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* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This one held my attention, but didn't leave me riveted. The character of Lark is extremely well-developed and the structure of the book is comfortable. It moves steadily with some minor bumps and moments of discomfort, but overall just feels like a mellow flow.
It didn't really feel like there were any strong developments and even those things that the author likely intended to be huge and impressive moments in the story just felt like they were meant to happen. This isn't meant to be a detraction from the book in any way, it just didn't feel shocking...it felt like the author know her characters well enough to give them lives that made sense to who they were. That is a good thing.
The story encompasses a large portion of Lark's life in almost a diary style read. Robin is a good supporting character, but doesn't really have the level of development I expected for the overall premise of the book. There is certainly a good window into Robin's life, but it is a more distant revelation and doesn't give as much internal insight. This feels much more clearly to be Lark's story.
The ending is always where I get most critical of books. In this case, it was okay. It didn't fade of into nothingness and it didn't leave me on some random cliffhanger, but there wasn't a drawn out wrap up either. It was a comfortable ending where everyone was moving forward with their lives in a way that just seemed like a natural progression of the story.
A very solid 3-star read.
This one held my attention, but didn't leave me riveted. The character of Lark is extremely well-developed and the structure of the book is comfortable. It moves steadily with some minor bumps and moments of discomfort, but overall just feels like a mellow flow.
It didn't really feel like there were any strong developments and even those things that the author likely intended to be huge and impressive moments in the story just felt like they were meant to happen. This isn't meant to be a detraction from the book in any way, it just didn't feel shocking...it felt like the author know her characters well enough to give them lives that made sense to who they were. That is a good thing.
The story encompasses a large portion of Lark's life in almost a diary style read. Robin is a good supporting character, but doesn't really have the level of development I expected for the overall premise of the book. There is certainly a good window into Robin's life, but it is a more distant revelation and doesn't give as much internal insight. This feels much more clearly to be Lark's story.
The ending is always where I get most critical of books. In this case, it was okay. It didn't fade of into nothingness and it didn't leave me on some random cliffhanger, but there wasn't a drawn out wrap up either. It was a comfortable ending where everyone was moving forward with their lives in a way that just seemed like a natural progression of the story.
A very solid 3-star read.
This one is a keeper! I love magical realism and this book manages to weave a fantastical piece of whimsy around a beautiful and multi-faceted story. It's magnificent. I fell in love with the characters and couldn't get enough. The narrative extracted feelings that ran the gambit and it was fantastic. The Keeper of Lost Things is a wonderful example of a huggable book. I'll be adding this one to my collection.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Though it is full of very difficult subject matter, After the End is an excellent book and I very much enjoyed reading it.
The utilization of a dual narrative and alternate history approach was incredibly well-conceived and lends itself to a very successful story. The writing felt natural, regardless of the point of view presented at the time. The primary characters of the parents were both very well done. However, the point of view of Leila (the doctor) seemed unnecessary to the story. She was still a well constructed character, but the inclusion of her individual chapters does not necessarily lend as much to the book, she does not feel as fully developed in the plot and instead detracts slightly.
Knowing that this narrative came from an actual life experience on the part of the author makes it even more powerful. The story is heartbreaking from either side and it created a lot of internal conversation with my own point of view on the matter.
See the full review on EPJ
Though it is full of very difficult subject matter, After the End is an excellent book and I very much enjoyed reading it.
The utilization of a dual narrative and alternate history approach was incredibly well-conceived and lends itself to a very successful story. The writing felt natural, regardless of the point of view presented at the time. The primary characters of the parents were both very well done. However, the point of view of Leila (the doctor) seemed unnecessary to the story. She was still a well constructed character, but the inclusion of her individual chapters does not necessarily lend as much to the book, she does not feel as fully developed in the plot and instead detracts slightly.
Knowing that this narrative came from an actual life experience on the part of the author makes it even more powerful. The story is heartbreaking from either side and it created a lot of internal conversation with my own point of view on the matter.
See the full review on EPJ
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
The Bookshop on the Shore is a fantastic follow-up to Jenny Colgan's The Bookshop on the Corner (The Little Shop of Happy Ever After in the UK). Though not a true sequel, this book does send the reader back to the loveliness of the Scottish Highlands.
Colgan's characters continue to be well crafted and entertaining. Zoe is a little less headstrong than I hoped her to be, but her uncertainty did help propel the narrative in the correct direction. This read felt a little less authentic than The Bookshop on the Corner in the beginning, but settled into it's own happy rhythm after a little while.
