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Having a library in charge of the world's knowledge sounds like amazing things. With the goal of the library being the preservation of original works (think old school documents and hand-made books) and the distribution of books through blanks (think tablets only in the shape of a book with actual pages), The Library seems to be a force for good. But when the wrong people are in charge, knowledge and innovation can be stifled and withheld. This is The Library as it is today.
Jess Brightwell isn't the most obvious choice to work as a librarian, but it's his life goal. The son of a smuggling family, he's access to information and books that most people are not allowed to see. He has a love of the written word and longs to know more. Most of the story revolves around Jess after he accepted for training in The Library. They are an interesting group, and I really enjoyed how their personalities clashed and meshed in various ways.
The training in intense and often dangerous. And, most of all, eye-opening. Jess realizes The Library isn't the idealist entity that he looked up to his whole life, and he has to come to terms with some very hard truths about himself and his fellow trainees.
One of the really fun aspects of the book are the little snippets into the Black Archives or destroyed works that are deemed too dangerous for the public. Through these little bits and pieces, the reader is able to see into the heart of The Library and its leaders, see into the past and how it took the wrong turn into tyranny.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. Amazing characters, an intriguing world, and a search for a better way to use the vast knowledge of the world.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
Having a library in charge of the world's knowledge sounds like amazing things. With the goal of the library being the preservation of original works (think old school documents and hand-made books) and the distribution of books through blanks (think tablets only in the shape of a book with actual pages), The Library seems to be a force for good. But when the wrong people are in charge, knowledge and innovation can be stifled and withheld. This is The Library as it is today.
Jess Brightwell isn't the most obvious choice to work as a librarian, but it's his life goal. The son of a smuggling family, he's access to information and books that most people are not allowed to see. He has a love of the written word and longs to know more. Most of the story revolves around Jess after he accepted for training in The Library. They are an interesting group, and I really enjoyed how their personalities clashed and meshed in various ways.
The training in intense and often dangerous. And, most of all, eye-opening. Jess realizes The Library isn't the idealist entity that he looked up to his whole life, and he has to come to terms with some very hard truths about himself and his fellow trainees.
One of the really fun aspects of the book are the little snippets into the Black Archives or destroyed works that are deemed too dangerous for the public. Through these little bits and pieces, the reader is able to see into the heart of The Library and its leaders, see into the past and how it took the wrong turn into tyranny.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. Amazing characters, an intriguing world, and a search for a better way to use the vast knowledge of the world.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
This was such a cute book! But if your younger one is scared easily, I'd steer clear. There's a good dose of scary on the pages with bullies, monsters, curses, and life screaming down on Limpy. There's a lot going on in the book, and the author does a great job of weaving the different elements together into one complete story with all the loose threads wrapped up so nicely.
First, we have Limpy's quest to get out of the small little hole of a town she lives in. She hates the town, she hates her family's potato farm, and she doesn't seem to like very many people either. She goes about trying to get a scholarship to an art school. Her concept of a project is really cool, and I read all sorts of alternate under the surface meaning into it.
Meanwhile, back at the potato farm, she finds some strange eggs that begin to hatch into some pretty cool looking creatures. They are super cute but remind me of the gremlins. They're just the cute little furry thing you think they are. These are the monsters that keep you up at night and they are a little scary. The more you learn about them, the worse they get.
There's a few really great life lessons woven into the story. Some more obvious than others. But nice and very age appropriate as well. This book was definitely a win in my opinion. Not Little Man just needs to get a few years older so we can read it together.
First, we have Limpy's quest to get out of the small little hole of a town she lives in. She hates the town, she hates her family's potato farm, and she doesn't seem to like very many people either. She goes about trying to get a scholarship to an art school. Her concept of a project is really cool, and I read all sorts of alternate under the surface meaning into it.
Meanwhile, back at the potato farm, she finds some strange eggs that begin to hatch into some pretty cool looking creatures. They are super cute but remind me of the gremlins. They're just the cute little furry thing you think they are. These are the monsters that keep you up at night and they are a little scary. The more you learn about them, the worse they get.
