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btwnprintedpgs's Reviews (1.3k)
Truth be told, because the thing about the truth is that is always shows its face, I had some high expectations for this novel. Not really because of the author, or because of the cover (it’s so awkward looking…). It was mainly ’cause I saw the synopsis and just got really excited, I was ready for this book to blow me away.
I’ll admit, I enjoyed the characters and the way the book was written. We are given four perspectives: Isaac before and after, and Kelsey before and after. Each chapter switched up between Kelsey and Isaac, as well as the time. It was an interesting way of getting through the story, as if the “before” parts were being told by the characters as they spoke in the “after” parts, as they had to tell the Superintendent about the ‘incident’, which was cool, and made you think a little more about the characters, really getting readers into their heads.
The characters were cool too. Isaac wants to defy his father. He wants to show that he can’t be controlled, not by his father, not by teachers, no one. On the other hand, we have Kelsey, who wants to be in control of everything: her marks, her future, her anger, and her past. However, both have been kicked out of their old prep schools and have been thrust into the world of public, government funded, education. As they aspire to create “Face it Down”, a club created mainly because Kelsey wanted to impress colleges and Isaac wanted to impress Kelsey, they fall for each other. However, one thing stands between them: the truth. And it reared its ugly head in the middle of their “Face it Down” event with Kelsey’s old school, and Kelsey’s old friends.
The one thing that really bothered me about this book was the end, honestly. There was a vague resolution, but there weren’t any punishments doled out, only a “we’ll think about it and we’ll let you know”. That kept me reading, only to find that there wasn’t anything else to read. This on the edge kind of ending didn’t feel finished. In fact, it made the end of the novel seem quite rushed, as if Barnholdt had run out of time before her deadline and never got the chance to really finish the book. Even Kelsey and her father’s relationship was left in the dark. Her father hated her for disappointing him, I guess, but it was so… harsh. I don’t know, I kind of wanted a resolution to that too, which I also didn’t get… hmph.
So yes, although the characters were well written and the truth was quite shocking and mildly funny as it referenced a song I quite like, the end disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked this novel, but the ending left me wanting more, and I just didn’t get it.
Plot: 3/5
(Because IT NEVER ENDED. Not to me at least.)
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 2/5
Overall: 3.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.65/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
I’ll admit, I enjoyed the characters and the way the book was written. We are given four perspectives: Isaac before and after, and Kelsey before and after. Each chapter switched up between Kelsey and Isaac, as well as the time. It was an interesting way of getting through the story, as if the “before” parts were being told by the characters as they spoke in the “after” parts, as they had to tell the Superintendent about the ‘incident’, which was cool, and made you think a little more about the characters, really getting readers into their heads.
The characters were cool too. Isaac wants to defy his father. He wants to show that he can’t be controlled, not by his father, not by teachers, no one. On the other hand, we have Kelsey, who wants to be in control of everything: her marks, her future, her anger, and her past. However, both have been kicked out of their old prep schools and have been thrust into the world of public, government funded, education. As they aspire to create “Face it Down”, a club created mainly because Kelsey wanted to impress colleges and Isaac wanted to impress Kelsey, they fall for each other. However, one thing stands between them: the truth. And it reared its ugly head in the middle of their “Face it Down” event with Kelsey’s old school, and Kelsey’s old friends.
The one thing that really bothered me about this book was the end, honestly. There was a vague resolution, but there weren’t any punishments doled out, only a “we’ll think about it and we’ll let you know”. That kept me reading, only to find that there wasn’t anything else to read. This on the edge kind of ending didn’t feel finished. In fact, it made the end of the novel seem quite rushed, as if Barnholdt had run out of time before her deadline and never got the chance to really finish the book. Even Kelsey and her father’s relationship was left in the dark. Her father hated her for disappointing him, I guess, but it was so… harsh. I don’t know, I kind of wanted a resolution to that too, which I also didn’t get… hmph.
So yes, although the characters were well written and the truth was quite shocking and mildly funny as it referenced a song I quite like, the end disappointed me. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked this novel, but the ending left me wanting more, and I just didn’t get it.
Plot: 3/5
(Because IT NEVER ENDED. Not to me at least.)
