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wordsofclover's Reviews (2.16k)
French born, English raised Marguerite is a married doll-maker who is quite content with her life, her husband and her little doll shop in London. That is until some drunkards come to her shop, shouting about the French and end up skewering her husband. Afterwards, marguerite finds it difficult to discover any reason she should stay on int the world. Eventually her beloved aunt ships Marguerite off to become an apprentice under Madam Tussaud. Yes, that Madam Tussaud.
Madam Tussaud fled France several years earlier with her waxwork figures and her young son. With a grim sense of determination and a work ethnic that would please any soldier, Marie Tussaud is determined to make her waxwork show a success. Under Tussaud's guidance, Marguerite slowly begins to come out of her shell, rediscover her creative flare and maybe even fall in love. Marguerite also becomes entangled with a famous man of history - Lord Nelson!
Overall, I found this a very enjoyable book! From the get go, Marguerite was quite a likeable character and i actually found it remarkable how fond I became of Nicholas within the few mere pages he was actually alive. Their relationship was so sweet and sincere, I found myself hoping the blatant obvious wouldn't become true.
I also liked the strong character of Marie Tussaud. She faced every single situation the same, showing off a very tough character, only letting in a few cracks for softness now and again. She was a constant source of strength and admiration. And certainly sounded like someone who would become a very famous success!
I found the first half of the book a very slow read, despite the timeline in it being quite fast paced. The second half of the book went much quicker for me, and I enjoyed the bit of 'real' action in it much more!
Although Mr. Philipstral was portrayed as the 'villain', I wouldn't quite label him so. Yes, he was certainly a scoundrel and a trickster, and you probably couldn't trust him as far as you could throw him but I believed that he would never really hurt Marguerite, and truly did care for her. In the end, the last time Marguerite talked to Philistral was actually quite a sweet one, and showed that he thought of her even when his own life was at risk.
The characters of Darden Hastings and Brax Selwyn reminded me an awful lot (at first) of Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Hastings has the dark, grumpy exterior but is really quite a sweetheart inside, while Selwyn was full of jokes and easy smiles.
There were definitely times that Marguerite irritated me, in particular when she kept taking certain characters at face value. I wish she hadn't been so naive and sometimes some straight questions and answers would have solved some problems (and eradicated some subplots)
Overall, I think when an author can create a fictional character and place them in moments of history, and build them friendships with people of historical importance, making them seem like they've always belonged there...that's a real talent. And Trent did it so, so perfectly.
Madam Tussaud fled France several years earlier with her waxwork figures and her young son. With a grim sense of determination and a work ethnic that would please any soldier, Marie Tussaud is determined to make her waxwork show a success. Under Tussaud's guidance, Marguerite slowly begins to come out of her shell, rediscover her creative flare and maybe even fall in love. Marguerite also becomes entangled with a famous man of history - Lord Nelson!
Overall, I found this a very enjoyable book! From the get go, Marguerite was quite a likeable character and i actually found it remarkable how fond I became of Nicholas within the few mere pages he was actually alive. Their relationship was so sweet and sincere, I found myself hoping the blatant obvious wouldn't become true.
I also liked the strong character of Marie Tussaud. She faced every single situation the same, showing off a very tough character, only letting in a few cracks for softness now and again. She was a constant source of strength and admiration. And certainly sounded like someone who would become a very famous success!
I found the first half of the book a very slow read, despite the timeline in it being quite fast paced. The second half of the book went much quicker for me, and I enjoyed the bit of 'real' action in it much more!
Although Mr. Philipstral was portrayed as the 'villain', I wouldn't quite label him so. Yes, he was certainly a scoundrel and a trickster, and you probably couldn't trust him as far as you could throw him but I believed that he would never really hurt Marguerite, and truly did care for her. In the end, the last time Marguerite talked to Philistral was actually quite a sweet one, and showed that he thought of her even when his own life was at risk.
