I was captivated by this story about Kinley and Rylan. I liked how their relationship grew from childhood, then again as adults--a noble and a commoneI was captivated by this story about Kinley and Rylan. I liked how their relationship grew from childhood, then again as adults--a noble and a commoner looking beyond their stations in life to be "real" with one another. For the most part, it kept away from the typical situations found in romance books, although it did dip into the "miscommunication" that so often prevails in romances. However, the rest of the story was delightful. Kinley and Rylan are characters you'll enjoy reading about.
Merged review:
I was captivated by this story about Kinley and Rylan. I liked how their relationship grew from childhood, then again as adults--a noble and a commoner looking beyond their stations in life to be "real" with one another. For the most part, it kept away from the typical situations found in romance books, although it did dip into the "miscommunication" that so often prevails in romances. However, the rest of the story was delightful. Kinley and Rylan are characters you'll enjoy reading about....more
This was an enjoyable story. The romance was handled well, without all the typical tropes of miscommunications leading the couple off in a huff. The sThis was an enjoyable story. The romance was handled well, without all the typical tropes of miscommunications leading the couple off in a huff. The suspense part lacked a bit of suspense, as it seemed obvious from the start who the stalker was. However, the story itself did play out well, albeit perhaps a bit too long. And although I enjoyed the background about Conrad's military experience, it felt disjointed from the rest of the story. All in all, though, the story kept me reading and entertained.
I received a copy of this book through the now-defunct Kindle Scout program....more
Jace and Floss set out to rescue an android named Angel, while Quinn is determined to return her to the future she sought to escape, believing she is Jace and Floss set out to rescue an android named Angel, while Quinn is determined to return her to the future she sought to escape, believing she is the cause of a future dominated by androids. Some time travel stories can be confusing, switching from past to future and back again and the possible changes that go along with the travel, but it was easy to follow along with this story--just make sure to keep an eye out for the dates at the beginning of sections.
The plot is well thought out and executed, and makes you wonder about all the damage humans do to our world, and why we, like the androids, can't do more to make our future better. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It has a unique perspective on a world gone bad. For the most part, the different species aren't excessively described, exI really enjoyed this book. It has a unique perspective on a world gone bad. For the most part, the different species aren't excessively described, except for the bad guys who have taken over the universe--because of their greed for wealth at all costs. The story is quite long, but it didn't feel drawn out to me; I never felt the story line was moving too slowly. The characters are engaging. Gotta love Maki, the thief who ends up with an adoptive son. ...more
If you've ever lost a loved one through suicide or other violence, or been a victim of assault yourself, or even had strong feelings of self-worth andIf you've ever lost a loved one through suicide or other violence, or been a victim of assault yourself, or even had strong feelings of self-worth and wondering why you are here, this book may give you hope. Deidre's letters to her sister, Hayley, give insight into why Diedre couldn't cope any longer, but she also wants to discourage Hayley from taking the same way out. The teen years are stressful ones, with so many challenges seemingly overwhelming. This book offers them hope; they aren't alone; there are solutions.
But why does every book call those who commit suicide "selfish"? Unless the person has ever been in such despair that he/she has ever felt that way, that the world was intolerable, those people cannot truly understand the pain and the need to end it....more
This book is a hidden gem. It starts off rather mildly with a young woman, Nadine, taking a position as a carer for an elderly woman, Lilly, recoverinThis book is a hidden gem. It starts off rather mildly with a young woman, Nadine, taking a position as a carer for an elderly woman, Lilly, recovering from an operation. The story takes off when Nadine comes in possession of a journal Lilly wrote about her time in WWII France. What makes the story in the journal fascinating is not the unfolding of the events of the war; they are told more in passing. Rather, it's the effect the war had on Lilly and those she knew. It's a story of love and loss, as much as is Nadine's own story of her past.
The book is wonderfully written, and provides insights how people react to the loss of loved ones, how they cope or don't cope. Truly a beautiful, but sad, story....more
This story was just so strange that I had to finish it. I liked the concept behind the story with the reversal of roles (male/female; rich/poor). It'sThis story was just so strange that I had to finish it. I liked the concept behind the story with the reversal of roles (male/female; rich/poor). It's easy to see the discrimination in the world through this viewpoint. However, a lot of things could have been executed better. For one, if the beginning gave the reader a sense what the story was about, rather than seemingly mindless chatter about fluids. Granted, it's listed as satire, but world building should have been introduced to readers earlier to give them a sense of setting. A lot of times, the story felt more corny than humorous....more
I have mixed feelings about this book. The early part of the story had a slow buildup; plus, the first chapters were deceptive, making me feel like thI have mixed feelings about this book. The early part of the story had a slow buildup; plus, the first chapters were deceptive, making me feel like the direction of the story would be that of the boy escaping the SS. It wasn't, and thereafter, the boy only was a means to an end. About a third of the way, the story picked up, but still lacked intensity. Harry went to Germany with a plan, but he did little to implement it. It would have been better if readers could have least have seen him wondering what he was going to do, and making attempts to achieve his goal. It wasn't until near the end of the book that the story exploded into something more exciting. But, the ending is good enough that it makes the overall story worth reading....more
Non-believers, beware. You'll get a dose of fun, sometimes a bit scary, paranormal activity from this book as Kimberly and her team set out to send a Non-believers, beware. You'll get a dose of fun, sometimes a bit scary, paranormal activity from this book as Kimberly and her team set out to send a ghost cat to cat heaven. Sterling, however, is determined to debunk all their beliefs. The story gives you an idea of what ghost-busters do: the equipment, the techniques. I wanted to slap Sterling a few times as he annoyed me with his absolute refusal to believe. A fun-filled adventure....more