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 2/5
Overall: 3.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.65/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
First thing’s first: Thank you to Razorbill for sending me this book (:
On to my review…
Brewer’s world is split into two: the Skilled and the Unskilled. Among the Skilled, there are two types: Barrons and Healers. Barrons are the fighters, the badasses of the story. They’re the ones who fight the Skilled’s enemies, Kind Darrek and his Graplars (ugly blue scaled, dog/wolf like creatures). The Healers on the other hand are meant to… well, heal. With the touch of their hands they can heal their Barron in a matter of seconds. However, this society has been ravaged.
King Darrek is trying to rid the world of healers, to make Barrons even more susceptible to his attacks. In doing so he has killed many Soulbound healers (healers and barrons are soulbound through birth. They are born at the exact same moment and are connected at such time). As such, many Barrons are relying on Bound healers (not as effective as Soulbound).
Enter Kaya. Headstrong, scared out of her wits, but a ready to fight Healer. The only problem? Her Soulbound Barron is dead and Healers are not allowed to fight. Now, she is to to be Bound to Trayton, a rich and popular Barron, as also best friends with Darius, a silver-haired enigma, and also the only Unskilled person at Shadow Academy. As Kaya strives to learn to fight, and ticking off half her teachers, she is also caught between her Bound and the mysterious pull that she feels towards Darius.
Ah, love triangles. How I love them and the frustration they bring. Let me start with what bugged me about this book, there were three things. (I like making lists now, I don’t know why)
1. The Cover. Look at the cover, now what was the first thing you saw when you looked at it? Because I, I DID NOT notice the actual title of the book. Communication tech 101: the title should be the most prominent thing on a book/poster. Just looking at it, I thought the title was “Legacy of Tril”. Like, even Brewer’s name is more dominant on the cover than the actual title of the book… It just bothers me s’all.
2. Trayton. He just bugged me, I don’t think there’s really much reason to it. Maybe it’s just ’cause I don’t like rule abiding citizens. Laws, sure, but rules? Psht.
3. The end. Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome and relatively surprising, but my first thought was: if someone’s Soulbound to another, shouldn’t they feel some kind of tug or connection?! There was little to no clues that led to that ending. Well, there was half a clue… Er…
Honestly? I REALLY liked this book. I liked Kaya’s strong personality and her determination to fight. Also, I like her attitude (reminded me of me, haha). I liked the history that Brewer made for this society and the overall concept of the book. Sure, it wasn’t a perfect book, but my thoughts by the end were just “Wow”.
This book was a mix of Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead) + Eon (Alison Goodman) + Graceling (Kristin Cashore). It kept me hooked from beginning to end. Noted, there were some parts that were a little random, hints that weren’t so subtle, or things that just popped out of nowhere and it’s just like “HOW IN THE O_O?” But overall, I was satisfied with this book, and can’t wait to read the next novel~ Too bad I have to wait (like every other book I’ve read this year (it seems)).
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.14/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
On to my review…
Brewer’s world is split into two: the Skilled and the Unskilled. Among the Skilled, there are two types: Barrons and Healers. Barrons are the fighters, the badasses of the story. They’re the ones who fight the Skilled’s enemies, Kind Darrek and his Graplars (ugly blue scaled, dog/wolf like creatures). The Healers on the other hand are meant to… well, heal. With the touch of their hands they can heal their Barron in a matter of seconds. However, this society has been ravaged.
King Darrek is trying to rid the world of healers, to make Barrons even more susceptible to his attacks. In doing so he has killed many Soulbound healers (healers and barrons are soulbound through birth. They are born at the exact same moment and are connected at such time). As such, many Barrons are relying on Bound healers (not as effective as Soulbound).
Enter Kaya. Headstrong, scared out of her wits, but a ready to fight Healer. The only problem? Her Soulbound Barron is dead and Healers are not allowed to fight. Now, she is to to be Bound to Trayton, a rich and popular Barron, as also best friends with Darius, a silver-haired enigma, and also the only Unskilled person at Shadow Academy. As Kaya strives to learn to fight, and ticking off half her teachers, she is also caught between her Bound and the mysterious pull that she feels towards Darius.
