Take a photo of a barcode or cover
michellebookaddict's Reviews (822)
4★
Predictable with some stereotypical characters.
Well, despite some characters being too stereotypical, I did end up liking it. And there was a lot of action in the end. A lot! A shooting. Zack meeting his birth family. And then there was Savannah Moore's own personal demons drama. Loved Zach Turner!!!!!
Predictable with some stereotypical characters.
Well, despite some characters being too stereotypical, I did end up liking it. And there was a lot of action in the end. A lot! A shooting. Zack meeting his birth family. And then there was Savannah Moore's own personal demons drama. Loved Zach Turner!!!!!
3.5★
Ok quick read. Unrealistic (Kate is a ex-Navy Seal?! I ignored that and didn't like how "macho" and cold-hearted she was) and predictable. And there was a few parts that was just too wordy.
But in all I liked it. Maybe because I liked Nick the most
Ok quick read. Unrealistic (Kate is a ex-Navy Seal?! I ignored that and didn't like how "macho" and cold-hearted she was) and predictable. And there was a few parts that was just too wordy.
But in all I liked it. Maybe because I liked Nick the most
Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid
4 out of 5 stars ★ and a favorite ♥
This is the second book of The Austen Project series. There's two other books to this series so far, along with one more book being released on April 19th (Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld). I'm looking forward to reading Emma by Alexander McCall Smith (book 3).
This series is a satire to Jane Austen's books. I know that nobody else can write like Jane can, but I still enjoy reading these retelling stories. I love Austen's books and her writing. Val McDermid normally writes mystery books. I really don't often read mystery books so Val was a New-To-Me Author. I don't know if I'll be reading any of her books but Northanger Abbey was a fun read.
I know the story of Northanger Abbey quite well already due to the fact that this is my favorite Jane Austen book, although it's been a while since I've read it. Val was able to add this 21st Century update to the story with all those texting, Twitter and Facebook media stuff. And I loved that the theme in Bathe took place during a sort of Art Festival of sorts (books, theatre, etc.)
I did find it ridiculous that "Cat" Morland (short for Catherine) thought that the Tilney family was a bunch of vampires. Seriously how naive can a girl get? I don't remember Austen's heroine being that naive. As for the other characters... Well to put it bluntly, all but the Tilney's and Catherine's characters are more developed in this than the others. The Morland family is quickly described, and then it's off to be with The Allen's who have a small role in Cat's life - more like chauffeurs than anything. And then there's the much hated Thorpe family. Oh it's no spoiler how these characters are bad news. I did really like Cat Morland and Henry Tilney.
It would have been nice if Val had picked out some more books that were of the Gothic Fiction genre like Austen did. But instead she came up with an imaginary book series that the characters raved about. I ended up actually searching to see if the Hebridean Harpies book series was real but alas it is not so. She did mention those Twilight books (I can't remember any others). Jane Austen had blessed us with actually naming some real books and authors, and mostly Ann Radcliffe's books. Those books are now called the Northanger Horrid Novels with 7 suggested books to read. There's got to be some good Gothic Fiction books out there now. Even if they had the average Zombie apocalypse or what not. I think Joyce Carol Oates even has some Gothic Mysteries now.
In all this was a fun retelling. It doesn't compare to Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey but I thought it was still worth the read. And I did like Val McDermid's book enough to buy the kindle edition after my library hardcover loan expired. I think I liked the description of the festival and the book's ending the most. Though the description of the Abbey was nice too.
4 out of 5 stars ★ and a favorite ♥
This is the second book of The Austen Project series. There's two other books to this series so far, along with one more book being released on April 19th (Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld). I'm looking forward to reading Emma by Alexander McCall Smith (book 3).
This series is a satire to Jane Austen's books. I know that nobody else can write like Jane can, but I still enjoy reading these retelling stories. I love Austen's books and her writing. Val McDermid normally writes mystery books. I really don't often read mystery books so Val was a New-To-Me Author. I don't know if I'll be reading any of her books but Northanger Abbey was a fun read.
I know the story of Northanger Abbey quite well already due to the fact that this is my favorite Jane Austen book, although it's been a while since I've read it. Val was able to add this 21st Century update to the story with all those texting, Twitter and Facebook media stuff. And I loved that the theme in Bathe took place during a sort of Art Festival of sorts (books, theatre, etc.)
I did find it ridiculous that "Cat" Morland (short for Catherine) thought that the Tilney family was a bunch of vampires. Seriously how naive can a girl get? I don't remember Austen's heroine being that naive. As for the other characters... Well to put it bluntly, all but the Tilney's and Catherine's characters are more developed in this than the others. The Morland family is quickly described, and then it's off to be with The Allen's who have a small role in Cat's life - more like chauffeurs than anything. And then there's the much hated Thorpe family. Oh it's no spoiler how these characters are bad news. I did really like Cat Morland and Henry Tilney.