The characters of Darden Hastings and Brax Selwyn reminded me an awful lot (at first) of Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Hastings has the dark, grumpy exterior but is really quite a sweetheart inside, while Selwyn was full of jokes and easy smiles.
There were definitely times that Marguerite irritated me, in particular when she kept taking certain characters at face value. I wish she hadn't been so naive and sometimes some straight questions and answers would have solved some problems (and eradicated some subplots)
Overall, I think when an author can create a fictional character and place them in moments of history, and build them friendships with people of historical importance, making them seem like they've always belonged there...that's a real talent. And Trent did it so, so perfectly.
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
Cleo, or Cleopatra, is only ten years of age when she is forced to flee her father's kingdom following the death of her mother. Cleo knows that now with her mother dead and her father, the Pharaoh, in Rome, her older half-sisters will kill her to make sure she can never succeed them on the throne. Cleo and her slave/best friend Charm flee to a Temple of Isis, the Goddess who blessed Cleo on her birth and whom she has a special connection with.
Four years later, Cleo is instructed by Isis to return to her old home, and into the arms of her now death-worshipping sisters, on a mission to help restore Isis's failing power. Cleo, Charm and Khai, a librarian, are now all on a time-restrained mission to bring back Isis to the Egyptians.
I really wish I could say that this is a downright amazing book, because the premise of it sounded so so promising. But unfortunately, it isn't and the main fault behind this whole book is the personality of Cleo herself.
The book starts off with a ten year old Cleo going off on a rant about everything, and everyone. Now, yes, her mother is dying and she has every reason under the sun to hate everybody but I felt like it was a very bad way to start a novel as right away, the reader is turned off of Cleo. And this ended up remaining for the entire book. I felt like she was overly spoilt, and expecting, and extremely privileged despite leaving the palace at age ten and making her own way.
I didn't really connect overall with any character in the book, none felt extremely deep and every single one of them came across to me as a bit untrustworthy.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Khai and Cleo was off for me for a start but for a personal reason for me which is that one of bookish pet peeves is the whole, "I've seen him once, and now I'm in love with him." NO! That's not how it works, you can never make me believe that that's how it works. While i do feel the connection is there, I just wish there had been a better bridge built towards the love bit rather than the easy way out of 'love at first sight'. I also felt myself, that ten years old is far too young to be having stomach melting dreams about a boy older than you. Even at 14, it's a bit young, though certainly better than ten. I think Khai and Cleo's relationship is the reason I kelp imagining Cleo older in my head. Yet, throughout the novel she had an extremely juvenile voice (she calls her sisters the Evil Sow Sisters).
I did feel that everything from the dress, gods and goddesses, customs and food matched very well up to what I would believe Egypt was like back when Cleopatra was believed to have lived and I enjoyed reading about the different costumes she wore and the food she ate. I was always a fan of the Greek gods and goddesses so hearing about the Egyptian ones was just as interesting for me.
The book could have definitely been about 100 pages longer and been a stand alone. I can't really imagine what could fill up an entire book unless it's a lot of plot that wasn't touched upon at all in Cleo. Unless, the entire second book is Cleo and the gang riding across a desert...who knows? I don't think I'll be picking it up either way.
Cleo, or Cleopatra, is only ten years of age when she is forced to flee her father's kingdom following the death of her mother. Cleo knows that now with her mother dead and her father, the Pharaoh, in Rome, her older half-sisters will kill her to make sure she can never succeed them on the throne. Cleo and her slave/best friend Charm flee to a Temple of Isis, the Goddess who blessed Cleo on her birth and whom she has a special connection with.
Four years later, Cleo is instructed by Isis to return to her old home, and into the arms of her now death-worshipping sisters, on a mission to help restore Isis's failing power. Cleo, Charm and Khai, a librarian, are now all on a time-restrained mission to bring back Isis to the Egyptians.
I really wish I could say that this is a downright amazing book, because the premise of it sounded so so promising. But unfortunately, it isn't and the main fault behind this whole book is the personality of Cleo herself.