Ah, love triangles. How I love them and the frustration they bring. Let me start with what bugged me about this book, there were three things. (I like making lists now, I don’t know why)
1. The Cover. Look at the cover, now what was the first thing you saw when you looked at it? Because I, I DID NOT notice the actual title of the book. Communication tech 101: the title should be the most prominent thing on a book/poster. Just looking at it, I thought the title was “Legacy of Tril”. Like, even Brewer’s name is more dominant on the cover than the actual title of the book… It just bothers me s’all.
2. Trayton. He just bugged me, I don’t think there’s really much reason to it. Maybe it’s just ’cause I don’t like rule abiding citizens. Laws, sure, but rules? Psht.
3. The end. Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome and relatively surprising, but my first thought was: if someone’s Soulbound to another, shouldn’t they feel some kind of tug or connection?! There was little to no clues that led to that ending. Well, there was half a clue… Er…
Honestly? I REALLY liked this book. I liked Kaya’s strong personality and her determination to fight. Also, I like her attitude (reminded me of me, haha). I liked the history that Brewer made for this society and the overall concept of the book. Sure, it wasn’t a perfect book, but my thoughts by the end were just “Wow”.
This book was a mix of Vampire Academy (Richelle Mead) + Eon (Alison Goodman) + Graceling (Kristin Cashore). It kept me hooked from beginning to end. Noted, there were some parts that were a little random, hints that weren’t so subtle, or things that just popped out of nowhere and it’s just like “HOW IN THE O_O?” But overall, I was satisfied with this book, and can’t wait to read the next novel~ Too bad I have to wait (like every other book I’ve read this year (it seems)).
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.14/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
First off, thank you to Razorbill for sending me a copy (: It is greatly appreciated~!
Oh. My. GOSH. Richelle Mead has rendered me speechless (and if you know me, that’s hard to do). To be honest, I don’t even care what happened during the book, it was the end, THE VERY END, that killed me. Stick a fork in me and I’m done. You don’t even know how much I was reeling when the book finished. My gosh.
Throughout the novel, Sydney is stuck between herself as she gets closer and closer to her Moroi and Dhampir friends, she finds herself questioning her Alchemist ties. This becomes even more prominent when she finds herself tangled in the Alchemist history: something often censored to her. With the disappearance of a Moroi, Sydney must find a way to save them, all while trying to stay true to her Alchemist bonds, to wade through the long and tedious history of the Alchemists, and to get through a date with her new boyfriend Brayden without Adrian interrupting.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat anticipating what’ll happen next. Full of betrayal, first time romances, totally surprising events, and a history so complicated, it’d be easier finding a needle in the Pacific Ocean (okay… maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but you know…), this book will get you hooked from the start, and the end will leave you wanting and begging for more, or will result in you screaming, pulling your hair out, or violent acts towards the physical novel itself. I seriously LOVED every second of this book (maybe it’s ’cause I LOVE Adrian, or just ’cause all of Richelle Mead’s novels seem to just blow me away… regardless, it was awesome!).
If you hate cliffhangers/that hyper feeling where you just want to jump to the next book RIGHT AFTER you’ve finished the previous one, well you might want to wait until next January-March to read the book, I’m just saying.
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.43/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Oh. My. GOSH. Richelle Mead has rendered me speechless (and if you know me, that’s hard to do). To be honest, I don’t even care what happened during the book, it was the end, THE VERY END, that killed me. Stick a fork in me and I’m done. You don’t even know how much I was reeling when the book finished. My gosh.
Throughout the novel, Sydney is stuck between herself as she gets closer and closer to her Moroi and Dhampir friends, she finds herself questioning her Alchemist ties. This becomes even more prominent when she finds herself tangled in the Alchemist history: something often censored to her. With the disappearance of a Moroi, Sydney must find a way to save them, all while trying to stay true to her Alchemist bonds, to wade through the long and tedious history of the Alchemists, and to get through a date with her new boyfriend Brayden without Adrian interrupting.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat anticipating what’ll happen next. Full of betrayal, first time romances, totally surprising events, and a history so complicated, it’d be easier finding a needle in the Pacific Ocean (okay… maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but you know…), this book will get you hooked from the start, and the end will leave you wanting and begging for more, or will result in you screaming, pulling your hair out, or violent acts towards the physical novel itself. I seriously LOVED every second of this book (maybe it’s ’cause I LOVE Adrian, or just ’cause all of Richelle Mead’s novels seem to just blow me away… regardless, it was awesome!).