There's a few really great life lessons woven into the story. Some more obvious than others. But nice and very age appropriate as well. This book was definitely a win in my opinion. Not Little Man just needs to get a few years older so we can read it together.
I was a little on the fence with this one. It got off to a bit of a slow start for me and had a different voice than what I've come to expect from LK Shaw. It read much more like a detective novel at the beginning than a romance, and I just wasn't really expecting that. But even though the voice seemed a little different, the story was still a super hot romance.
The romance was a lot of fun. My biggest problem was the meeting scene, I just couldn't picture it falling out that way. It happened super fast, but grief and shock can make people do unexpected things. Katie was great. I loved how head-strong she was, but she always seemed to stop plowing her way through things before she went too far. Her logical side didn't get buried and I loved it. Daniel seemed to be your typical cop hero. I wish I had seem something a little more different from him. There wasn't anything wrong, just not very unique.
The mystery/suspense was my favorite part! While Danile and Katie follow clues and pull in the crew we've come to love from the Secrets series. Following clues and kicking bad guy butt all along the way. A good addition to the series, and a nice way to give Daniel a piece of the spotlight.
The romance was a lot of fun. My biggest problem was the meeting scene, I just couldn't picture it falling out that way. It happened super fast, but grief and shock can make people do unexpected things. Katie was great. I loved how head-strong she was, but she always seemed to stop plowing her way through things before she went too far. Her logical side didn't get buried and I loved it. Daniel seemed to be your typical cop hero. I wish I had seem something a little more different from him. There wasn't anything wrong, just not very unique.
The mystery/suspense was my favorite part! While Danile and Katie follow clues and pull in the crew we've come to love from the Secrets series. Following clues and kicking bad guy butt all along the way. A good addition to the series, and a nice way to give Daniel a piece of the spotlight.
Influenza used to be one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. When Lyza's mother succumbs to the disease, it is up to Lyza, a teenage girl, to take care of her father and prevent the rest of the family from putting him in the work farm for people who are not quite there mentally. Lyza struggles to find a way to save her father, remember her deceased mother's wishes, and figure out who she really is.
The character of Lyza was fascinating. She reminded me of myself so much as a teenager. Knowing where you wanted to go and who you wanted to be, but not having a clear picture of how to get there. I loved the way she related to her mother and father, and was willing to sacrifice anything to save her father from being committed to the work farm.
The story concentrates very much on Lyza and her father, rarely leaving the small world of their family, and then only when necessary. This was the perfect way to write this very intimate story of the love between a daughter and her father, and their search to find their way in a world that has suddenly changed.
4/5
The character of Lyza was fascinating. She reminded me of myself so much as a teenager. Knowing where you wanted to go and who you wanted to be, but not having a clear picture of how to get there. I loved the way she related to her mother and father, and was willing to sacrifice anything to save her father from being committed to the work farm.
The story concentrates very much on Lyza and her father, rarely leaving the small world of their family, and then only when necessary. This was the perfect way to write this very intimate story of the love between a daughter and her father, and their search to find their way in a world that has suddenly changed.
4/5
The Kept Woman is the eighth book in what (it appears to be) a very well-written crime/thriller/detective series. I may have to go back and see where it all began (not sure yet), but I'll definitely be watching for what's coming next. As we farther along in the series, there is some catching up to do with relationships and histories of the characters. The author does a pretty good job of keeping you just in the loop without going overboard for people who may have already read the first seven books.
Will Trent has his cliche moments, but he manages to keep himself out of the category with some great personality which is showcased in his interactions with the other members of his team and the people in his life. This personality and history comes to be very important as he begins to investigate the latest murder.
The pieces of this murder weave together in an amazingly intricate way, but manage to not get convoluted or overly complex to the reader (even one who is starting the series in the middle). I loved how all the pieces drifted from place to place until suddenly there was something that resembled a picture in front of you. But it didn't end there. The picture still needed to be developed and Will Trent didn't just jump to a solution.
