New York Times bestselling Romeo and/or Juliet is a choose your own adventure type of deal, a ridiculously entertaining take (or takes, since there arNew York Times bestselling Romeo and/or Juliet is a choose your own adventure type of deal, a ridiculously entertaining take (or takes, since there are plenty of them) on a classic that’s pretty ridiculous in and of itself. A classic it may be, but the word timeless doesn’t apply to this particular work, and the older I get, the more annoyed I am by Romeo and Juliet both.
Ryan North took the famous tale and explored its weaknesses, but he also added pretty much everything that crossed his mind, from ghosts and robots to naked, sword-wielding fathers. The best thing by far is that you make your own choices as you go, from the character you want to play to the path you want to take. I can’t begin to imagine the amount of work that was required to put this book together, but the effort paid off. From the very first page Romeo and/or Juliet is an exercise in hilarity.
If you choose to play as Romeo, prepare to be a lovesick teen obsessed with ridiculous poetry. As Juliet, you will be a ripped, self-obsessed girl interested in muscles and boys. Juliet is a bit of a pushover, always ready to do everything her mother tells her to, but you’re there to make things better and push her in more dangerous directions. It’s your game after all!
Some of the paths end quickly, always with painful and ridiculous deaths. On some of them Juliet and Romeo don’t even meet, and on some they meet but things go in strange directions. Sometimes the book pushes you to change characters, usually when one becomes boring or the other’s life seems more eventful. In any case, North addresses his players the entire time, not hiding the fact that he’s the one actually running the narrative.
Regardless of where you end up, you’ll jump right back to the beginning eagerly. I tried retracing my steps several times, but it didn’t always work. I got tangled up more times than I can count. The easiest thing to do is laugh until you cry at Romeo’s and/or Juliet’s misfortune and go right back to kill them again. Not all paths have tragic endings – there are a few possibilities for a happily ever after as well. After a time, though, you begin hoping for the other kind, mostly because they’re far more entertaining.
Romeo and/or Juliet is the weirdest, funniest book I’ve held in my hands in ages. Sometimes it gives the impression of trying too hard, but overall you’ll want to take this journey again and again until you discover them all. ...more
A Shadow Bright and Burning, Jessica Cluess’ debut novel, lures us in with a gorgeous cover, but easily keeps our attention with stupendous worldbuildA Shadow Bright and Burning, Jessica Cluess’ debut novel, lures us in with a gorgeous cover, but easily keeps our attention with stupendous worldbuilding and an abundance of witty charm. A trip to Victorian London, enriched by sorcery, ancient monsters and a grumpy hobgoblin, is precisely what I would recommend to all lovers of historical fantasy.
A Shadow starts quite explosively, and the pacing rarely allows us any reprieve. Our Henrietta is in constant danger, always afraid of being discovered and executed. As the only woman among the sorcerers she faces many challenges and constantly fights prejudice. She is attacked not only for her unusual abilities, but for the simple fact of being a woman in an exclusively men’s world.
For her worldbuilding, Cluess drew inspiration from many sides, but managed to assemble something fairly unique and captivating. Her world is truly the lifeblood of this story, outshining everything else, including the characters. Added to that, her ability to write witty, often laugh-out-loud funny dialogues makes it all run smoothly, and provides endless entertainment for us.
The romantic subplot drags the story down a bit, and I suspect this would have been a much better work without it. Henrietta has two romantic interests, her childhood best friend, unsuitable in every way, and a charming young sorcerer who takes few things seriously. Neither of them seems like a good choice for Nettie, and although our hearts want to root for Rook, her childhood friend, there is simply no chemistry between them. I have a feeling things may take an unwanted direction in the future, and I sincerely hope Cluess will realize that her story works better without the melodrama.
A Shadow is clearly the first in a series, but it ends with a hopeful note, allowing us to wait for the next book calmly, but eagerly. Romance aside, this is a wonderful and imaginative story with plenty to offer to younger and older readers alike.
With its intriguing title and gorgeous cover, Black Flowers, White Lies immediately draws our attention and promises to be a great paranormal story, aWith its intriguing title and gorgeous cover, Black Flowers, White Lies immediately draws our attention and promises to be a great paranormal story, a frightening psychological thriller and a thorough exploration of loss and grief, all rolled into one. It is a pretty tall order for a relatively small book, so feeling mildly disappointed in the end doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Black Flowers, White Lies could have been a much better work, but it fell a bit short in execution and characterization.