If you hate cliffhangers/that hyper feeling where you just want to jump to the next book RIGHT AFTER you’ve finished the previous one, well you might want to wait until next January-March to read the book, I’m just saying.
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.43/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
I have no words. This book was utterly captivating and the ending made me want to blow up something. My goodness.
As Vincent and Kate struggle to find a way to squelch his impulse to die for another, they find themselves in a matter much bigger than them. Someone is trying to find the Champion, the one meant to conquer the Numa. Whether it’s for the best or worst is an entirely different issue. If the Champion is killed, the murderer will gain all of their powers. The stakes get higher as Vincent is suspected to be this revenant hero.
I really enjoyed this book. Alike to the first novel, the plot was there, underlined in everything that happened, and slowly unfolding as the book went on. In my opinion, Plum is really good at pulling all the strings together at the end of each novel, ‘course the end of this one was a pretty big cliffhanger… so…
A novel filled with betrayal, new friendships and lost ones, Plum has done an amazing job on her sequel. I can’t WAIT to read the final novel to the trilogy… Who knows what’ll happen next (seriously… I don’t know x.x Can it come out now…? Please?)
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.23/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
As Vincent and Kate struggle to find a way to squelch his impulse to die for another, they find themselves in a matter much bigger than them. Someone is trying to find the Champion, the one meant to conquer the Numa. Whether it’s for the best or worst is an entirely different issue. If the Champion is killed, the murderer will gain all of their powers. The stakes get higher as Vincent is suspected to be this revenant hero.
I really enjoyed this book. Alike to the first novel, the plot was there, underlined in everything that happened, and slowly unfolding as the book went on. In my opinion, Plum is really good at pulling all the strings together at the end of each novel, ‘course the end of this one was a pretty big cliffhanger… so…
A novel filled with betrayal, new friendships and lost ones, Plum has done an amazing job on her sequel. I can’t WAIT to read the final novel to the trilogy… Who knows what’ll happen next (seriously… I don’t know x.x Can it come out now…? Please?)
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.23/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
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Pierce is trapped in the underworld, but not because she’s dead, because John has brought her there. Unable to find a door back to the real world, to her life (though, it’s improbable that she’s actually SAFE in that life), Pierce is to remain in the underworld until John deems the world safe enough for her to walk upon its ground again (though he probably never will…). However, when Pierce receives word (well, more of a video…) that her cousin’s in trouble, she’s ready to jump up to the real world to come to his rescue… but one thing stands in her way: John. As Pierce begins to unlock the secrets to John’s history, and how he even became a death deity, she finds out that nothing is as it seems, and that sometimes lies meant to protect, end up doing the opposite. Thrilling and utterly captivating, this book had me reading until four in the morning totally immersed in Pierce’s world(/tired.).
Meg Cabot has done it again. Way more interesting that the first novel, this book really reflected Persephone’s myth well, as Pierce battles with time and the Fates to save her cousin, find out the truth behind John Hayden, and find out if she’s really bound to the underworld, Pierce’s story will have you totally hooked. Cabot has added twists and turns that add to the story, creating more drama, more action, and unlocking more secrets. There was definitely more stuff happening in this book, showing more than telling, and no flashbacks (thank goodness). Extremely better than the first novel, I loved this book!
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.89/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Meg Cabot has done it again. Way more interesting that the first novel, this book really reflected Persephone’s myth well, as Pierce battles with time and the Fates to save her cousin, find out the truth behind John Hayden, and find out if she’s really bound to the underworld, Pierce’s story will have you totally hooked. Cabot has added twists and turns that add to the story, creating more drama, more action, and unlocking more secrets. There was definitely more stuff happening in this book, showing more than telling, and no flashbacks (thank goodness). Extremely better than the first novel, I loved this book!
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.89/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
This was my first Sophie Kinsella book, and to be honest, I wasn’t disappointed, haha. The story starts with Poppy, who is scurrying around a hotel looking for her engagement ring, which was a family heirloom given to her by her fiance, Magnus. And when she takes a 5 minute break outside to answer her cell phone, it gets stolen. Yeah, she’s about as lucky as a … well she’s just not lucky. Period. Until, she finds a cellphone in a trash bin in the hotel. Totally relieved, she’s starts handing out the number to her friends and the hotel staff, in hopes that one of them may have found her ring. However, that cell phone had a string attached and his name was Sam Roxton. Horribly blunt, and short coming with emotion, Poppy’s first impression of Sam leaves her shaking her head in distaste. However, as the story unfolds, the truth comes to light, new friendships are formed, relationships are broken, and a mystery is solved.
