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4 Stars for Legend
I went into this book not knowing anything about it or expecting much from it. Sometimes you uncover genuine book treasure when you least expect it.
It's a disturbing dystopian world where the western US is now the Republic and is in perpetual war with The Colonies (sounds a bit like our old history doesn't it?!). There is plenty going on in this book. There are also strong, likable characters - June, Day and Tess being some of my favorites.
The story is told from two conflicting point of views and it works perfectly allowing us to become part of June and Day's inner worlds. We easily see how different they are. June is a prodigy from the better part of the city being groomed for a future role in government. Day is an outlaw, a Robin Hood type from the poor sector. Cue in a plague that is killing people in the poor sectors & unfortunately affects Day in a very personal way. What else can he do but set out to steal a cure? Unfortunately, a series of unforeseeable events leads to a death that ultimately pits June against Day and that's just the beginning! The rest you'll have to find out by picking up the book. I refuse to give it all away with spoilers - it's worth the read.
The bottom line - you'll be in for a real treat with this YA dystopian series! It's nothing very original but I found it well done and drew me in. I'll definitely see this series through to the end.
I went into this book not knowing anything about it or expecting much from it. Sometimes you uncover genuine book treasure when you least expect it.
It's a disturbing dystopian world where the western US is now the Republic and is in perpetual war with The Colonies (sounds a bit like our old history doesn't it?!). There is plenty going on in this book. There are also strong, likable characters - June, Day and Tess being some of my favorites.
The story is told from two conflicting point of views and it works perfectly allowing us to become part of June and Day's inner worlds. We easily see how different they are. June is a prodigy from the better part of the city being groomed for a future role in government. Day is an outlaw, a Robin Hood type from the poor sector. Cue in a plague that is killing people in the poor sectors & unfortunately affects Day in a very personal way. What else can he do but set out to steal a cure? Unfortunately, a series of unforeseeable events leads to a death that ultimately pits June against Day and that's just the beginning! The rest you'll have to find out by picking up the book. I refuse to give it all away with spoilers - it's worth the read.
The bottom line - you'll be in for a real treat with this YA dystopian series! It's nothing very original but I found it well done and drew me in. I'll definitely see this series through to the end.
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👮🏻 3.25 Paradoxical Stars for Catherine Coulter's Paradox 🏚
This is the 22nd book in Coulter's Sherlock & Savich FBI series, but my first. I didn't feel it made a negative impact on my overall understanding or enjoyment of the book that I hadn't read of the previous installments in the series. Coulter did a thorough job of explaining any important back stories or relationships so that I was able to delve in seamlessly on this particular case.
Paradox starts out BIG! I was gripped from page 1 as we are instantly thrown in to an adrenaline pumping situation as Agents Savich & Sherlock are faced with an intruder who has broken into their home and is attempting to kidnap their seven year old son. Talk about getting your reader heart pumping wildly and that was just the prologue!
Things didn't seem to slow down with chapter 1 as we were transported to a seemingly tranquil lake scene only to find Police Chief Ty Christie of Willicott, Maryland witness a brutal murder while sipping her coffee as she looked out over Lake Massey. She calls in her people to dive into the lake in the hopes of uncovering the body without success. Knowing she saw a body thrown overboard, she opts to drag the lake. No one expected what came next - including me! Her team uncovered the body of Octavia Ryan, a Federal Prosecutor along with dozens of human bones they knew to be from more than a dozen different bodies based on what was recovered. Knowing she needed more services than her small community could provide, Christie calls in the FBI for assistance.
The first 5 chapters were a complete thrill ride for me. Then things began to slow down - a lot. I felt there were so many scenes where the dialogue was unnecessarily wordy and the repetitive descriptions of people's looks were rampant. I can appreciate descriptive language as much as the next person but it just didn't fit with the book. I want my thrillers dark, twisty and fast paced. I don't really care about the "wide-oak planked porch and double front door that was once beautifully carved but now creaked and looked ready to fall off its hinges." Open the door and go search for the bad guy!
As for the twists & turns - I had them ALL figured out. There wasn't anything that surprised me in the end reveal. I was hoping I'd be wrong or may have missed something, but I didn't. I called this one completely. Maybe its just me. I might read too many thrillers and watch too many crime shows. Now, it takes a bit more to stump me. Paradox was easy to figure out. I felt like Coulture fed me a trail of breadcrumbs, in plain sight, throughout.
Overall, Paradox was an entertaining, if slightly too long and simple mystery/thriller. The beginning was amazing - I just wish that adrenaline pumping feeling had lasted for more than just the first five chapters.
Thank you to Catherine Coulter, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of Paradox in exchange for my honest review.
This is the 22nd book in Coulter's Sherlock & Savich FBI series, but my first. I didn't feel it made a negative impact on my overall understanding or enjoyment of the book that I hadn't read of the previous installments in the series. Coulter did a thorough job of explaining any important back stories or relationships so that I was able to delve in seamlessly on this particular case.
Paradox starts out BIG! I was gripped from page 1 as we are instantly thrown in to an adrenaline pumping situation as Agents Savich & Sherlock are faced with an intruder who has broken into their home and is attempting to kidnap their seven year old son. Talk about getting your reader heart pumping wildly and that was just the prologue!
Things didn't seem to slow down with chapter 1 as we were transported to a seemingly tranquil lake scene only to find Police Chief Ty Christie of Willicott, Maryland witness a brutal murder while sipping her coffee as she looked out over Lake Massey. She calls in her people to dive into the lake in the hopes of uncovering the body without success. Knowing she saw a body thrown overboard, she opts to drag the lake. No one expected what came next - including me! Her team uncovered the body of Octavia Ryan, a Federal Prosecutor along with dozens of human bones they knew to be from more than a dozen different bodies based on what was recovered. Knowing she needed more services than her small community could provide, Christie calls in the FBI for assistance.