The book starts off with a ten year old Cleo going off on a rant about everything, and everyone. Now, yes, her mother is dying and she has every reason under the sun to hate everybody but I felt like it was a very bad way to start a novel as right away, the reader is turned off of Cleo. And this ended up remaining for the entire book. I felt like she was overly spoilt, and expecting, and extremely privileged despite leaving the palace at age ten and making her own way.
I didn't really connect overall with any character in the book, none felt extremely deep and every single one of them came across to me as a bit untrustworthy.
Unfortunately, the relationship between Khai and Cleo was off for me for a start but for a personal reason for me which is that one of bookish pet peeves is the whole, "I've seen him once, and now I'm in love with him." NO! That's not how it works, you can never make me believe that that's how it works. While i do feel the connection is there, I just wish there had been a better bridge built towards the love bit rather than the easy way out of 'love at first sight'. I also felt myself, that ten years old is far too young to be having stomach melting dreams about a boy older than you. Even at 14, it's a bit young, though certainly better than ten. I think Khai and Cleo's relationship is the reason I kelp imagining Cleo older in my head. Yet, throughout the novel she had an extremely juvenile voice (she calls her sisters the Evil Sow Sisters).
I did feel that everything from the dress, gods and goddesses, customs and food matched very well up to what I would believe Egypt was like back when Cleopatra was believed to have lived and I enjoyed reading about the different costumes she wore and the food she ate. I was always a fan of the Greek gods and goddesses so hearing about the Egyptian ones was just as interesting for me.
The book could have definitely been about 100 pages longer and been a stand alone. I can't really imagine what could fill up an entire book unless it's a lot of plot that wasn't touched upon at all in Cleo. Unless, the entire second book is Cleo and the gang riding across a desert...who knows? I don't think I'll be picking it up either way.
4.5 Stars
Prodigy carries on with the story of Day and June as they run away from the Republic, and hope, desperately, that the Patriots will take them in and help them take down the corrupt government.
Oh my goodness. This series, I have no words. It has everything you want in a dystopian series from a fabulous, strong couple ready to take on the world, a corrupt branch of government that have their fingers dipped in everything and a few twists and turns that leave you breathless with anxiety, grief and love. I adore Day, he has been my ultimate literary crush of the year and this book didn't change that. I did get a bit annoyed at him sometimes (cough, Tess) but overall, his gut instinct to trust June over others really wins out and keeps him as the Day that I love.
As for Tess, Marie Lu definitely has an insane ability to make it very easy to hate the guts of a character I felt amicable towards in Legend. Literally from the moment she reappeared, I got angry with her. Every part of the book Tess was in made me want to rip out the pages so she didn't exist. Ugh.
And that ending. Oh, Day...I'm so nervous to find out what happens in Champion now :(
Prodigy carries on with the story of Day and June as they run away from the Republic, and hope, desperately, that the Patriots will take them in and help them take down the corrupt government.
Oh my goodness. This series, I have no words. It has everything you want in a dystopian series from a fabulous, strong couple ready to take on the world, a corrupt branch of government that have their fingers dipped in everything and a few twists and turns that leave you breathless with anxiety, grief and love. I adore Day, he has been my ultimate literary crush of the year and this book didn't change that. I did get a bit annoyed at him sometimes (cough, Tess) but overall, his gut instinct to trust June over others really wins out and keeps him as the Day that I love.
As for Tess, Marie Lu definitely has an insane ability to make it very easy to hate the guts of a character I felt amicable towards in Legend. Literally from the moment she reappeared, I got angry with her. Every part of the book Tess was in made me want to rip out the pages so she didn't exist. Ugh.
And that ending. Oh, Day...I'm so nervous to find out what happens in Champion now :(
Maggie Brennan loves dogs and works as a pet bereavement counsellor (yep, they exist!). However, Maggie has some problem off her own that despite all her academic achievements, she can't seem to fix on her own. Then Maggie meets Anya, a vivacious young woman who is angry at the whole world. Anya believes, despite what her family say, that her missing dog Billy was stolen and is not, in fact, dead. Sometime about Anya stirs Maggie and she soon finds herself pushing her own boundaries to help one girl find her lost dog.