Really well written, and, though some parts of the novel are pretty heavy, Kinsella manages to keep a light tone throughout her novel. I really love the characters she depicted in this novel, especially Poppy’s quirky and over exuberant personality. I also loved the idea of Sam and Poppy getting to know each other through texting each other, eventually actually meeting one another and finding that neither are as bad as the other thought. Really great concept and well written (Through regular story form, text bits, emails, and footnotes). Her variation of types of writing really added to the personalities as characters, and the footnotes helps readers understand Poppy more, and her views on everything that’s happening (more so than the narration itself presents). Really fun and great read, I definitely think I’ll be reading more from her soon~
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.90/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Really well written, and, though some parts of the novel are pretty heavy, Kinsella manages to keep a light tone throughout her novel. I really love the characters she depicted in this novel, especially Poppy’s quirky and over exuberant personality. I also loved the idea of Sam and Poppy getting to know each other through texting each other, eventually actually meeting one another and finding that neither are as bad as the other thought. Really great concept and well written (Through regular story form, text bits, emails, and footnotes). Her variation of types of writing really added to the personalities as characters, and the footnotes helps readers understand Poppy more, and her views on everything that’s happening (more so than the narration itself presents). Really fun and great read, I definitely think I’ll be reading more from her soon~
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.90/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Before I even begin… Don’t read a number of predictions on GoodReads. Just, don’t.
And before you ask if I read them, I did, and this made the book fairly boring in comparison to what it would’ve been if I had followed my own advice. But really, what was the possibility that they’d be right… Ah well.
Spoilers aside, I thought that Amy Plum twirled together the ending really well. Even with said spoilers that were actually just accidental, REALLY ACCURATE, guesses, I was still surprised by a lot of things in this novel. The first was a surprise that awaited readers in New York, along with the departure of a loved character, the return of another, and the death of two or three that I really wish hadn’t happened (well, at least one of them I was alright with).
Can I just say though, that I felt really bad for Jules? Like throughout this entire trilogy, he’s always gotten the short end of the stick, and this book was just like a dagger to my heart when it came to Jules. Even though Vincent and Kate were pretty much together from the start (and I appreciate her unwavering love for the guy), a part of me really liked her with Jules. Heck, I even loved her with Ambrose, but he was always meant for another (which speaking of, all my props to Plum for making that happen in the end).
Throughout this novel, I was continuously surprised, and I loved that the book was not really ruined by my own curiosity. All and all, an excellent conclusion to a great trilogy. I’m going to really miss these characters. However, I can’t wait to see what Amy Plum has next for us ~
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.34/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
And before you ask if I read them, I did, and this made the book fairly boring in comparison to what it would’ve been if I had followed my own advice. But really, what was the possibility that they’d be right… Ah well.
Spoilers aside, I thought that Amy Plum twirled together the ending really well. Even with said spoilers that were actually just accidental, REALLY ACCURATE, guesses, I was still surprised by a lot of things in this novel. The first was a surprise that awaited readers in New York, along with the departure of a loved character, the return of another, and the death of two or three that I really wish hadn’t happened (well, at least one of them I was alright with).
Can I just say though, that I felt really bad for Jules? Like throughout this entire trilogy, he’s always gotten the short end of the stick, and this book was just like a dagger to my heart when it came to Jules. Even though Vincent and Kate were pretty much together from the start (and I appreciate her unwavering love for the guy), a part of me really liked her with Jules. Heck, I even loved her with Ambrose, but he was always meant for another (which speaking of, all my props to Plum for making that happen in the end).
Throughout this novel, I was continuously surprised, and I loved that the book was not really ruined by my own curiosity. All and all, an excellent conclusion to a great trilogy. I’m going to really miss these characters. However, I can’t wait to see what Amy Plum has next for us ~
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.34/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
This book was awesome, not because of the plot, the setting, or even the fact that we get a glimpse of Jordan's relationship, but because of the characters. Kenneally's ability to created realistic characters and I think that's really her strong suit.
