Simple story, without too much detail or research. The dialogue (and their thoughts about each other) between the two main characters made me cringe. I hate that Christian fiction is often subpar, not of good quality. I enjoy reading books without graphic sex scenes and f bombs, not books that seem like a high schooler wrote them.

When I saw Dee Henderson recommended Irene Hannon, I had high expectations. But this book is far below average.

This book was a little confusing, because Miss Marple wasn't actually the main character. After reading And Then There Were None, the book seemed fun, albeit average, and presented Miss Marple as the doddering, meddlesome old lady who was actually smarter than she appeared. I hope that's how people see me when I'm an older lady! A nice set-up for (hopefully) more gripping mysteries.

"Intuition is like reading a word without having to spell it out. A child can't do that, because it has had so little experience. But a grown-up person knows the word because he's seen it often before. You catch my meaning, Vicar?" (page 98)

"You see," said Miss Marple. "I daresay it has nothing to do with the murder. But it is a Peculiar Thing. And just at present we all feel we must take notice of Peculiar Things." (page 165)

I really looked forward to this read, and was disappointed possibly because I recently read The Girl in the Spider's Web. It has a similar message about men who treat women badly, but with a simpler plot. There are a few suspects, and its basically a guessing game.

This book was all over the place. Dragons, music, racism, unlikely friendships, love, duty, absentee parents, powers, and identity were just some of the themes, explained in the next paragraph that includes some moderate spoilers.

Seraphina is a 16-year-old half-dragon girl whose skills include music and also communicating in her mind with other half-dragons, who falls in love with a human, but can't tell him because her human father has told her to hide her identity because he's ashamed of falling in love with a dragon-woman (who died during childbirth).

Spoilers notwithstanding, you'll probably figure out the entire story if you read the first few chapters. With accolades by Naomi Novik and Tamora Pierce, I was excited to dive in. But its very predictable, with a dutiful heroine (kinda Harry Potter-esque), driven by her sense of morality. She's half-dragon, which is interesting, but her struggles are all conventional. I wanted to read more about the world of Goreddi, the the interactions between the other half-dragons, etc. Maybe in the next book?

I just read Uprooted by Naomi Novik, which was superior in terms of writing style and emotion. Hartman's sentences used the same words and were the same length. (I scanned the last 100 pages of the book.) However, I enjoyed the interesting touches, like Seraphina's "mind garden" and the stoicism of the dragons. There was even a little sci-fi/steampunky technology (Orma's earring, the quigutl-made lizard with the human head). Don't miss the glossary and a cast of characters in the back, since the names seem to be randomly composed and not based in any known language.

I give the book four stars just because its imaginative, albeit predictable. Recommended if you're looking for a quick and easy YA fantasy read.

Quotes
The music buoyed my small form, filled and surrounded me, made me larger than myself. It was the answer to a question I had never asked, the way to fill the dread emptiness into which I had been born. I believed - no, I knew - I could transcend the vastness and touch the vaulted ceiling with my hand. (page 3)

"You are all that's left of Linn. Her own people won't even say her name. I - I value your continued existence." - Orma (page 285)

I feel this music in my very blood. This is what it means to be me, right here, right now, solid flesh, ethereal air, eternal motion. I feel this, and it is true beyond truth. (page 376)

"If you're going to demand the truth from me, you could at least have the courtesy to believe it." - Seraphina (page 408)

Another enjoyable Tempe Brennan read. The mystery was puzzling, with threads that spiraled in every direction. However the premise was familiar, so it wasn't boring.