Ella’s mother is getting married in a few days, but Ella struggles to let go of her father. He died before she was born, but she’s been thinking about him and visiting his grave her entire life. Ella is convinced that her father watches her and protects her, even though no one else understands her obsession. As a ghost story, Black Flowers merely scratches the surface and doesn’t give us nearly enough to justify describing it as such. Ella’s father could really be watching over her, or it could just be a figment of her imagination. There aren’t any definitive answers, which leaves us to wonder why this particular plot line was introduced in the first place.
The book fares slightly better in the psychological thriller department, where it at least makes a half-decent effort. The psychological mystery is thought through and developed, albeit with several plot holes, but the conclusion we work towards never actually comes. The person who works against Ella is painfully obvious from the start, and even though the red herrings draw our attention for a minute or two, we never really wander all that far. The biggest problem, however, is sheer lack of characterization for the villain. We never quite understand the person’s motives, and, without a final confrontation, we are left with a whole string of violent, manipulative actions that make very little sense. Motives are crucial for a good psychological thriller and leaving us without answers pretty much guarantees disappointment.
Nevertheless, Black Flowers, White Lies shows some potential and leaves things open for a (hopefully more focused) sequel, which has yet to be announced.
The Women in the Walls is a mildly disappointing sophomore novel by Amy Lukavics, author of Daughters Unto Devils. It delivers all the things one expeThe Women in the Walls is a mildly disappointing sophomore novel by Amy Lukavics, author of Daughters Unto Devils. It delivers all the things one expects from such a read – the deep atmosphere, the chilling moments, the compelling paranormal mystery – but it proves lacking in terms of substance, characterization or any real depth of emotion.
When Lucy’s beloved aunt goes missing, strange things start happening in her house. The cook commits suicide, her cousin Margaret is talking to walls, and her aloof father lies about reporting her aunt missing to the authorities. Lucy herself is struggling to come to terms with her aunt’s disappearance. Prone to self-harm since she was a kid, she constantly fights the desire to hurt herself to the point of leaving scars.
As a protagonist, Lucy inspires neither confidence nor affection. In fact, her personality is very difficult to pinpoint or describe. She always appears too whiny, forever on the verge of tears, and her lack of action and her cowardice are enough to annoy and disappoint even the most patient reader. Mostly we are told things about her, but never shown enough to believe. We are told that she often feels awful enough to cut herself deeply, but those feelings never reach us. We are told that she and Margaret are best friends, but their bond never manifests. If anything, it’s clear that Margaret barely tolerates Lucy and that jealously long ago destroyed any real connection the girls might have had.
It needs to be said that Lukavics does an excellent job scaring the living daylights out of us. Her writing is very evocative when it needs to be and she is capable of provoking real fear and disgust. In terms of pacing, however, she leaves us with too many problems to count. Things happen at the beginning and at the very end. The whole middle part of the book seems like a filler we could have done without. The revelations, such as they are, all happen in the final pages. Unfortunately by that point, we are mostly uninterested in Lucy or her fate.
The novel’s contemporary setting is also quite confusing. The (admittedly odd) values of Lucy’s family, their behavior and their way of life, all seem to belong to a historical setting, perhaps early 20th century. The bits of contemporary life that were thrown in haphazardly were somewhat jarring.
The Women in the Walls leaves us with a somewhat bland taste in our mouths, made more tolerable by Lukavics’ potential, which can be read as a promise of better things to come. With some work on characterization and pacing, her next novel, The Ravenous, might turn out to be a much better read. ...more
The first thing you need to know if and when you decide to read Revenge and the Wild is that it will be the most fun you’ll have in ages. Ent4.5 stars
The first thing you need to know if and when you decide to read Revenge and the Wild is that it will be the most fun you’ll have in ages. Entertainment is pretty much guaranteed, regardless of your usual reading preferences. For a book that refuses to be labeled or in any way categorized, Revenge and the Wild is pretty universally lovable. I challenge you to be grumpy while reading it.
The second thing you need to know if you’re a curious sort of person is that you need to throw your expectations right out the window. With a 16-year-old one-armed alcoholic for a heroine, you’ll certainly be in for a few surprises. And when I say alcoholic, I don’t just mean a drink here and there at parties – I really mean nasty, belching drunk prone to fits of rage and unseemly behavior.