Something I did not expect in this book, though at the same time I wasn't TOO surprised either, was the part that religion played in everything. Parker and her family are avid church goers, but after her mother 'disgraced' their family by coming out of the closet, Parker and her father are ridiculed for her mother's choices. Unfortunately, this only fueled my distaste for institutionalized religion. However, I liked the turn around through the book as Parker learns more about other churches and that God is everywhere, not just in the pews of a white ornate building.
Something I didn't like about this book was Parker's relationship with Brian, the assistant baseball coach. At first he was really nice, and tried to push Parker back into the world of softball, which she had promptly left when her mother did. And I did like him then. He and Parker were epic (I say in a very Caroline voice (I've been watching The Vampire Diaries like an addict the past few days, sorry). Later on though, he REALLY bothered me. After he and Parker started making out (they didn't date, they didn't hook up, they just... kissed. A lot.) he was a real douche, and that killed all my thoughts of shipping them.
Then there was Drew, who Parker suspected was gay. But is he? Will he be the one to end up with Parker (as Sam ended up with Jordan)? Or will it be Corndog, the annoying, yet charming and sweet (when required), former valedictorian rival? That's the thing I love about Miranda Kenneally's books, there's always such an array of characters and who the main character starts off with isn't always who she ends up with.
Stealing Parker was a great book that incorporated the church, but also had a number of characters who were homosexual, bringing into the novel a large, real world issue that is being argued about all throughout the USA. With an amazing cast of characters, Kenneally has hit a home run with this novel (YA SEE WHAT I DID THERE ??) ~!
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.84/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Something I did not expect in this book, though at the same time I wasn't TOO surprised either, was the part that religion played in everything. Parker and her family are avid church goers, but after her mother 'disgraced' their family by coming out of the closet, Parker and her father are ridiculed for her mother's choices. Unfortunately, this only fueled my distaste for institutionalized religion. However, I liked the turn around through the book as Parker learns more about other churches and that God is everywhere, not just in the pews of a white ornate building.
Something I didn't like about this book was Parker's relationship with Brian, the assistant baseball coach. At first he was really nice, and tried to push Parker back into the world of softball, which she had promptly left when her mother did. And I did like him then. He and Parker were epic (I say in a very Caroline voice (I've been watching The Vampire Diaries like an addict the past few days, sorry). Later on though, he REALLY bothered me. After he and Parker started making out (they didn't date, they didn't hook up, they just... kissed. A lot.) he was a real douche, and that killed all my thoughts of shipping them.
Then there was Drew, who Parker suspected was gay. But is he? Will he be the one to end up with Parker (as Sam ended up with Jordan)? Or will it be Corndog, the annoying, yet charming and sweet (when required), former valedictorian rival? That's the thing I love about Miranda Kenneally's books, there's always such an array of characters and who the main character starts off with isn't always who she ends up with.
Stealing Parker was a great book that incorporated the church, but also had a number of characters who were homosexual, bringing into the novel a large, real world issue that is being argued about all throughout the USA. With an amazing cast of characters, Kenneally has hit a home run with this novel (YA SEE WHAT I DID THERE ??) ~!
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.84/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
Grave Mercy is a historical tale of Ismae. She is thought to be a daughter of death by her family and village. As such, she has been shunned, bullied, and abused because of it. On the night of her wedding day, she is taken away to become a member of St. Mortain’s convent, where she learns that as a daughter of the old god of death she has been given vast and dangerous gifts.
When she is whisked away to the Brittany courts to stand amidst royalty, Ismae is thrust into a game of thrones, where you win or die. Oh… wait.
Honestly, though, I really thought “Game of Thrones” throughout this novel, as Brittany is under France’s attack in their attempt to rid themselves of the duchy. The duchess, Anne, is being hounded by suitors as they know she is required one to stop France’s approach into their country. However, France has sent their own cavalry to these petitions and will not take no as an answer. As everyone vies for the duchess’s attention, Ismae finds herself trapped in her attempt to differentiate Brittany’s traitors from its allies.