This book is one for dog lovers. Or animal lovers. It's not for anyone indifferent to our canine companions, or someone who scoffs at peoples pain over the deaths of animals, when they treat them like family. For a dog lover, this book will allow you to recognise all the different feelings you have had towards your own dogs (or give you a glimpse at what you cane expect if you ever get one). It has a very real glimpse into the power a dog has to reach into your heart with chocolate brown eyes and grab it, squeeze it, and claim it as theirs.
Maggie is lost. She is living in a strange new city, and still hasn't gotten over the death of her best friend, and dog, Toby. Toby was Maggie's rock and helped her combat fears and anxieties that she never knew she had until he was gone. Now Maggie is a prisoner in her own fear, and the bars of her cell have been put there by her own mind.
For all her anxiety, Maggie is an extremely likable character. She has a very good heart and calm, quiet demeanor that radiates kindness. And despite her illness, Maggie really pushes to beat it when she needs to.
There's a great character development for both Maggie and Anya in this book (and Seymour). Maggie learns to be brave, and how to count her breaths. Anya learns that there can be things found to smile about, even when you don't think you can be happy ever again.
There was such a great emphasis on rescue dogs as well in this book, that as an owner of a rescue dog myself, I really enjoyed. Between Sally and Seymour, the book gave any readers thinking about adding to their home an idea as to where to find it.
The strongest element in Dog Crazy was, naturally, an owners bond to their dog. It describes perfectly that ragged, helpless feeling you get when you simply can't help your friend anymore. The horrible decision of deciding what the best thing to do is, and the emotions of when you might be ready to move on with another. When Maggie eventually got around to talking about saying goodbye to Toby, I was on my morning commute and had to gulp away tears while standing on a packed train carriage!
A definite must-read for anyone who is a fan of waggy tails!
This book is one for dog lovers. Or animal lovers. It's not for anyone indifferent to our canine companions, or someone who scoffs at peoples pain over the deaths of animals, when they treat them like family. For a dog lover, this book will allow you to recognise all the different feelings you have had towards your own dogs (or give you a glimpse at what you cane expect if you ever get one). It has a very real glimpse into the power a dog has to reach into your heart with chocolate brown eyes and grab it, squeeze it, and claim it as theirs.
Maggie is lost. She is living in a strange new city, and still hasn't gotten over the death of her best friend, and dog, Toby. Toby was Maggie's rock and helped her combat fears and anxieties that she never knew she had until he was gone. Now Maggie is a prisoner in her own fear, and the bars of her cell have been put there by her own mind.
For all her anxiety, Maggie is an extremely likable character. She has a very good heart and calm, quiet demeanor that radiates kindness. And despite her illness, Maggie really pushes to beat it when she needs to.
There's a great character development for both Maggie and Anya in this book (and Seymour). Maggie learns to be brave, and how to count her breaths. Anya learns that there can be things found to smile about, even when you don't think you can be happy ever again.
There was such a great emphasis on rescue dogs as well in this book, that as an owner of a rescue dog myself, I really enjoyed. Between Sally and Seymour, the book gave any readers thinking about adding to their home an idea as to where to find it.
The strongest element in Dog Crazy was, naturally, an owners bond to their dog. It describes perfectly that ragged, helpless feeling you get when you simply can't help your friend anymore. The horrible decision of deciding what the best thing to do is, and the emotions of when you might be ready to move on with another. When Maggie eventually got around to talking about saying goodbye to Toby, I was on my morning commute and had to gulp away tears while standing on a packed train carriage!
A definite must-read for anyone who is a fan of waggy tails!