For all the entertainment it provides, Revenge and the Wild offers a surprisingly deep characterization and great emotional moments. Westie was left alone as a child when her family (and her arm) were eaten by cannibals. She was saved and adopted by a famous inventor, who created a mechanical arm for her and raised her as his own. Westie has never given up on finding the cannibals who killed her parents so when they show up in her small, protected town pretending to be rich and civilized, it’s a pretty big challenge for her family and her addictive personality.
Revenge and the Wild is a fantastic blend of paranormal steampunk with elements of horror. There’s something in it for everyone, and yet it doesn’t seem crowded and it works surprisingly well. Modesto pulled out all the stops with her worldbuilding by creating a colorful setting that can be enjoyed from the very first page. The only thing missing were dragons, everything else was already there. She did the same with romance, which seemed honest from the start, despite many roadblocks. I love romances that develop from years of friendship, especially those that are a bit weird and quirky on top of that. Westie and Alistair seemed perfect for each other from the start.
Overall, Revenge and the Wild is quite a surprise and perhaps not entirely suitable for readers with delicate sensibilities. Since I most certainly am not one of those (the nastier the better, as far as I’m concerned), I’ll be keeping my eye on Michelle Modesto, hoping to get another one of her wonderfully wicked adventures very soon.
I’ve loved (loved!) John Corey Whaley ever since he published his first novel, Where Things Come Back, before all the awards and accolades that are noI’ve loved (loved!) John Corey Whaley ever since he published his first novel, Where Things Come Back, before all the awards and accolades that are now attached to his name. As a National Book Award finalist, winner of William C. Morris award for his debut and Michael L. Printz gold medalist for his sophomore novel, Whaley needs no more official confirmations of quality for his work. It’s becoming quite clear that he is extraordinary.
Highly Illogical Behavior seems lighter than Whaley’s previous work. It’s very approachable and easy to read. The lightness, however, is merely superficial. This is a novel that can be discovered one layer at a time. It’s a deceptively simple story that’s actually quite complex underneath, making us feel as though it could read it over and over and discover something new each time.
Solomon Reed is agoraphobic. He doesn’t leave the house and doesn’t really communicate with people outside his family. He realizes he’s a burden to his parents, but he simply can’t face the world outside. His house is safe, and the safe environment keeps his panic attacks at a minimum. When Lisa shows up with her understanding and friendliness (and her hidden motives), Solomon is terrified, but ready to let her in. As difficult as it is to allow Lisa into his life, Clark challenges him in whole new ways, making him see that the world can be even more dangerous than he thought, but that it also has so much to offer.
Whaley does a fabulous job in bringing us close to our three characters. Although their story is told from just two perspectives, the three of them are equally important. Paradoxically, the one who is being fixed isn’t the one who needs fixing the most. For all his troubles and phobias, Solomon has a loving family, a stable home and a very firm sense of self. Perhaps Lisa is the one who needs interventions even though she is initially the only one who seems to have it all together. Despite her ambition (or perhaps because of it), she is in many ways far less steady than she appears to be.
This author excels at gentleness and subtleties – there is no need for big sentences, dramatic solutions or grand gestures. He understands that life is in the small things and that there are no definitive solutions. There can be hints of hope, possibilities and changes in circumstances, but life offers no easy fixes for any of us.
This is a quiet, gorgeous little book that seems simple at first, but leaves you deep in thought and profoundly happy to have read it. This young author has already achieved so much, and we still have so much to look forward to. ...more
Girl Mans Up, M-E Girard’s astonishingly honest book, might just be one of the best things that happened to YA fiction in a very, very long t4.5 stars
Girl Mans Up, M-E Girard’s astonishingly honest book, might just be one of the best things that happened to YA fiction in a very, very long time. There have been books about gay, lesbian and trans teens, but I don’t think there are many, and certainly not this good, about genderqueer characters. Written with a light hand and breathtaking emotion, Girl Mans Up shows us how damaging traditional gender roles can be.
Pen doesn’t quite meet the expectations of her traditional family or the teachers of her catholic school. She is a girl, but she is only comfortable with her hair short, her clothes loose and doing things that are traditionally viewed as “men’s work”. She doesn’t feel like a boy in girl’s skin, she is quite comfortable with who she is, but the people around her, her parents included, are making her life a lot harder than it needs to be.
Then I realized I don’t have to be trans to still confuse people with the way I look. I had my hair then. Now, there’s nothing left that makes me a girl, except for the fact that I am one.