I am always in love with her description of the Scottish scenery and it just makes me want to pack up and move there, cold and wet and wind be damned...a Scottish sheep farm just sounds lovely. The descriptions of the Beeches were just as marvelously romantic.
I will admit that the ending is somewhat predictable, but I didn't really mind. Sometimes it's nice to have a book just lull you with comfort. This is a great cozy read and would be perfect for a coldish and rainy day. I continue to enjoy Jenny Colgan's relaxed and easy style of writing.
Full Review on EPJ
The Bookshop on the Shore is a fantastic follow-up to Jenny Colgan's The Bookshop on the Corner (The Little Shop of Happy Ever After in the UK). Though not a true sequel, this book does send the reader back to the loveliness of the Scottish Highlands.
Colgan's characters continue to be well crafted and entertaining. Zoe is a little less headstrong than I hoped her to be, but her uncertainty did help propel the narrative in the correct direction. This read felt a little less authentic than The Bookshop on the Corner in the beginning, but settled into it's own happy rhythm after a little while.
I am always in love with her description of the Scottish scenery and it just makes me want to pack up and move there, cold and wet and wind be damned...a Scottish sheep farm just sounds lovely. The descriptions of the Beeches were just as marvelously romantic.
I will admit that the ending is somewhat predictable, but I didn't really mind. Sometimes it's nice to have a book just lull you with comfort. This is a great cozy read and would be perfect for a coldish and rainy day. I continue to enjoy Jenny Colgan's relaxed and easy style of writing.
Full Review on EPJ
This is a fantastic and inclusive YA read without pretense. It is honest and unapologetic. Light enough to be a casual YA read while still having an impact. I very much enjoyed it and will be taking on the sequel.
3.5 stars.
Like most, I was familiar with the Lindbergh's prior to reading this novel, but I did not know very much beyond the fact that he flew solo to Paris and they had lost a child to kidnapping. It was nice to get a bit more of a complete picture, though I will admit a bit of guilt to my interest after reading how much their lives were affected by overzealous fans and the exposure of their lives through the media. Even this novel, ultimately, started to feel like a bit of an intrusion into their privacy...though they have both been deceased for several years.
I liked the writing style of this book for the most part. I felt that it was very intimately told and that I had a good sense of who Anne really was. However, there was a heavy-handed repetition of Charles's character that felt terribly one-sided. Looking into the facts of historical events, it seems that there were some ways in which the author presented a propagandized version of Lindbergh rather than the truth. I suppose a little extra controversy was needed to help make the plot more sensational. There were also a few instances where descriptions felt overly explicit in a way that didn't fit with the remainder of the narrative.
Reading Anne's story was a good exposure to the other side of the coin, so to speak. She was a remarkably extraordinary woman whose accomplishments should have been lauded like her husbands, yet she has somehow slipped from the history books unnoticed. This was a sad realization. So...even though I felt a bit unsettled at knowing I was prying into their lives, it felt somewhat good to know that she was getting some of the acknowledgments she deserves.
Overall, a good read...but one that is truly historical fiction rather than a fully accurate account.
Like most, I was familiar with the Lindbergh's prior to reading this novel, but I did not know very much beyond the fact that he flew solo to Paris and they had lost a child to kidnapping. It was nice to get a bit more of a complete picture, though I will admit a bit of guilt to my interest after reading how much their lives were affected by overzealous fans and the exposure of their lives through the media. Even this novel, ultimately, started to feel like a bit of an intrusion into their privacy...though they have both been deceased for several years.
I liked the writing style of this book for the most part. I felt that it was very intimately told and that I had a good sense of who Anne really was. However, there was a heavy-handed repetition of Charles's character that felt terribly one-sided. Looking into the facts of historical events, it seems that there were some ways in which the author presented a propagandized version of Lindbergh rather than the truth. I suppose a little extra controversy was needed to help make the plot more sensational. There were also a few instances where descriptions felt overly explicit in a way that didn't fit with the remainder of the narrative.
Reading Anne's story was a good exposure to the other side of the coin, so to speak. She was a remarkably extraordinary woman whose accomplishments should have been lauded like her husbands, yet she has somehow slipped from the history books unnoticed. This was a sad realization. So...even though I felt a bit unsettled at knowing I was prying into their lives, it felt somewhat good to know that she was getting some of the acknowledgments she deserves.
