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Tag: Review (Page 3 of 6)

Book Review: Justified

May 10, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Justified

Justified – Varina Denman – Mended Hearts #2 – David C. Cook – Published 1 June 2015

♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

In a small Texas town ruled by gossip, Fawn Blaylock believes others are justified in condemning her untimely pregnancy. Stifled by guilt, she yearns for grace while the local football coach treats her with gentle respect.

Justified perfectly captures the rhythm and romance of life in a small town, telling the unforgettable story of a woman searching for renewal, a man looking beyond what others see, and a community torn between judgment and love. It is the unforgettable story of broken dreams, second chances, and relentless hope. Continue reading

Book Review: Jaded

May 8, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Jaded

Jaded – Varina Denman – Mended Hearts #1 – David C. Cook – Published 1 March 2015

♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

Ruthie Turner resents the Christians in her small Texas town, but when she falls for the new preacher, she must release her bitterness…and learn to love. On the surface, nothing seems to change in this dull town-yet God always works beneath the surface.

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Book Review: The Leveller

May 6, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Leveller

The Leveller – Julia Durango – The Leveller #1 – HarperTeen – Published 23 June 2015

♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

Nixy Bauer is a self-made Leveller. Her job? Dragging kids out of virtual reality and back to their parents in the real world. It’s normally easy cash, but Nixy’s latest mission is fraught with real danger, intrigue, and romance.

Nixy Bauer is used to her classmates being very, very unhappy to see her. After all, she’s a bounty hunter in a virtual reality gaming world. Kids in the MEEP, as they call it, play entirely with their minds, while their bodies languish in a sleeplike state on the couch. Irritated parents, looking to wrench their kids back to reality, hire Nixy to jump into the game and retrieve them.

But when the game’s billionaire developer loses track of his own son in the MEEP, Nixy is in for the biggest challenge of her bounty-hunting career. Wyn Salvador isn’t some lazy kid looking to escape his homework: Wyn does not want to be found. And he’s left behind a suicide note. Nixy takes the job but quickly discovers that Wyn’s not hiding—he’s being held inside the game against his will. But who is holding him captive, and why?

Nixy and Wyn attempt to fight their way out of a mind game unlike any they’ve encountered, and the battle brings them closer than either could have imagined. But when the whole world is virtual, how can Nixy possibly know if her feelings are real?

My thoughts

Nixy is a leveller. That means she goes into the MEEP to pull out kids who would rather spend their days in the virtual reality game while their body stays in the real world in a comatose state. When the MEEP’s creator, Diego Salvador approaches Nixy for help in returning his son Wyn to the real world, Nixy thinks it will be a quick trip. But a suicide note and a series of scary challenges complicate this rescue mission, as does a further surprise that awaits her within the game. Continue reading

Book Review: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

May 4, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Summer of chasing mermaids

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids – Sarah Ockler – Simon Pulse – Published 2 June 2015

♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . .

My thoughts

I wasn’t sure where this book was going after reading the prologue, but was pleasantly surprised with how beautiful this story was. Elyse has moved to the coast of Oregon, desperately trying to escape the accident that changed everything in her life – once a singer about to take the world by storm she can no longer even speak. But the words she can’t say are drowning her from the inside. 

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Review: Last Year’s Mistake

May 2, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Last Year's Mistake

Last Year’s Mistake – Gina Ciocca – Simon Pulse – Published 9 June 2015

♥♥♥

Synopsis

Before:
Kelsey and David became best friends the summer before freshman year and were inseparable ever after. Until the night a misunderstanding turned Kelsey into the school joke, and everything around her crumbled—including her friendship with David. So when Kelsey’s parents decided to move away, she couldn’t wait to start over and leave the past behind. Except, David wasn’t ready to let her go…

After:
Now it’s senior year and Kelsey has a new group of friends, genuine popularity, and a hot boyfriend. Her life is perfect. That is, until David’s family moves to town and he shakes up everything. Soon old feelings bubble to the surface and threaten to destroy Kelsey’s second chance at happiness. The more time she spends with David, the more she realizes she never truly let him go. And maybe she never wants to.

My thoughts

I didn’t really enjoy this book. I didn’t like the underlying themes, nor did I like any of the characters.

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Top Book Releases for May 2015 – Young Adult and New Adult

April 29, 2015 / / 0 Comments

May 2015

More new releases. Yay!! Every month we readers are treated to scores of new books to long for and swoon over (and read). Here are the young adult books that have particularly caught my interest for May 2015. Click on the covers for more a detailed review or synopsis.

Young Adult

 Halfway PerfectHalfway Perfect – Julie Cross and Mark Perini – Sourcebooks Fire – Published 5 May 2015.