The best thing about Pen is that she is quite comfortable in her own skin. She has no doubts about her identity, gender or otherwise. Her problems come from the discrepancy between who she is and how the society sees her. She doesn’t fit into any of the expected roles, therefore she needs to be cast out, changed or made to fit some stereotype, at least.
During the course of this book, Pen deals with everything from whispers and gossip to outright bullying. She finds very little true acceptance for who she is, but she does find it in her brother Johnny, her girlfriend Blake and several new friends. Pen’s relationship with her older brother Johnny is a true thing of beauty. At one point, she calls him her friend, her brother, her parent, and he really is all those things. He is pure acceptance, the epitome of unconditional love with plenty of patience and a few flaws that merely make him more real.
There is also a very healthy relationship between two girls that has a supporting role and changes things for Pen. Blake’s only dated boys before falling for Pen, but she is attracted to Pen exactly for who she is. Several friendships are born in this book and several others die in flames. All of them, as well as Pen’s thoughts om them, come across as genuine, realistic slices of teenage existence.
I don’t want to be her girlfriend, though. But there’s this part of me that totally knows I could be her boyfriend. I don’t want her to think of me as a boy, or a boy substitute, though. I want to be a boyfriend who is a girl. I have no idea how to explain that stuff to anyone, let alone a girl I like. I just wish it was already understood.
This book should be required reading in every high school, not only because of Pen’s gender identity and the society’s acceptance, but also because of the healthy lesbian relationship, wonderful friendships, and the example of a non-traditional, supportive family. ...more
Apprentice in Death, the 43rd installment in Nora Roberts’ wildly successful In Death series, won’t leave a single fan disappointed. By now, we’ve leaApprentice in Death, the 43rd installment in Nora Roberts’ wildly successful In Death series, won’t leave a single fan disappointed. By now, we’ve learned to expect only the best from this series and only the best is precisely what we always get. When a series has been successful for over 20 years, every new installment is pretty much a safe bet.
In Apprentice in Death, Eve hunts a LDSK (long-distance serial killer) – a laser sniper killing from a distance. The victims seem like random choices, but Eve senses a deeper motive in the killings. She quickly familiarizes herself with weapons and tactics while also assessing the targets and doing what she does best – entering the minds of killers. Eve has an uncanny ability to connect with killers, and she uses it rather well. Every now and then, Robb allows just a touch of paranormal into the series and it’s becoming quite obvious that there’s something supernatural to Eve’s talents. She sees murders unfold with little evidence and she can put herself completely in any killer’s place and fully understand their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
While the killings aren’t as bloody and messy as they sometimes can be, the killer is one of the worst in the series, difficult to accept and process. Their identity isn’t difficult for Eve to discover, but catching them with minimal loss of life is a whole different matter. Once again Eve has to be smarter, faster and more intuitive to outwit and capture a danger to her beloved city.
The frenzied hunt leaves little room for personal things, not only between Eve and Roarke, but also between Eve and her friends. I missed seeing her interact a bit more with people like Mr. Mira, Mavis or Leonardo, but Robb gave us just enough with Bella’s birthday celebration to keep us satisfied.
Each new release by J.D. Robb is considered a holiday in my house, and probably thousands of other homes around the world. Today is that day, my friends. Join the horde, grab a copy and enjoy.
Mary Calmes is my go-to authors for passionate, rewarding romances with very little difficulty or angst and a guaranteed happily ever after. Her charaMary Calmes is my go-to authors for passionate, rewarding romances with very little difficulty or angst and a guaranteed happily ever after. Her characters tend to be similar and her relationships are always deeply romantic and just a bit desperate, but the growly alphas and heroes everyone seems to love somehow work better for her than for anyone else.
Like the two previous books, Tied Up in Knots is told solely from Miro’s point of view. This is very typical for Mary Calmes and it works best for her. I can’t imagine her doing a dual point of view nor would I want that last bit of mystery in her love interests revealed. Miro’s voice is one we’re very comfortable with, and the familiarity becomes very comforting once he starts to unravel.
There is no doubt that Miro and Ian belong together, on or off work. As partners on the job, they understand each other without words and fit perfectly together. As partners in life, they trust each other implicitly and love with no boundaries. But life keeps getting in the way of Miro’s desires – having Ian with him always (instead of him being called to save the world as a Green Beret) is quickly becoming more than just a wish- it’s a desperate desire.