The best part of this was how each piece of the puzzle was finally discovered by several people. Without the team working together it would have never happened. Trent may be our leading character, but his team of supporting characters are excellent. A great read for someone looking for more than just another episode of CSI or Law and Order. This takes the whole crime thriller to another level and I loved it!
Will Trent has his cliche moments, but he manages to keep himself out of the category with some great personality which is showcased in his interactions with the other members of his team and the people in his life. This personality and history comes to be very important as he begins to investigate the latest murder.
The pieces of this murder weave together in an amazingly intricate way, but manage to not get convoluted or overly complex to the reader (even one who is starting the series in the middle). I loved how all the pieces drifted from place to place until suddenly there was something that resembled a picture in front of you. But it didn't end there. The picture still needed to be developed and Will Trent didn't just jump to a solution.
The best part of this was how each piece of the puzzle was finally discovered by several people. Without the team working together it would have never happened. Trent may be our leading character, but his team of supporting characters are excellent. A great read for someone looking for more than just another episode of CSI or Law and Order. This takes the whole crime thriller to another level and I loved it!
I really enjoyed Amid Stars and Darkness. When Delaney is accidentally kidnapped and taken to an alien home planet, she's understandably confused, frightened, and wondering how she's going to get back home. When she finds out she has to pretend to be the alien princess, well, she doesn't take that too well. But that's not all (of course) the princess is supposed to get married soon to seal an alliance for peace, and Delaney needs to convince the world, the court, and "her" fiance that she's really Princess Olena or the whole alliance could fall apart. No pressure or anything.
The set up was great, most of the characters were great. I wanted to see more of the alien court, the kind and queen, the guards, the nobles (if they had them). I understood keeping Delaney isolated to make her impersonation easier, but it left the alien world feeling a little flat. I also couldn't keep the various factions and alien terms straight - and they played an important part at times. There were not many, but the important ones were introduced all at once so they kept getting switched around in my head.
Ruckus, the princess's bodyguard, and leading male character was amazing. A bit of the strong silent type, he played off Delaney's talkative and bold characteristics very well. Their romance was a bit underplayed though. I wanted to see more bonding in some way.
A great story, it's perfect for people who like a little bit of light sci-fi in their stories, but there's just enough for more hardcore sci-fi fans to get into as well.
The set up was great, most of the characters were great. I wanted to see more of the alien court, the kind and queen, the guards, the nobles (if they had them). I understood keeping Delaney isolated to make her impersonation easier, but it left the alien world feeling a little flat. I also couldn't keep the various factions and alien terms straight - and they played an important part at times. There were not many, but the important ones were introduced all at once so they kept getting switched around in my head.
Ruckus, the princess's bodyguard, and leading male character was amazing. A bit of the strong silent type, he played off Delaney's talkative and bold characteristics very well. Their romance was a bit underplayed though. I wanted to see more bonding in some way.
A great story, it's perfect for people who like a little bit of light sci-fi in their stories, but there's just enough for more hardcore sci-fi fans to get into as well.
This book will really make you think about life, that wierd girl at school, and how nobody's live is perfect. Marli is quite a character. An outcast in her cult-like church's community for not being docile enough, and an outcast in mainstream society for being part of a cult-like church community. She doesn't fit in anywhere. But she has an inner strength that carries her above what is going on around her. She manages to hold her head high and roll with the punches until things really start to spin out of control at home.
The trigger for this is Nate Porter. Nate is a troubled young man that has been in and out of trouble. But he sees something in Marli that he can't seem to resist. We have a very slight case of insta-attraction, but it isn't acted on which makes it much easier for me to go with. It's one thing to be attracted at first sight - quite another to fall in love. Both teenagers are intrugued by each other and become unexpectedly close friends.
As Marli and Nate become closer, Marli's family and church are going round the bend into serious crazy town. We're talking life and death crazy town and I just couldn't put this down until I found out how everything ended. And it does end in quite a big blow-out fashion. Your heart will be racing and you'll start to wonder if any good will come of it at all.