I found this novel really well done. You really got a picture of LaFevers’ world without having to try too hard. The story flows well and the characters’ development were really well done. However, Ismae is an assassin, basically. She’s meant to kill all those who Mortain mark and yet there’s little action in this novel. I expected a lot more bloodshed and death, but there wasn’t too much in the end. I kind of understand it? But I don’t know, I really don’t see the revelation at the end as drastically as I could have.
Otherwise, I loved the characters, the varying personalities, and the betrayal in the end. In all honestly, I couldn’t really figure out who what the backstabber among all of the high class royals. This books captured me from beginning to end and I loved it~
The next novel will be from another character’s perspective: Sybella
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.97/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
When she is whisked away to the Brittany courts to stand amidst royalty, Ismae is thrust into a game of thrones, where you win or die. Oh… wait.
Honestly, though, I really thought “Game of Thrones” throughout this novel, as Brittany is under France’s attack in their attempt to rid themselves of the duchy. The duchess, Anne, is being hounded by suitors as they know she is required one to stop France’s approach into their country. However, France has sent their own cavalry to these petitions and will not take no as an answer. As everyone vies for the duchess’s attention, Ismae finds herself trapped in her attempt to differentiate Brittany’s traitors from its allies.
I found this novel really well done. You really got a picture of LaFevers’ world without having to try too hard. The story flows well and the characters’ development were really well done. However, Ismae is an assassin, basically. She’s meant to kill all those who Mortain mark and yet there’s little action in this novel. I expected a lot more bloodshed and death, but there wasn’t too much in the end. I kind of understand it? But I don’t know, I really don’t see the revelation at the end as drastically as I could have.
Otherwise, I loved the characters, the varying personalities, and the betrayal in the end. In all honestly, I couldn’t really figure out who what the backstabber among all of the high class royals. This books captured me from beginning to end and I loved it~
The next novel will be from another character’s perspective: Sybella
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.97/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
My first reaction, honestly, was:
CYBORGS! /picturesTEENTITANcyborg.
“When there’s trouble you know what to do, CALL CYBORG!
He can shoot a rocket from his shoe, ‘CAUSE HE’S CYBORG!
Do, do, do, do, something like that, OH YEAH!
Na, na, na, na, big fluffy cat, THAT’S RIGHT!”
Yes, yes, call me a loser but this was seriously my first thought when I saw this book and its description. My second thought was Cinderella. Unfortunately, I got more princess than shoe rockets.
Cinder is a cyborg within a world of humans and androids. In this society, being a cyborg was like having the plague (something that was a growing concern throughout the novel). However, because she was a cyborg, it gave her the ability and the knowledge to become the best mechanic in New Beijing. Working the market one day, Prince Kai, dressed like a normal citizen (very, Princess Jasmine -like, male version), goes to her in need of reparations of an old android, claiming it was “a matter of national security”, but Cinder, equipped with a lie detector in her retinal interface, knows there something more to it. However, her work is hindered (basically put to a halt) when her ‘adoptive’ mother (even though it was said mother’s husband who had adopted her) volunteers her as a Plague research subject, basically shoving her into death’s hands. When the tests were run, though, Dr. Erland discovers something, well someone, he’d been waiting for, for a very long time.
This concept is quite imaginative, and the world Meyer created is interesting at most. As much as I loved this story, because it really was well done, I wish Meyer would have added more of the new world into the novel. This is year 126 T.E.. For one, I don’t really know what T.E. stands for… I may have missed it, or it could’ve been left out, I don’t know, but in this time, unknown to any of us, I’d have liked to see more of the world, more of the newfangled gadgets in that time, more of the altered food, the machinery, the people, the fashions, if anything the changed Chinese culture (I mean it’s in China…). When you think of The Hunger Games, you get a vivid picture in your head of Panem, even before the movie. Cinder’s world lacked this realistic feeling.
However, setting aside, you still got a basic idea of the new world, the trouble its under. The thing I loved most about this concept of Meyer’s was the Lunar people. Yup, people living on the moon. That was definitely something different, and unexpected in this warped retelling of the classic Cinderella. Cinder is the heroine of the story: confident, defiant at all twists and turns, spunky, and every now and then spouts witty remarks and offhand comments that really add to her character. The evil stepsisters ended up being the evil stepsister for more reasons than one. Adri, the horrid mother, was definitely horrid, and a well done character. Nothing says witchy more than sending off your adoptive daughter, the one your husband work so hard to bring home, to die. Prince Kai was a cute character. Inexperienced in governmental issues, and conflicted on a thousand levels, Kai has a lot to deal with, but he still got a few humorous lines that made me grin like an idiot for a moment.
