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** Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. **
I’m very torn on this book. I think I would honestly rate it at a 3.5. It is a quick and enjoyable read and worth the time invested. The idea is fascinating — I was really wanting to read it as soon as I heard about the plot line. However, there were a few things that just left me a little underwhelmed.
The introduction was a bit confusing, but after a couple of chapters the book really picked up speed. There were a few things in the early pages that could be completely removed without any harm to the plot and a bit tighter construction here could make it a lot strong.
Once I got rolling, it was smooth sailing. I enjoyed the bulk of the narrative quite a bit and had a hard time putting the book down. The writing was good and the plot was intriguing. The characters had depth and very clear personalities. I very much enjoyed the central motive of the plot and felt that the author did a great job developing both the characters and her plot. The use of multiple protagonists and alternating chapters from different points of view is always challenging, but it is executed fantastically.
I wanted to love this book. However, I was let down by the ending. I’m not sure if it was meant to be somewhat open ended to allow for a follow up book or if it was one of those situations where the author expects the reader to form their own conclusions. Either way, I was left wanting.
I’m very torn on this book. I think I would honestly rate it at a 3.5. It is a quick and enjoyable read and worth the time invested. The idea is fascinating — I was really wanting to read it as soon as I heard about the plot line. However, there were a few things that just left me a little underwhelmed.
The introduction was a bit confusing, but after a couple of chapters the book really picked up speed. There were a few things in the early pages that could be completely removed without any harm to the plot and a bit tighter construction here could make it a lot strong.
Once I got rolling, it was smooth sailing. I enjoyed the bulk of the narrative quite a bit and had a hard time putting the book down. The writing was good and the plot was intriguing. The characters had depth and very clear personalities. I very much enjoyed the central motive of the plot and felt that the author did a great job developing both the characters and her plot. The use of multiple protagonists and alternating chapters from different points of view is always challenging, but it is executed fantastically.
I wanted to love this book. However, I was let down by the ending. I’m not sure if it was meant to be somewhat open ended to allow for a follow up book or if it was one of those situations where the author expects the reader to form their own conclusions. Either way, I was left wanting.
I really enjoyed this one. It tugged at the heart a little bit and was a bit more emotionally involved than I expected, but that made it even more endearing. Annie is a confusing, but wonderful character and I felt as if I was just getting to know her when she disappeared. The feeling of wanting to know her more combined with my interest in the personalities and interpersonal relationships of the other characters propelled me through the narrative in a hurry. I couldn't put this one down and stayed up quite late to finish it. I had to have answers.
The presentation of the narrative through the eyes of several protagonists works wonderfully. It created tension in multiple places and added depth to the plot. Being able to see the major characters in individual chunks made the book more interesting while still weaving the story together well. The use of intermittent foreshadowing and the sprinkling in of random bits of important information through individual monologues was fantastic. It almost felt as if there was a first person description while the reader was still able to gain information from an omniscient narrator.
Only Ever Her surprised me. I wasn't expecting such a good read. This one is well worth the time and is likely a great one to shelve as a reread. Knowing all the bits and pieces from the first read could lead to an interesting change of view during a second glance.
The presentation of the narrative through the eyes of several protagonists works wonderfully. It created tension in multiple places and added depth to the plot. Being able to see the major characters in individual chunks made the book more interesting while still weaving the story together well. The use of intermittent foreshadowing and the sprinkling in of random bits of important information through individual monologues was fantastic. It almost felt as if there was a first person description while the reader was still able to gain information from an omniscient narrator.
Only Ever Her surprised me. I wasn't expecting such a good read. This one is well worth the time and is likely a great one to shelve as a reread. Knowing all the bits and pieces from the first read could lead to an interesting change of view during a second glance.
I loved this book so much! It's beautiful, frightening, heartbreaking, and fantastic. The narrative bounces back and forth from present day and 1930s-1940s Russia in a way that feels seamless and natural. I hadn't really refreshed my memory on the premise before I started reading and I'm glad I hadn't. The beauty of this novel came through so much better without me having any expectations whatsoever. This one is one that will definitely be a candidate for a reread. I didn't expect to love this book, but (despite the painful nature of its plot) I absolutely did. And like her daughters, I found myself shifting in my perception of Anya as the story continued. I very much didn't like her in the beginning, but I came to love her in the end.
I was very much looking forward to reading this one. I found the premise intriguing and had high hopes for Oscar Wilde's writing. What I discovered is that the plot was indeed intriguing, but that Oscar Wilde has a tendency to ramble. It feels a little as if he is attempting to show off his intelligence throughout the book rather than focusing on the narrative. Buuuut...that could also be simply a tactic to stay true to the conceited tendencies of the protagonist. I was a bit shocked by a few of the plot twists and certainly found Dorian Gray to be a less than appealing character. He's a slimeball, to put it simply. Overall, a decent read...just a bit more flowery in the language department than I had in mind.
*** I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ***
3 1/2 stars. A solid middle grade read perfect for those looking for a light-hearted treasure hunt with a bit of suspense. Good characters with a plot that moves well. Needs a little tightening in the prose, but overall a good read. Feels like a mix of Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and a little Goonies.
For full review: The Secret of Dinswood on EPJ
3 1/2 stars. A solid middle grade read perfect for those looking for a light-hearted treasure hunt with a bit of suspense. Good characters with a plot that moves well. Needs a little tightening in the prose, but overall a good read. Feels like a mix of Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and a little Goonies.
For full review: The Secret of Dinswood on EPJ
**Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. All ratings and opinions are my own. **
This was a surprising read that took me places I very much didn't expect. It explores a historical and generational story with mythological references and magical realism. There is a lot rolled up into this one. It has a solid plot and good characters...I fell in love with Magdalena very early on. This book was well done, but simply left me wanting more. I could well do with a sequel.
For the full review: Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel on EPJ
This was a surprising read that took me places I very much didn't expect. It explores a historical and generational story with mythological references and magical realism. There is a lot rolled up into this one. It has a solid plot and good characters...I fell in love with Magdalena very early on. This book was well done, but simply left me wanting more. I could well do with a sequel.
For the full review: Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel on EPJ
An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny
Alex Tresniowski, Valerie Salembier, Laura Schroff
3 1/2 stars.
This one was a book club read for me. I wouldn't have picked this up on my own.It's a good, heartwarming story with an exposure of the deplorable conditions that can and do exist for children living surrounded by poverty and drug culture.
The relationship between Laura and Maurice is encouraging, but also a bit uncomfortable. The inclusion of Laura's own family history detracts from the story a bit, but is clearly included because Laura felt it could show how she could identify and connect with some of Maurice's situations.
I have a lot of conflicting feelings about this one, but I am glad that I read it. I would very much like to hear the story from Maurice's perspective and in his own voice.
For the full review: An Invisible Thread on EPJ
This one was a book club read for me. I wouldn't have picked this up on my own.It's a good, heartwarming story with an exposure of the deplorable conditions that can and do exist for children living surrounded by poverty and drug culture.
The relationship between Laura and Maurice is encouraging, but also a bit uncomfortable. The inclusion of Laura's own family history detracts from the story a bit, but is clearly included because Laura felt it could show how she could identify and connect with some of Maurice's situations.
I have a lot of conflicting feelings about this one, but I am glad that I read it. I would very much like to hear the story from Maurice's perspective and in his own voice.
For the full review: An Invisible Thread on EPJ
As long as I ignore the ridiculousness of some of the "romantic" interactions, these books keep me pretty entertained. That pretty much sums it up. I like the series. I'll be getting to the last one this year.