For his part, Ian wants to be with Miro and he wants them to marry, but his identity is so deeply entangled with being in Special Forces that he can’t imagine giving it up. The more he notices the consequences of his deployments, the more he feels pressured to give up this essential part of his personality. As usual, the two fight loud and dirty and make up much in the same way. Calmes succeeds in taking us alongside them through all those turbulent emotions.
Desperate love and frenzied characters are practically Calmes’ trademarks. We see Miro at his worst in Tied Up in Knots – hyperactive, sleepless and angry. There is a distance between him and Ian that was never there before, making us worry that this time, even desperate, destined love might not be enough.
Regarding the plot, I felt that too many unconnected things were happening at once. This was perhaps a result of Miro’s state of mind, but it was confusing nevertheless. Still, I love Mary Calmes even when she herself is not at her best, and this series remains one of my favorite comfort rereads.
Cate Ashwood’s writing has been very dear to my heart ever since her Hope Cove series first came out. I’ve read most of her books since then and enjoyCate Ashwood’s writing has been very dear to my heart ever since her Hope Cove series first came out. I’ve read most of her books since then and enjoyed them all, but this series by far surpasses all her previous work. Zero Hour is a compelling blend of mystery and romance and one of those series I plan on rereading whenever the mood strikes.
A Forced Silence, the first book in this series, told the story of Adam and Sam. The two of them found each other again right in the middle of a murder investigation and they rediscovered their feelings slowly, all the while trying to solve multiple murders. While they did find a culprit eventually, the ending made it clear that there are more people involved and that there will be more books to come.
A Fallen Heart shifts focus to Ford and Nash. Ford is an ER nurse and Nash a paramedic. Unlike Sam and Adam, they don’t share a mutual past. They’ve only just met, under less than stellar circumstances. Ford just ended an abusive relationship and is still recovering both body and soul. His confidence is shaken thoroughly and he’s finding it hard to trust that Nash might be there to stay. Nash is a far simpler guy, but nuanced nevertheless. He is steady and loyal to a fault, which is precisely what Ford needs.
The two get tangled in the ongoing mystery as Nash responds to an emergency call and finds a hurt and abused young boy, the first one who survived our serial killers. Ford gets unusually attached to the boy and supports him throughout his stay in the hospital. As the mystery untangles and more victims start surfacing, both Ford and Nash are determined to protect the boy and themselves.
I admire Ashwood for always finding ways to keep her stories original and fresh. There isn’t very much that hasn’t been done in romance, but she weaves her story in a way that constantly surprises and thrills. There is a lot of love and a whole lot of heartbreak in A Fallen Heart. Ford especially has to go through so much before he can retake control of his life.
The ending once again made it clear that more is yet to come. We might get a new couple in the next book, but the mystery remains very much alive. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to find out who is mutilating and killing those boys, but I’m sure Ashwood will make it worth our while. This is a series I’d highly recommend to both romance and mystery fans.
4.5 stars Like a River Glorious, Rae Carson’s fifth novel and the second book in her Gold Seer trilogy, cements her status as one of the best, most rel4.5 stars Like a River Glorious, Rae Carson’s fifth novel and the second book in her Gold Seer trilogy, cements her status as one of the best, most reliable authors of YA fiction. Her long string of literary successes without a single glitch shows us that we can indeed trust an author to always deliver and constantly stay at the top of her game.
Walk on Earth a Stranger left Lee and her friends finally in California, trying to find a good settlement and put down roots. The losses they’d suffered along the way left an indelible mark on all of them. Some are strong enough to recover, and some decide that safety is more valuable than any amount of gold. Those who remain, Lee and Jefferson among them, are a tight-knit group, practically a family, and only the danger caused by Lee’s powers has the ability to tear them apart.
As a non-American, I didn’t know much about the fate of Native Americans during California Gold Rush. The abhorrent treatment shown in this book might be a bit exaggerated, but likely not by much. Lee has to face a very ugly reality in her uncle’s mine, both towards Native American and the Chinese. With Jeff and Tom by her side, she has to move past sympathizing and come up with a way to save not only herself, but all those slaves as well.
Leah’s witchy ability to sense gold is explored more and constantly developed in this book. She grows along with it and becomes braver and more open about what she can do. It’s a dangerous secret, but Lee and Jefferson finally have a large family to share it with, people they can trust to always have their backs, even when the risk is too great for them all.