This is a book young adult fans must read! It has it all - amazing characters, great plot, and a conflict that just blew me away.
The trigger for this is Nate Porter. Nate is a troubled young man that has been in and out of trouble. But he sees something in Marli that he can't seem to resist. We have a very slight case of insta-attraction, but it isn't acted on which makes it much easier for me to go with. It's one thing to be attracted at first sight - quite another to fall in love. Both teenagers are intrugued by each other and become unexpectedly close friends.
As Marli and Nate become closer, Marli's family and church are going round the bend into serious crazy town. We're talking life and death crazy town and I just couldn't put this down until I found out how everything ended. And it does end in quite a big blow-out fashion. Your heart will be racing and you'll start to wonder if any good will come of it at all.
This is a book young adult fans must read! It has it all - amazing characters, great plot, and a conflict that just blew me away.
I am a lover of gothic romances - but this one just didn't do much for me. I really wanted it to. The story line was a great idea and the characters showed a lot of promise at the beginning. The very first scene between the two of them just put me off though. It bothered me for the rest of the book how they avoided speaking much of some total craziness that they experienced together - it wasn't very natural.
The ghost story was really the highlight of the whole thing. A jilted witch, a curse, and lots of death over the years makes for it very hard for goodness to return to the castle. They detective skills could use a little work, but watching the two of them muddle through it was fun most of the time.
I just really really wish I had related to the characters more. They both seemed a bit fake to me, and I had a hard time rooting for them.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/09/review-shadows-of-stormclyffe-dark.html#sthash.Hm2Mrerm.dpuf
The ghost story was really the highlight of the whole thing. A jilted witch, a curse, and lots of death over the years makes for it very hard for goodness to return to the castle. They detective skills could use a little work, but watching the two of them muddle through it was fun most of the time.
I just really really wish I had related to the characters more. They both seemed a bit fake to me, and I had a hard time rooting for them.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/09/review-shadows-of-stormclyffe-dark.html#sthash.Hm2Mrerm.dpuf
This was such a great Christmas story. It was full-on holiday theme, but without getting overly sweet (unless you count the goodies Kara makes in her bakery - they sound delish)! Our leading characters had more in common they they first think - especially after a very bumpy first impression. Both are driven, business-oriented, and out to prove themselves to the world. But they have different ways of doing that. It was fun to see how two people were so similar and yet so very different in how they went about getting things done.
Christmas was everywhere, from the decorations at the B&B, the bakery's goodies, and the all important (seriously - very important) holiday house competition. This competition sounds like fun, but with a prize on the line, it gets very serious very quickly - but thankfully our couple doesn't let it get in the way - too much. All these little holiday touches set such a perfect stage for the romance.
Christmas Comes to Main Street will definitely put you in the holiday mood with lovely characters, a great setting, and the perfect romance. I think I'll have to check out more from Briar Creek, because this was definitely a winner.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
Christmas was everywhere, from the decorations at the B&B, the bakery's goodies, and the all important (seriously - very important) holiday house competition. This competition sounds like fun, but with a prize on the line, it gets very serious very quickly - but thankfully our couple doesn't let it get in the way - too much. All these little holiday touches set such a perfect stage for the romance.
Christmas Comes to Main Street will definitely put you in the holiday mood with lovely characters, a great setting, and the perfect romance. I think I'll have to check out more from Briar Creek, because this was definitely a winner.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
This was a fun sexy short novella. The characters have a romance going on that carries over from other parts of the series, and it's Ethan's birthday. I think every man out there would want to have his surprise present! And Shelly definitely enjoys giving it to him, I really loved the little notes and clues.
You can really see some of the tension in their lives come out a few times, and it was kind of fun to see the play back and forth between them. Definitely a nice quick read at bedtime.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
You can really see some of the tension in their lives come out a few times, and it was kind of fun to see the play back and forth between them. Definitely a nice quick read at bedtime.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*