It would have been nice if Val had picked out some more books that were of the Gothic Fiction genre like Austen did. But instead she came up with an imaginary book series that the characters raved about. I ended up actually searching to see if the Hebridean Harpies book series was real but alas it is not so. She did mention those Twilight books (I can't remember any others). Jane Austen had blessed us with actually naming some real books and authors, and mostly Ann Radcliffe's books. Those books are now called the Northanger Horrid Novels with 7 suggested books to read. There's got to be some good Gothic Fiction books out there now. Even if they had the average Zombie apocalypse or what not. I think Joyce Carol Oates even has some Gothic Mysteries now.
If you know any modern Gothic Fiction books I'd love to hear about them.
In all this was a fun retelling. It doesn't compare to Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey but I thought it was still worth the read. And I did like Val McDermid's book enough to buy the kindle edition after my library hardcover loan expired. I think I liked the description of the festival and the book's ending the most. Though the description of the Abbey was nice too.
Favorite Quote:
“It was a source of constant disappointment to Catherine Morland that her life did not more closely resemble her books. Or rather, that the books in which she found its likeness were so unexciting.”
― Val McDermid, Northanger Abbey
May 2013
4★
This is book 2 of the Austen Addicts' Trilogy. I haven't read the other books in the series. I wasn't lost or confused about the characters, like I am when jumping into the middle of a series. Kay and Adam's point of views were good. Adam's pov helped in getting the feel of the film producer aspects. I did feel that the characters were annoying sometimes. The plot is a nice predictable lazy time read.
I was more annoyed with the way Kay kept forcing people to try to read a Jane Austen book. It felt like the author was pushing an agenda. The agenda being that reading a Jane Austen is a must and it's the end of the world if they don't like Austen. I love Jane. But I don't force strangers, let alone my friends, to read her works. If I did then one of my friends would force me to read some Star Wars books or Graphic Comic Books. At the age of 37+.
4★
This is book 2 of the Austen Addicts' Trilogy. I haven't read the other books in the series. I wasn't lost or confused about the characters, like I am when jumping into the middle of a series. Kay and Adam's point of views were good. Adam's pov helped in getting the feel of the film producer aspects. I did feel that the characters were annoying sometimes. The plot is a nice predictable lazy time read.
I was more annoyed with the way Kay kept forcing people to try to read a Jane Austen book. It felt like the author was pushing an agenda. The agenda being that reading a Jane Austen is a must and it's the end of the world if they don't like Austen. I love Jane. But I don't force strangers, let alone my friends, to read her works. If I did then one of my friends would force me to read some Star Wars books or Graphic Comic Books. At the age of 37+.
4★
Natalie Quakenbush is a quirky character. Even her last name is odd and is even picked on by her students behind her back (though she still knows about it). It's a cute chick lit romance. It was just a little predictable. What I liked about this was that it centered more around the main character, Natalie. She's 29 and fearing turning 30 (wasn't so long ago I had those days, and my youngest sister just passed that. Made fun saying that she's now 3 decades old).
The description of Natalie's teaching classes was a little hard to picture. They were all different age classes (freshman - senior high school). Plus the class schedules changed around too much to follow. Some of the high school kids I liked, but I felt that Natalie was very judgemental of all her students (not just the one kid who she thought was Satan's spawn).
Some of the lies Natalie and her friends come up with while bar hopping is funny. And some I probably would've used to keep the guys I didn't like away. Except Natalie lied too much to strangers that she lies to a potential boyfriend.
The author's description of Arizona I really liked. Felt like I was really there, heat and all. I look forward to reading other books by Carol
Natalie Quakenbush is a quirky character. Even her last name is odd and is even picked on by her students behind her back (though she still knows about it). It's a cute chick lit romance. It was just a little predictable. What I liked about this was that it centered more around the main character, Natalie. She's 29 and fearing turning 30 (wasn't so long ago I had those days, and my youngest sister just passed that. Made fun saying that she's now 3 decades old).
The description of Natalie's teaching classes was a little hard to picture. They were all different age classes (freshman - senior high school). Plus the class schedules changed around too much to follow. Some of the high school kids I liked, but I felt that Natalie was very judgemental of all her students (not just the one kid who she thought was Satan's spawn).
Some of the lies Natalie and her friends come up with while bar hopping is funny. And some I probably would've used to keep the guys I didn't like away. Except Natalie lied too much to strangers that she lies to a potential boyfriend.
The author's description of Arizona I really liked. Felt like I was really there, heat and all. I look forward to reading other books by Carol