I quite enjoyed this story: good writing and character development. It was easy to have opinions about the characters, whether good or bad. The informI quite enjoyed this story: good writing and character development. It was easy to have opinions about the characters, whether good or bad. The information about the different angels/demons added depth to the story. The only thing that felt off was the romance part. Yes, this book is listed as a romance, but it felt more like an action story. Normally, with romance, the plot focuses on the romance; here the romance just tended to slow the unfolding story down, and I skimmed over most of it to get back to the action....more
Overall good story, with lots of great action. The writing was good. I did have some issues with the beginning, though. The thriller parts were great,Overall good story, with lots of great action. The writing was good. I did have some issues with the beginning, though. The thriller parts were great, but mixing it with the school scenes was distracting, as if I was reading two different books for two different audiences. Tess at school felt more like a YA novel and I tired quickly of her whining. The story does leave some things unresolved that will probably unfold in future novels....more
This is a book that kept my interest from start to finish. There's plenty that can go wrong for Maggie when she travels in South America as part of anThis is a book that kept my interest from start to finish. There's plenty that can go wrong for Maggie when she travels in South America as part of an operation set out to arrest government officials set on destroying the rain forests so they can pump out oil. I especially liked the various aspects of South American life that peppered the story. Plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader flipping pages....more
Cute story with some funny and sad moments, but it didn't feel like it was going anywhere. Too many places with the scenes dragged and repeated informCute story with some funny and sad moments, but it didn't feel like it was going anywhere. Too many places with the scenes dragged and repeated information....more
There are a lot of topics in this book that, unfortunately, many teens can relate to: divorce, absentee parent, bullying. They seem to be portrayed inThere are a lot of topics in this book that, unfortunately, many teens can relate to: divorce, absentee parent, bullying. They seem to be portrayed in a realistic manner. My major complaint is that the pacing varies from the first part of the story as compared to the last. The first part focuses on the thwarted "abduction" and the consequences for a 15 year old girl because of her actions regarding it. Too much time was spent on the TV interview, from various points of view. Once the story delves into more of the "thriller" aspect, it speeds along. And the father's reason for leaving? Yah, I figured that was why. It seems that is commonly used when not wanting to make one of the parents seem too "bad." But, overall, I applaud the author for bringing the issues to light in a way that teens can relate to....more
A quirky murder mystery. The story is well-written and funny, but at times, I wondered where it was going. The whole religious experience had no relevA quirky murder mystery. The story is well-written and funny, but at times, I wondered where it was going. The whole religious experience had no relevance to the plot of Andy finding out how her ex-husband had died. As I got to the end, it seemed it was there only so the author could compare comedy to religion. The religious (and political) digs only detracted from what could have been a better story....more
I didn't read the first two books in this series, but I was able to follow the story in this final book with no problem. However, I'm sure if I had reI didn't read the first two books in this series, but I was able to follow the story in this final book with no problem. However, I'm sure if I had read the previous two more things would have been clearer. Once I got to the point where I understood what the problem Lucas was trying to solve was, I was pretty certain I knew how the story would end (as I had seen a similar story line on TV once). This story has plenty of action and suspense. It's easy to differentiate the various version of Lucas. If you want to read something a bit different from the norm, this is your book....more
My first thought when reading this was that it was a story for children, one that would tell them funny adventures about cats. It does have a bit of tMy first thought when reading this was that it was a story for children, one that would tell them funny adventures about cats. It does have a bit of that, but it also has more depth, getting into the nature of animals (and possibly humans, as well). Whose way of life is right and whose is wrong? Do we have the right to change how others live? Is there a way for everyone to live in harmony when differences are in conflict with those of others? A couple of quotes from the book give a feel for what I think the author is trying to say:
“Maybe this is what happens when cats get too comfortable, too far removed from the natural order of things. They don’t understand why things have always been done a certain way, so they don’t see the need for it. The customary ways just aren’t important to them anymore.”
“What I don’t get is this insistence that everyone else make the same choices.”
A thought-provoking book, and well worth the read, even if you're not a cat-lover....more
I couldn't get interested in the story or characters for the first third of the novel. For one reason, Kass Kiolani had an overabundance of internal dI couldn't get interested in the story or characters for the first third of the novel. For one reason, Kass Kiolani had an overabundance of internal dialog. For another, the characters lacked the emotions I would expect for the situations they were involved in. Where I started to become interested was when Kass's half-brother, Kass Kiolani, was introduced. It was at this point that the story became more defined and interesting. A few other places after that dragged it down again with too much internal dialog. For readers who are strictly interested in the romance aspect of the story, these will probably not be issues. But, sci-fi fans may want to skim through parts....more
A unique take on a dystopian novel with the ghost-like creatures wreaking havoc on the world. The world itself is well-defined, and the characters areA unique take on a dystopian novel with the ghost-like creatures wreaking havoc on the world. The world itself is well-defined, and the characters are easy to distinguish from one another. The story is told from the perspectives of five different groups, all who have different roles in the society, but they come together to form a cohesive group both for the Proving, and also in the future. It kept me interested from start to finish.
One thing I found odd and was hoping would be explained (but it wasn't) was why each family in the selected Proving had a 13 year old and 18 year old. It was understandable that the 18 year olds who had done the previous proving together when they were 13 would be paired up again at 18. But that doesn't explain why each family happened to have siblings who were 5 years younger. Nothing wrong with that, but it seemed too much of a coincidence without having any sort of explanation....more
This story is longer than most romances. Even though it's instant attraction between Samantha and Wesley, love between them is something that slowly uThis story is longer than most romances. Even though it's instant attraction between Samantha and Wesley, love between them is something that slowly unfolds, with all the heartaches love found and lost can bring. It could have been shorter and had the same impact, but I enjoyed reading all about Sam's life and how it made her the woman she became....more
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