, or so police thought. Now, with a young child making claims of remembering who killed him in his past life as Martin, the case is reopened with renewed fervor as not only the police try to find the killers, but Martin’s cousin, Peter Mah, also seeks revenge.
This just blew my mind away, especially the references to reincarnation. I don’t necessarily believe in reincarnation, but McCann’s novel will definitely make you think, and as creepy as it may seem, the elements of this story aren’t too far-fetched at all.
This is a very well written crime novel, full of suspense and intrigue as Hank Donaghue and Karen Stainer work diligently to uncover the truth. I loved the different factions coming to a head, Chinatown versus the police, in a race to see who can find the killers first. I also really enjoyed the complex characters in this novel as well. Not only are the main characters, Donaghue and Stainer , fleshed out into intricate beings, but even Peter Mah and the deceased Martin are given strong identities, making them easily likable. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good read. Four stars.
Marcie's Murder
on April 06, 2012
Donaghue and Stainer are back in McCann’s latest crime novel, expertly unraveling the mystery surrounding Marcie Askew’s murder, the police chief’s wife. A woman with many secrets, Donaghue and Stainer have their work cut out for them as the scour the town for answers, interview reluctant witnesses, and dealing with a small town police division set in their ways.
I really enjoyed watching this novel unfold, especially as Donaghue and Stainer are the perfect team and their witty remarks make for a very fun read. There is an art to writing crime novels, and McCann has perfected it, giving the reader just enough insight to allow him/her to make educated conclusions about the murder, only to throw new information into the mix, changing the pathway of the novel completely.
Donaghue and Stainer are also fleshed out more in this second novel of the series, giving the reader more background information, especially about Stainer and her love for guns. While there is a little more technical talk about guns and police business than I am interested in, it is blatantly obvious that McCann knows his material and has really done his research, adding validity to his story, and his characters, as the novel unfolds. I definitely recommend this novel. Four stars.
Bad Blood
on July 29, 2012
This was an interesting story dealing with lycanthropes. If you like werewolves, I suggest taking a look into this novel, especially if you’re partial to young YA and MG reads. Basically, the novel begins around a campfire and a battle between good and evil ensues. Val Sherwood is bitten, and it then becomes her job to protect her friends as the evil werewolf in question attempts to kill everyone in the Ecology Club. At the same time that Val must attempt to protect her friends, she must learn to live with her new condition, and her interactions with others while she’s attempting to do so provide enough humor to make the story comical.
I thought the characterization within the story was very well done, though the story moved very quickly, making it difficult to connect on a deeper level with the characters. I liked Val well enough, and her friends were interesting, though that fact that they couldn’t just listen and take orders irked me a tad bit. Overall, though, this is a pretty good read and I think those who enjoy werewolf tales will enjoy it.
Unlikely Allies
on Feb. 07, 2013
Once again, King has blown my mind with another beautiful young adult novel that sucked me in from start to finish. I absolutely adore King’s books, all of them, and Unlikely Allies is another gem that I highly recommend to any who enjoy a sound, realistic plot line, swoon worthy characters, a bit of drama, and a triumphant ending.
Kimberly, our protagonist and a highly engaging character, is visiting her father for the first time, having just found out about his existence. Whisked away from California to the Rocky Mountains, she is in for a “rude awakening,” but in my opinion, Kimberly handles herself extremely well. Though she doesn’t necessarily fit in with those around her, she shoulders the animosity of some campers/staff extremely well, while quickly making friends with others. I really enjoyed her happy-go-lucky attitude, and though I’ll say the book moved a bit faster than I would have liked (I so wanted more of Mason and Kimberly), I really loved every moment of it, especially the witty banter.
Mason, nicknamed “Greeky” for his Greek god physic and attitude, is to die for. Though he is downright nasty in the beginning, I found his search within himself to be extremely real and well written. Mason’s life hasn’t been peaches and cream, and the appearance of Kimberly brings extreme thoughts of jealousy to the forefront as, in my opinion, they should—we’re only human, after all, and if someone walked into my life and laid claim to the only person who’d kept me grounded throughout everything I experienced, I’d probably react the same way Mason does. But with time, all things heal, and I loved watching both Kimberly and Mason fight their attraction only to realize their true feelings for one another… though the timing couldn’t be worse as they’re thrust into a battle to survive… (and I just loved this… my heart was in my throat for the remainder of the story).
King’s story is highly engaging, bringing to life not only the characters, but also the Rocky Mountains. I’ve never been there, but through the descriptions of the wilderness and the harsh realities of an unforgivable terrain, I was easily able to imagine it every step of the way. I love novels where I’m drawn into the scenery as much as I am into the characters’ lives, and King achieves both in this latest release.
Destiny's Kiss: a Darkworld novel
on Jan. 09, 2014
Destiny is a magik running from a very dark past; a past her own parents sold her into in order to protect themselves. Finally free, yet living in constant fear, it seems that Des’ luck is about to run out as her past begins to rear its ugly head, sending her life spiraling out of control once more. This entire plot line really sparked my interest, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Destiny. She’s a strong character and I can’t image all she’s gone through in order to get to where she is today. Thankfully, it’s not graphic, but readers do learn fairly early on that slavery is an accepted practice among magiks and that the trade of young women is rampant in some circles. While it’s sickening to think about, Wolanski does an amazing job setting up the scene, showcasing the truths of human trafficking and slavery. But like I said, graphics are not involved, making it a little easier to read, but it’s still harrowing.
Wolinski intertwines her story with both the present and past experiences of Destiny, focusing mainly on the present, but giving glimpses into her past and her choice to run when the coast finally cleared. I liked the back and forth narrative, though it was a bit jarring the first time it happened because of the name change, but it was still obvious who the story was about.
There are many magiks within this novel, from vampires and werewolves to gnomes and druids, the list is extensive. Perhaps the most interesting but also jarring addition to this novel is that they all co-exist with humans–humans bending to magiks’ policies and customs, having special branches within their forces, such as the police, to deal with magiks, and to also honor their laws. The fact that the humans just seem to roll over whenever a magik showed itself made me a little queasy, but at the same time, it makes sense. If you can’t fight it, and you can’t beat it, the next best thing is to befriend it, right? Even if you disagree with their values and practices? Well, maybe not.
The one aspect of this novel I really struggle with, though, it was it was all a little too fast paced for me. I actually feel weird saying that because I usually love fast-paced books, but in this case, it just was too much too fast. So many characters are introduced to us right off the bat, and I never felt like I was able to wrap my head around it all. Each group has its own powers, customs, laws, and traditions, and once politics came on the scene, I found myself quite lost. The story itself made sense for the most part as it focused on Destiny, but whenever the politics came into play, I personally had a hard time following along. I think a little less information overload would have helped me follow the storyline a little better, but overall, it was a good read. Three stars.
I was given this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.