Quotes:
My grandmother used to say that God's tonic for sorrow was physical labor. She also felt toads caused infertility, but that was another issue. (page 18)

I knew little of the people, their preferences in cars, jobs, neighborhoods, toothpaste. Their views toward law and authority. I was a stranger to their likes, their dislikes, their trusts, their lusts. Their reasons for murder. (page 49)

Quotes:
"Bodies are always being found in libraries in books." - (Colonel Bantry, page 4)

"What I feel is that if one has got to have a murder actually happening in one's house, one might as well enjoy it, if you know what I mean." (Mrs. Dolly Bantry, page 9)

"Downstairs in the lounge, by the third pillar from the left, there sits an old lady with a sweet, placid spinsterish face and a mind that has plumbed the depths of human iniquity and taken it as all in the day's work." (Sir Henry Clithering, page 103)

"The truth is, you see, that most people - and I don't exclude policemen - are far too trusting for this wicked world. They believe what is told them. I never do. I'm afraid I always like to prove a thing for myself." (Miss Jane Marple, page 210)

The beginning of the book, I felt, was very well written. I was immediately engrossed with the Russian-inspired vocabulary, the wintery setting, and of course, the magic. How many books have people with powers sorted by their "personality" or "affinity" or "skill set"? The Divergent series comes to mind. But somehow, this felt a little different. Have I found my next YA book obsession?

Fast forward 150 pages. The book suddenly turned petty: make-up, clothes, gossip, boys. This was not what I imagined. What about the world of Ravka, the different Grisha, their powers, their interactions? I wanted to read about the magical devices the Fabrikators made, and exhibitions of Grisha powers. I can find gossip any day at the office, for crying out loud. Spoilers follow, but let me just say that Leigh Bardugo took some shortcuts. Many things aren't explained or are too quickly wrapped up. For example...

BAM! Suddenly Alina is able to use her power, after just two pages of exploration and what seems like fifty pages of frustration. Seems like the author is getting tired here. The Apparat's role wasn't properly explained. Is he a prophet, enemy, or friend? The Darkling just kisses Alina out of nowhere and suddenly she loves him? Sorry, but blech! What about how Mal magically finds Alina in the forest after she runs away? I was shaking my head.

Okay, so my frustrations are out. I think Bardugo has talent, and I'm willing to give the next book a chance. Perhaps her writing will progress. Recommended if you enjoy characters who have special powers and if you enjoy books with a bit of glamour and intrigue.

Quotes:
I snapped, and took some satisfaction from the surprise that came over his broad face. People, particularly big men carrying big rifles, don't expect lip from a scrawny thing like me. (page 8-9)

"Do you ask your heart to beat or your lungs to breathe? Your power serves you because that is its purpose, because it cannot help but serve you." (Baghra, page 185)

I'd been lonely my whole life, but I'd never been truly alone before, and it wasn't nearly as scary as I'd imagined. (page 250)

Another cozy Miss Marple mystery. As with all the Christie mysteries so far, there are many suspects to choose from. FYI, Miss Marple doesn't make an appearance until 3/4 through the book. Its mostly Jerry, narrating in first person, who tries to figure out the mystery, which in the end, of course, is about

love

.

Quotes:

"Don't you think you're being rather morbid?" I asked. "Yes," said Megan. "That's what people always say when you're saying the truth." (page 36)

"And let me tell you, the person we're after is dangerous. She's about as dangerous as a rattlesnake and a cobra and a black mamba rolled into one." (Nash, page 110)

I really enjoyed this collection of thirteen short detective stories. Reminded me of good ol' Encyclopedia Brown. It was great fun to try to figure out each story, and I particularly enjoyed "The Idol House of Astarte" and "The Companion." I wish I could join the Tuesday Night Club!

Also called The Thirteen Problems.

Quotes:
"I was more disturbed than I can tell you. I was knitting a comforter for old Mrs. Hay at the time, and in my perturbation I dropped two stitches and never discovered it until long after." (Miss Marple, page 90)

"You've got to have S.A."
"What," said Miss Marple, "is S.A.?"
"Sex appeal," said Jane.
"Ah! yes," said Miss Marple. "What in my day they used to call 'having the come hither in your eye."

I read this series back in high school and loved it. So this is a reread review, and I'm kind of embarrassed that I loved the O'Malley books so much. I read The Negotiator a month ago, and it had an engaging plot. The Guardian is just cheesy romance, which US Marshall action thrown in but that never takes central stage. But hey, if you like that, its a great read for a rainy day. :)