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
Genesis Wainwright can't remember last night. She can remember the guy she had a blind date with, she can remember feeling that she didn't really like him. But she can't remember the point when, somehow, she ended up with a bomb strapped to her chest.
Bomb tells the story of a day in the life of Genesis, except it's not a normal day. Sudden;y genesis is in a life or death situation. She can blow up at any minute, she has to listen to the voice in her ear and can't even talk to anyone to try and get help. Genesis needs to find out what's going on and save herself, and a lot of other people, in the process.
This book had an amazing concept. As soon as i read the summary, I knew I wanted to read it. The plot could only be thrilling and leave me at the edge of my seat, right? Wrong! I was so bitterly disappointed. I ended up rally hating the main character when I should be feeling nothing but sorry for her, and possibly proud of her for how she is acting. Instead, for some weird reason, she ends up turning the whole situation around into a very weird love triangle, kind of.
I found the whole thing quite unbelievable, despite suicide bombings being a very big and unfortunate reality in today's society. The way she thought just didn't add up for me and I hated the way she kept coming up with these random sayings. I felt like the author was trying to just cram a whole load of nonsense that was probably suppose to make Genesis seem super smart and rational and didn't.
I mean...why didn't she attempt to call the police. Or Holly? Or Dave? Why didn't any of them do anything like that. And Dave's experiences and knowledge didn't seem right for me. From the story i got the jist he hadn't been in the army that long, maybe a year. How could he know so much already? Not buying it.
And the way the police decided, yep, shoot first when the terrorist organisation have a history of abducting young girls and using them as suicide bombers yet they have orders to conduct kill shots?? That just really annoyed me. Also, how did someone spot Genesis as acting oddly, it wasn't explained, the police just showed up. The same with the blind date. How did Genesis end up organising this date? I don't think it was ever explained properly.
And Naz, oh my god Naz. Genesis was so moony over this boy who was obviously so deranged. At first it was pathetic and then it got annoying and hello, I could see what she found out about 70% in, at 10% in. It was so obvious!! And her feelings towards Dave, Genesis you have a bomb strapped to your chest, maybe think about that rather than the way Dave's lips feel. Jeez Louise!
Plus, what the hell was with Genesis' dream just being thrown in the mix? It made no sense to me, though at halfway through I started skim reading because I just couldn't take it anymore,
This book was just trying way too hard, and if it could have been stripped down with the weird messy love relationship(s) taken out of it, it would have been much better. Overall, a really disappointing book.
Genesis Wainwright can't remember last night. She can remember the guy she had a blind date with, she can remember feeling that she didn't really like him. But she can't remember the point when, somehow, she ended up with a bomb strapped to her chest.
Bomb tells the story of a day in the life of Genesis, except it's not a normal day. Sudden;y genesis is in a life or death situation. She can blow up at any minute, she has to listen to the voice in her ear and can't even talk to anyone to try and get help. Genesis needs to find out what's going on and save herself, and a lot of other people, in the process.
This book had an amazing concept. As soon as i read the summary, I knew I wanted to read it. The plot could only be thrilling and leave me at the edge of my seat, right? Wrong! I was so bitterly disappointed. I ended up rally hating the main character when I should be feeling nothing but sorry for her, and possibly proud of her for how she is acting. Instead, for some weird reason, she ends up turning the whole situation around into a very weird love triangle, kind of.
I found the whole thing quite unbelievable, despite suicide bombings being a very big and unfortunate reality in today's society. The way she thought just didn't add up for me and I hated the way she kept coming up with these random sayings. I felt like the author was trying to just cram a whole load of nonsense that was probably suppose to make Genesis seem super smart and rational and didn't.
I mean...why didn't she attempt to call the police. Or Holly? Or Dave? Why didn't any of them do anything like that. And Dave's experiences and knowledge didn't seem right for me. From the story i got the jist he hadn't been in the army that long, maybe a year. How could he know so much already? Not buying it.