The first 5 chapters were a complete thrill ride for me. Then things began to slow down - a lot. I felt there were so many scenes where the dialogue was unnecessarily wordy and the repetitive descriptions of people's looks were rampant. I can appreciate descriptive language as much as the next person but it just didn't fit with the book. I want my thrillers dark, twisty and fast paced. I don't really care about the "wide-oak planked porch and double front door that was once beautifully carved but now creaked and looked ready to fall off its hinges." Open the door and go search for the bad guy!
As for the twists & turns - I had them ALL figured out. There wasn't anything that surprised me in the end reveal. I was hoping I'd be wrong or may have missed something, but I didn't. I called this one completely. Maybe its just me. I might read too many thrillers and watch too many crime shows. Now, it takes a bit more to stump me. Paradox was easy to figure out. I felt like Coulture fed me a trail of breadcrumbs, in plain sight, throughout.
Overall, Paradox was an entertaining, if slightly too long and simple mystery/thriller. The beginning was amazing - I just wish that adrenaline pumping feeling had lasted for more than just the first five chapters.
Thank you to Catherine Coulter, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of Paradox in exchange for my honest review.
4 Stars for Robert Dugoni's 2nd Tracy Crosswhite Thriller
This installment had a solid plot and the mystery keeps you guessing till the very end. I must admit I did have the killer in mind but I had it narrowed down to 2 possibilities - so it still kept me guessing until the big reveal.
I enjoy Tracy Crosswhite, she's a determined, no nonsense but very invested lead. She has a wonderful group of officers working with her and her Captain - Johnny Nolasco is definitely someone we love to hate.
In this book Tracy is tasked with finding a serial killer that is killing exotic dancers with an intricate knot that basically makes them strangle themselves to death. Not only is Crosswhite up against "the Cowboy" (the killer) but she also has a stalker and Nolasco maliciously interfering with her investigation at every turn to contend with.
Tracy Crosswhite is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The series seems to get better with each book. I'm genuinely looking forward to reading #3.
This installment had a solid plot and the mystery keeps you guessing till the very end. I must admit I did have the killer in mind but I had it narrowed down to 2 possibilities - so it still kept me guessing until the big reveal.
I enjoy Tracy Crosswhite, she's a determined, no nonsense but very invested lead. She has a wonderful group of officers working with her and her Captain - Johnny Nolasco is definitely someone we love to hate.
In this book Tracy is tasked with finding a serial killer that is killing exotic dancers with an intricate knot that basically makes them strangle themselves to death. Not only is Crosswhite up against "the Cowboy" (the killer) but she also has a stalker and Nolasco maliciously interfering with her investigation at every turn to contend with.
Tracy Crosswhite is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The series seems to get better with each book. I'm genuinely looking forward to reading #3.
"Cages were funny things. Although I'd escaped with my body long ago, only recently had my heart finally broken free."
10 books in and I'm still holding strong to this series because after all these years - how can I not? The last 2 books were a bit of a disappointment for me but this one, although not my favorite, was definitely much better & more in line to what drew me to the series in the first place.
I have always been a fan of Dani so I enjoyed that this book was all her. I know some aren't fans of Dani and Ryodan but I am! I think KMM did an amazing job of waiting for the "right time" for them to get together. I enjoyed watching Dani grow in this one and allow herself to be vulnerable. Anyone following this series from the beginning knows how difficult that would be for her.
The action was definitely at a minimum in this one because it was definitely more character driven but it worked for me. The idea of the red threads - things that are predetermined and tie us to each other - LOVED it!
10 books in and I'm still holding strong to this series because after all these years - how can I not? The last 2 books were a bit of a disappointment for me but this one, although not my favorite, was definitely much better & more in line to what drew me to the series in the first place.
I have always been a fan of Dani so I enjoyed that this book was all her. I know some aren't fans of Dani and Ryodan but I am! I think KMM did an amazing job of waiting for the "right time" for them to get together. I enjoyed watching Dani grow in this one and allow herself to be vulnerable. Anyone following this series from the beginning knows how difficult that would be for her.
The action was definitely at a minimum in this one because it was definitely more character driven but it worked for me. The idea of the red threads - things that are predetermined and tie us to each other - LOVED it!
I can't help but enjoy being swept away by the magic that is Legend!
I can't give away anything for fear of spoilers but I'll be honest and say that I actually loved this second book even more than the first one. The twists and turns were slightly predictable but in a way that I was hoping/rooting for and was very satisfied with.
I really enjoyed the story being told from Tella's perspective. She is feisty, loyal and quite formidable. I liked watching her grow throughout the book but my favorite aspect was definitely her dynamic with Dante - the chemistry, the tension, the raw emotion between them was perfect!
The world of Caraval is almost like a favorite character unto itself. It's dark and magical and absolutely mesmerizing. The images I painted in my mind as I read the book added so much to my overall enjoyment of the story. I can't wait to see what magic Garber conjures up for book 3!
I can't give away anything for fear of spoilers but I'll be honest and say that I actually loved this second book even more than the first one. The twists and turns were slightly predictable but in a way that I was hoping/rooting for and was very satisfied with.
I really enjoyed the story being told from Tella's perspective. She is feisty, loyal and quite formidable. I liked watching her grow throughout the book but my favorite aspect was definitely her dynamic with Dante - the chemistry, the tension, the raw emotion between them was perfect!
The world of Caraval is almost like a favorite character unto itself. It's dark and magical and absolutely mesmerizing. The images I painted in my mind as I read the book added so much to my overall enjoyment of the story. I can't wait to see what magic Garber conjures up for book 3!