So although the world hadn’t been fully created in my opinion, the characters were strong and definitely something to remember. Although there weren’t any cyborg weapon fits, or rockets shooting out from Cinders shoots, or detaching from her fingers, it was definitely a great, totally engrossing read that kept me captivated from beginning to end.
I also think that there definitely will be a cyborg fight eventually, I’m just saying.
In Scarlet, the second novel of the Lunar Chronicles, Meyer will be creating Red Riding Hood’s world, but don’t worry, Cinder and Kai are in there too! As per usual, I am totally excited for the next book~! (Though it won’t be out until February 2013..)
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 3.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.06/5
-review by Between Printed Pages
CYBORGS! /picturesTEENTITANcyborg.
“When there’s trouble you know what to do, CALL CYBORG!
He can shoot a rocket from his shoe, ‘CAUSE HE’S CYBORG!
Do, do, do, do, something like that, OH YEAH!
Na, na, na, na, big fluffy cat, THAT’S RIGHT!”
Yes, yes, call me a loser but this was seriously my first thought when I saw this book and its description. My second thought was Cinderella. Unfortunately, I got more princess than shoe rockets.
Cinder is a cyborg within a world of humans and androids. In this society, being a cyborg was like having the plague (something that was a growing concern throughout the novel). However, because she was a cyborg, it gave her the ability and the knowledge to become the best mechanic in New Beijing. Working the market one day, Prince Kai, dressed like a normal citizen (very, Princess Jasmine -like, male version), goes to her in need of reparations of an old android, claiming it was “a matter of national security”, but Cinder, equipped with a lie detector in her retinal interface, knows there something more to it. However, her work is hindered (basically put to a halt) when her ‘adoptive’ mother (even though it was said mother’s husband who had adopted her) volunteers her as a Plague research subject, basically shoving her into death’s hands. When the tests were run, though, Dr. Erland discovers something, well someone, he’d been waiting for, for a very long time.
This concept is quite imaginative, and the world Meyer created is interesting at most. As much as I loved this story, because it really was well done, I wish Meyer would have added more of the new world into the novel. This is year 126 T.E.. For one, I don’t really know what T.E. stands for… I may have missed it, or it could’ve been left out, I don’t know, but in this time, unknown to any of us, I’d have liked to see more of the world, more of the newfangled gadgets in that time, more of the altered food, the machinery, the people, the fashions, if anything the changed Chinese culture (I mean it’s in China…). When you think of The Hunger Games, you get a vivid picture in your head of Panem, even before the movie. Cinder’s world lacked this realistic feeling.
However, setting aside, you still got a basic idea of the new world, the trouble its under. The thing I loved most about this concept of Meyer’s was the Lunar people. Yup, people living on the moon. That was definitely something different, and unexpected in this warped retelling of the classic Cinderella. Cinder is the heroine of the story: confident, defiant at all twists and turns, spunky, and every now and then spouts witty remarks and offhand comments that really add to her character. The evil stepsisters ended up being the evil stepsister for more reasons than one. Adri, the horrid mother, was definitely horrid, and a well done character. Nothing says witchy more than sending off your adoptive daughter, the one your husband work so hard to bring home, to die. Prince Kai was a cute character. Inexperienced in governmental issues, and conflicted on a thousand levels, Kai has a lot to deal with, but he still got a few humorous lines that made me grin like an idiot for a moment.
So although the world hadn’t been fully created in my opinion, the characters were strong and definitely something to remember. Although there weren’t any cyborg weapon fits, or rockets shooting out from Cinders shoots, or detaching from her fingers, it was definitely a great, totally engrossing read that kept me captivated from beginning to end.
I also think that there definitely will be a cyborg fight eventually, I’m just saying.
In Scarlet, the second novel of the Lunar Chronicles, Meyer will be creating Red Riding Hood’s world, but don’t worry, Cinder and Kai are in there too! As per usual, I am totally excited for the next book~! (Though it won’t be out until February 2013..)
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 3.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.06/5
-review by Between Printed Pages