And the way the police decided, yep, shoot first when the terrorist organisation have a history of abducting young girls and using them as suicide bombers yet they have orders to conduct kill shots?? That just really annoyed me. Also, how did someone spot Genesis as acting oddly, it wasn't explained, the police just showed up. The same with the blind date. How did Genesis end up organising this date? I don't think it was ever explained properly.
And Naz, oh my god Naz. Genesis was so moony over this boy who was obviously so deranged. At first it was pathetic and then it got annoying and hello, I could see what she found out about 70% in, at 10% in. It was so obvious!! And her feelings towards Dave, Genesis you have a bomb strapped to your chest, maybe think about that rather than the way Dave's lips feel. Jeez Louise!
Plus, what the hell was with Genesis' dream just being thrown in the mix? It made no sense to me, though at halfway through I started skim reading because I just couldn't take it anymore,
This book was just trying way too hard, and if it could have been stripped down with the weird messy love relationship(s) taken out of it, it would have been much better. Overall, a really disappointing book.
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
Mukta did not have a great start to life, and has experienced traumatic events that no-one should ever have to go to. With her sparkling green eyes, fair skin and glossy hair, Mukta is desired by many but the only thing Mukta wants is for her father to come and take her away.
Tara immediately befriends Mukta when the orphaned girl is brought to stay with her and rehabilitate. before long, a couple of weeks becomes several years and the girls are as inseparable as sisters. Until one night, Mukta is stolen in the night.
Now an adult Tara has returned to Bombay to search for Mukta and relieve the guilt that she has felt that night. For Tara knows the real reason that Mukta disappeared.
This story is a poignant tale of a female friendship that spans decades and never leaves hearts. A tale that shows the gritty, ugly side of the kind of human trafficking that still exists in backstreet India and highlights the people who will do anything to try and save those affected by it.
While Mukta and Tara, in theory, should have led similar lives, they are separated by a huge bridge due to their different upbringings. Tara was spoiled as the child of a father who was well respected within his new city community and a mother who doted on both husband and daughter. While Mukta was the daughter of the temple prostitute, and treated like dirt by most people she came into contact with. However, while the girls came together and should have progressed in education and their future, they were both held back, in different ways, by cultural superstitions.
While Mukta's story was, at times, difficult to read, it really highlighted the importance of trying to stop the human trafficking problem in India. I never knew about the temple prostitutes and how it is still considered a norm in today's society to initiate girls as young as eight into this kind of society.
I definitely preferred Mukta's story rather than Tara's as the latter became rather whiney and repetitive at times, feeling sorry for herself and embroiled in her own guilt for what happened to her friend. Mukta, on the other hand, despite her horrid circumstances seemed to be able to put on a braver face.
The best way to describe this book is a female, Indian version of The Kite Runner. It contains the same strength of friendship spanning over years, the same search to relieve a guilty soul and the same kind of inside look at a culture and country far from your own. Overall, this is a well-rounded book that, despite hitting heavy topics, is an extremely engrossing and enjoyable read.
Also, I have to mention how beautiful the cover is. Absolutely breathtaking.
Mukta did not have a great start to life, and has experienced traumatic events that no-one should ever have to go to. With her sparkling green eyes, fair skin and glossy hair, Mukta is desired by many but the only thing Mukta wants is for her father to come and take her away.
Tara immediately befriends Mukta when the orphaned girl is brought to stay with her and rehabilitate. before long, a couple of weeks becomes several years and the girls are as inseparable as sisters. Until one night, Mukta is stolen in the night.
Now an adult Tara has returned to Bombay to search for Mukta and relieve the guilt that she has felt that night. For Tara knows the real reason that Mukta disappeared.
This story is a poignant tale of a female friendship that spans decades and never leaves hearts. A tale that shows the gritty, ugly side of the kind of human trafficking that still exists in backstreet India and highlights the people who will do anything to try and save those affected by it.