Overall, a good read...but one that is truly historical fiction rather than a fully accurate account.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Gah. I was SO disappointed by this book. Unfortunately, it started off on the wrong foot with me. The first chapter felt choppy and I HATED the way that Rachel kept referring to Zahid as "my professor" instead of just using his name. As the story went on, the writing got better, but the characters just irritated me. ALL of the characters. I just felt like they were all a bit too much and I didn't connect with any of them. There was intellect and imagination behind the writing, but the political bluntness made me turn off a bit. The narrative itself felt weird and unnatural. And the oddball ending didn't help. Dermansky's writing isn't bad, but I couldn't get into this book. This one just flat out wasn't for me.
Gah. I was SO disappointed by this book. Unfortunately, it started off on the wrong foot with me. The first chapter felt choppy and I HATED the way that Rachel kept referring to Zahid as "my professor" instead of just using his name. As the story went on, the writing got better, but the characters just irritated me. ALL of the characters. I just felt like they were all a bit too much and I didn't connect with any of them. There was intellect and imagination behind the writing, but the political bluntness made me turn off a bit. The narrative itself felt weird and unnatural. And the oddball ending didn't help. Dermansky's writing isn't bad, but I couldn't get into this book. This one just flat out wasn't for me.
This book was WAY more than I expected! YA sci-fi that gave me a bit of a Hunger Games feel. It's intriguing and well thought out. It has great character building and a fantastic dystopian feel. It was a quick read for me since I didn't want to put it down. There was a little bit of predictability for me in this one, but I didn't mind...it just worked for me. I will be absolutely picking up the sequel soon.
** Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
Cute and fast YA read that deals with a few difficult situations while still remaining relatable. Works off the premise of parallel/alternate universes in a very creative way. May be a little difficult to read for those who have trouble with vacillating storylines, but I enjoyed it.
- See the full review on EPJ
Cute and fast YA read that deals with a few difficult situations while still remaining relatable. Works off the premise of parallel/alternate universes in a very creative way. May be a little difficult to read for those who have trouble with vacillating storylines, but I enjoyed it.
- See the full review on EPJ
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
4.5 stars.
This was a fun and somewhat oddball YA contemporary with a magical realism feel.
The setting is strange and mysterious and vaguely reminiscent of the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. For those who have read that series, I feel that there can be a bit more understanding of the magical realism component.
Billy & Lydia are quintessential teens with some heartbreaking backgrounds. Billy has never really felt loved by anyone, yet he is the unfailing optimist who cares for everyone else while allowing himself to be severely taken for granted. Lydia is a talented girl who doesn't quite feel at home in her own skin, though she makes all outward attempts to appear as though she does. She sports a rough exterior and struggles to accept love from those who truly care about her.
Reed seems to be quite good at creating characters with distinct flaws. They were well-written, dynamic characters who felt believable. The supporting characters were also well thought out, though admittedly not always very likable.
The narrative is moving and somewhat intense, with several concurrent storylines running throughout. I very much enjoyed how it was all wrapped together with a solid, though somewhat quirky ending.
For those who enjoy something different, are fans of YA, and love a bit of magical realism, this is a fantastic read. I look forward to reading more from Amy Reed in the future.
See the full review at EPJ.
4.5 stars.
This was a fun and somewhat oddball YA contemporary with a magical realism feel.
The setting is strange and mysterious and vaguely reminiscent of the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. For those who have read that series, I feel that there can be a bit more understanding of the magical realism component.
Billy & Lydia are quintessential teens with some heartbreaking backgrounds. Billy has never really felt loved by anyone, yet he is the unfailing optimist who cares for everyone else while allowing himself to be severely taken for granted. Lydia is a talented girl who doesn't quite feel at home in her own skin, though she makes all outward attempts to appear as though she does. She sports a rough exterior and struggles to accept love from those who truly care about her.
Reed seems to be quite good at creating characters with distinct flaws. They were well-written, dynamic characters who felt believable. The supporting characters were also well thought out, though admittedly not always very likable.
The narrative is moving and somewhat intense, with several concurrent storylines running throughout. I very much enjoyed how it was all wrapped together with a solid, though somewhat quirky ending.
For those who enjoy something different, are fans of YA, and love a bit of magical realism, this is a fantastic read. I look forward to reading more from Amy Reed in the future.
See the full review at EPJ.