Julie Cross has once again written a beautiful book that is equally touching and swoon worthy. In Halfway Perfect, Julie Cross has teamed with Mark Perini whose writing style and experience in the fashion industry brings an honesty to the characters and a depth to the story. 

Eve walked away from a successful and expanding career as a model and was determined never to look back. But an opportunity to study under a great photographer leads Eve straight back into the world of fashion. There is she confronted by her old agent, a young model whose story seems far too similar to her own, and an up and coming model, Alex, whose own career is taking off. 

Young Adult Fiction. Contemporary.

Crimson Bound

Crimson Bound – Rosamund Hodge – Balzer + Bray – Published 5 May 2015

If you are looking for a fairytale retelling that is original and breathtaking you need look no further than Rosamund Hodge’s beautiful books. Crimson Bound is no different. I was grabbed by the very first two lines – what a beginning.

This fairytale retelling has the caliber of a high fantasy. Courts. Demons. Kings. Princes. Magic. An eternal battle. And a dark, enchanted forest. 

Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy. Fairytale retelling. Continue reading

Review: Whenever You Come Around

April 28, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Whenever You Come Around

Whenever You Come Around – Robin Lee Hatcher – Kings Meadow Romance – Thomas Nelson – Published 12 May 2015

♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

Charity Anderson turned her back on Kings Meadow years ago, with good reason, and has avoided visits to her hometown whenever possible. But with her house in Boise damaged by floodwaters and a book deadline bearing down, staying in her parents’ empty home seems her only option. However, being in Kings Meadow dredges up a painful secret, and old fears threaten to overwhelm her.

Charity’s former high school classmate Buck Malone never left town, instead sacrificing his dreams to take care of his family. Now he enjoys an uncomplicated life as a wilderness guide and confirmed bachelor. The last thing on his mind is settling down.

When Charity’s dog causes an accident that leaves Buck with a broken ankle and wrist at the start of prime tourist season, Charity has little choice but to render aid while he recuperates. Soon Buck becomes the inspiration for Charity’s hero, both on the page and off. Can he also help her face and overcome her fears so they might find their own happily ever after?

My thoughts

A great contemporary romance, with a charming small-town setting, sweet romance and beautiful writing style.
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Review: Ember in the Ashes

April 27, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Ember in the ashes

Ember In The Ashes – Sabaa Tahir – Razorbill – Published 28 April 2015

Synopsis

Laia is a slave.
Elias is a soldier.
Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

My thoughts

This book was already on my to-read list, but when I saw a sample preview up for review I leapt at the chance to read it. Unfortunately it was only 20 pages long, which gave me just enough of a preview to be intrigued, slightly confused and needing more. It wasn’t really enough time to judge this book, but I can say that the characters sound intriguing. Told in two points of view, Laia seems like a confused and scared girl whose life is changed in one night and who must learn to be brave and clever to survive, while Elias is planning to risk his secure life for something in which he believes. I think the world building will be quite detailed, based on what is covered in those first few chapters. I’m not sure I understand much of it yet, but I guess it will be clarified as the story progresses.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

More information

Category: Young adult fiction

Genre: Fantasy.

Age guide: 14 and up.

Themes: Fantasy and magic.

Published:  28 April 2015 by Razorbill

Format: Hardcover, ebook, paperback. 443 pages.

Author’s website: Sabaa Tahir

Find it on Goodreads

 

Review: This Raging Light

April 26, 2015 / / 0 Comments

This Raging Light

This Raging Light – Estelle Laure – HMH Books for Young Readers – Published 22 December 2015

♥♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she’s about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend’s brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure’s soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

My thoughts

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. From the brief blurb it had infinite possibilities. I was pleased to find that it fulfilled many possibilities for greatness. Like poetry trapped in prose body, this book sings.

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Review: Immaculate

April 22, 2015 /

immaculate

Immaculate – Katelyn Detweiler – Viking Children’s – Published 26 May 2015

♥♥♥

Synopsis

Mina is seventeen. A virgin. And pregnant.

Mina is top of her class, girlfriend to the most ambitious guy in school, able to reason and study her way through anything. But when she suddenly finds herself pregnant—despite having never had sex—her orderly world collapses. Almost nobody believes Mina’s claims of virginity. Her father assumes that her boyfriend is responsible; her boyfriend believes she must have cheated on him. As news of Mina’s story spreads, there are those who brand her a liar. There are those who brand her a heretic. And there are those who believe that miracles are possible—and that Mina’s unborn child could be the greatest miracle of all.

My thoughts

I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book or not. I think I’m sitting on somewhere in between. I found it interesting. It is certainly concept that captures your attention, but I did struggle with some aspects.

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