While Mukta and Tara, in theory, should have led similar lives, they are separated by a huge bridge due to their different upbringings. Tara was spoiled as the child of a father who was well respected within his new city community and a mother who doted on both husband and daughter. While Mukta was the daughter of the temple prostitute, and treated like dirt by most people she came into contact with. However, while the girls came together and should have progressed in education and their future, they were both held back, in different ways, by cultural superstitions.
While Mukta's story was, at times, difficult to read, it really highlighted the importance of trying to stop the human trafficking problem in India. I never knew about the temple prostitutes and how it is still considered a norm in today's society to initiate girls as young as eight into this kind of society.
I definitely preferred Mukta's story rather than Tara's as the latter became rather whiney and repetitive at times, feeling sorry for herself and embroiled in her own guilt for what happened to her friend. Mukta, on the other hand, despite her horrid circumstances seemed to be able to put on a braver face.
The best way to describe this book is a female, Indian version of The Kite Runner. It contains the same strength of friendship spanning over years, the same search to relieve a guilty soul and the same kind of inside look at a culture and country far from your own. Overall, this is a well-rounded book that, despite hitting heavy topics, is an extremely engrossing and enjoyable read.
Also, I have to mention how beautiful the cover is. Absolutely breathtaking.
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
The best way to describe this book is E.T meets YA fiction. Emma is the girlfriend of Lucas, a young man dying of cancer. On a night that Emma vows to do anything to save the love of her life, he suddenly wakes up, miraculously cured. However, Emma soon realises that the new and improved Lucas is not actually her Lucas. Instead, his body has been temporarily taken over by the consciousness of an alien life form called Scout, who is looking for a way to call home. Before too long, Emma ends up becoming involved in a race to get Scout home, and Lucas back.
I really enjoyed this book. It took me little over a day to read and it really kept me enthralled throughout. I felt that the personalities of all the characters really shone through, even Scout. Karen McQuestion had a great way of allowing her character's unique personality to shine through, such as Mrs Walker's...annoyingness, and Eric's smarts. I liked the small glimpses the reader got of Scout's world...I'd almost really love some kind of novella all about Scout when he returns home and reunites with Regina (also, I loved the Mean Girls references).
While Emma's devotion to Lucas was one of the strongest points in the book, I did feel concerned about how Lucas seemed to be her whole world. While I understood that Emma would be preoccupied with Lucas while he was sick, it seemed that even before that she had no one else but him. At only points in the novel does Emma mention her friends - one was when she said she used her phone for updates from friends (but didn't mention names), another was when she said that two of her friends had ditched her in fifth grade. She didn't seem to have one best friend. When Lucas got sick, his friends dropped her to school...she had no friends of her own. I found this concerning, and a little unhealthy. I don't think it's a great message to send to younger readers, that's it okay to make your world center around one boy because when they leave, you end up with nothing. I enjoyed the book overall too much for me to detract a star because of this though.
This was a fast-paced, easy and enjoyable read and I just really want to know how Scout is doing now!
The best way to describe this book is E.T meets YA fiction. Emma is the girlfriend of Lucas, a young man dying of cancer. On a night that Emma vows to do anything to save the love of her life, he suddenly wakes up, miraculously cured. However, Emma soon realises that the new and improved Lucas is not actually her Lucas. Instead, his body has been temporarily taken over by the consciousness of an alien life form called Scout, who is looking for a way to call home. Before too long, Emma ends up becoming involved in a race to get Scout home, and Lucas back.
I really enjoyed this book. It took me little over a day to read and it really kept me enthralled throughout. I felt that the personalities of all the characters really shone through, even Scout. Karen McQuestion had a great way of allowing her character's unique personality to shine through, such as Mrs Walker's...annoyingness, and Eric's smarts. I liked the small glimpses the reader got of Scout's world...I'd almost really love some kind of novella all about Scout when he returns home and reunites with Regina (also, I loved the Mean Girls references).
While Emma's devotion to Lucas was one of the strongest points in the book, I did feel concerned about how Lucas seemed to be her whole world. While I understood that Emma would be preoccupied with Lucas while he was sick, it seemed that even before that she had no one else but him. At only points in the novel does Emma mention her friends - one was when she said she used her phone for updates from friends (but didn't mention names), another was when she said that two of her friends had ditched her in fifth grade. She didn't seem to have one best friend. When Lucas got sick, his friends dropped her to school...she had no friends of her own. I found this concerning, and a little unhealthy. I don't think it's a great message to send to younger readers, that's it okay to make your world center around one boy because when they leave, you end up with nothing. I enjoyed the book overall too much for me to detract a star because of this though.
This was a fast-paced, easy and enjoyable read and I just really want to know how Scout is doing now!
3.7 stars
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
Riley thought she was an ordinary 16-year-old girl until the night she's involved in a terrible car accident and she sees a girl collecting a young victim's soul. Suddenly, Riley finds out that she's a member of the supernatural world. She is a halfling, the product of an Angel of Death and a human being and she's not suppose to exist. Riley is put under the guidance of Leander and she discovers how to be angelic, and tries to find out more about the mysterious deaths of teenage girls in her town.
The concept of the book is really good and the plot itself is fast-paced and quite informative. I really enjoy the world that the author has created. The hierarchy of angels and the strange rebellion that happened reminds me a little bit of the TV show Dominion, which isn't a bad thing. Riley took things pretty in stride I felt, she didn't really have a lot of freak-outs until her gran had a talk with her. Overall, I found her a pleasant character though perhaps a little bit too 'Mary-Sue', Hopefully, she'll step up the game in the second book in the series, which I think she will. I also hope we will have a better look at more creatures and even angels in the next book as, while they're mentioned in The Soul Thief, I wish we had a few more character of different species - seeing as they actually exist and all.
The major problem I had with this book though was the relationship that occurred between Leander and Riley. Now, when I was 16, I definitely felt like i was really grown up. Now that I'/m 23 however, I realise I was still a baby! So the fact that Riley and Leander, who despite looking like he's in his twenties, is actually probably like over a thousand years old, started a romantic fling.....EW! If Riley was 18, or on the cusp of 18, this would have been okay. But 16? Nope, don't like it at all. It's probably one of the very few times I've read a book and really not shipped the relationship!
Overall, I enjoyed the book and where it's going and I'll definitely pick up the next one!
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
Riley thought she was an ordinary 16-year-old girl until the night she's involved in a terrible car accident and she sees a girl collecting a young victim's soul. Suddenly, Riley finds out that she's a member of the supernatural world. She is a halfling, the product of an Angel of Death and a human being and she's not suppose to exist. Riley is put under the guidance of Leander and she discovers how to be angelic, and tries to find out more about the mysterious deaths of teenage girls in her town.
The concept of the book is really good and the plot itself is fast-paced and quite informative. I really enjoy the world that the author has created. The hierarchy of angels and the strange rebellion that happened reminds me a little bit of the TV show Dominion, which isn't a bad thing. Riley took things pretty in stride I felt, she didn't really have a lot of freak-outs until her gran had a talk with her. Overall, I found her a pleasant character though perhaps a little bit too 'Mary-Sue', Hopefully, she'll step up the game in the second book in the series, which I think she will. I also hope we will have a better look at more creatures and even angels in the next book as, while they're mentioned in The Soul Thief, I wish we had a few more character of different species - seeing as they actually exist and all.
The major problem I had with this book though was the relationship that occurred between Leander and Riley. Now, when I was 16, I definitely felt like i was really grown up. Now that I'/m 23 however, I realise I was still a baby! So the fact that Riley and Leander, who despite looking like he's in his twenties, is actually probably like over a thousand years old, started a romantic fling.....EW! If Riley was 18, or on the cusp of 18, this would have been okay. But 16? Nope, don't like it at all. It's probably one of the very few times I've read a book and really not shipped the relationship!
Overall, I enjoyed the book and where it's going and I'll definitely pick up the next one!