Henry and Tom, two of our “confirmed bachelors”, play a more important role in this book. Their relationship could be considered queerbaiting if not for the historical context. As it is, theirs is a kind of don’t ask, don’t tell situation, but I’m hoping for a more open approach in the final book, at least among the folks in Glory. If they can handle a witchy girl who can sense gold, they can surely handle two gay men being a bit less discreet about their relationship.
The book has a brilliant, well-rounded ending that could be quite enough for most readers, even without the final part of the trilogy. Knowing a third book is coming makes me equal parts excited and afraid for Lee and her people at Glory, California. Apparently there’s still a difficult road ahead of her and with the way things are going, the final part might just be the best of them all.
By now, Renae Kaye is a well known name in the gay romance genre. She writes light-hearted romances low on angst that leave her readers smiling and beBy now, Renae Kaye is a well known name in the gay romance genre. She writes light-hearted romances low on angst that leave her readers smiling and begging for more. To this day, her biggest success seems to be her debut, Loving Jay, a book that won readers over with fantastic characters, gentle and believable romance and just a spoonful of Aussie culture.
When you love characters as much as we’ve all loved Liam and Jay, it’s natural to want to check in with them down the road, peek into the life they’ve made for themselves and hopefully witness them making more decisions and crossing milestones. It can be addictive if you love them enough, but it can also be dangerous for the characters born in their shadow.
Unlike Jay, who was the brightest star from the get-go, Kee takes some warming up and a whole lot of understanding. Having spent a year in solitude after an abusive relationship, he is a bit socially awkward and not really ready to trust. Tate is more outgoing, but set in his ways. He is devoted to his career and suffers from issues that come with a job in fashion industry. The two are such an unlikely pair, but somehow they work, and in Kaye’s usual fashion, their romance progresses smoothly, with only a few bumps along the way.
Their romance would have been pleasant enough were it not for Jay and Liam’s overwhelming presence. They shine brightly even in this book and they steal every chapter in which they are mentioned. I’m sure fans won’t be able to resist revisiting them, but an update on their life is the best thing this book has to offer. Kee and Tate had potential, but they weren’t explored enough or strong enough to get out of Jay’s massive shadow.
Overall, though, this is a very pleasant, sometimes adorable book that has several laugh-out-loud moments. Just try reading it on the beach and see where that gets you. It’s no wonder my neighbors look at me funny.
Janet Evanovich is my go-to author for a funny, relaxing reading experience. I’ve been known to laugh like a lunatic while reading one of her books, sJanet Evanovich is my go-to author for a funny, relaxing reading experience. I’ve been known to laugh like a lunatic while reading one of her books, sometimes loudly, and sometimes even in public (which I suppose explains my lack of social life). Her books are often plotted and executed like episodes of Looney Tunes, some more than others. Curious Minds follows the nonsensical path when it comes to character interactions, and sometimes even the plot. It’s precisely what one might expect from Evanovich, which unfortunately makes it a story we’ve all read before.
After only a day on her new job as junior analyst at Blane-Grunwald, Riley is sent to appease the multimillionaire Emerson Knight, who suddenly wants to see his gold in the company’s vault. Instead of diverting him from his course, Riley gets tangled in his plan to uncover a massive conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of the US government. She gets dragged along from one insane plan to the next and she does very little but follow Emerson’s insane instructions. The seemingly endless dialogue between them is sometimes funny, but sometimes seems a bit forced.
Riley Moon is just like every other Evanovich’s heroine. In fact, I often couldn’t differentiate between her and Lizzy from the Lizzy & Diesel series. Aside from the few superficial things like education and profession, they really acted like one and the same. Emerson and Diesel also share many similarities, mostly in behavior. They come up with hare-brained schemes and plans that work only because they miraculously seem to be a step ahead of everyone else. They are both eccentric, charming and they own strange animals, including monkeys. Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton co-authored the third Lizzy & Diesel book, and then they co-authored this, so some similarities were to be expected. Still, these characters were carbon-copies of each other and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was reading yet another Wicked book, minus the paranormal element.
Like with the Lizzy & Diesel series, we’ll likely be teased about the romance for at least two more books. There is some light tension between Riley and Emerson and a whole lot of teasing, but nothing actually happens, and I doubt anything will. It’s fairly standard for Evanovich and Sutton, and I suppose I’m a bit tired of it. Nevertheless, readers who are new to their books will find plenty to love in Curious Minds. For them, it will be fresh and hilariously funny, and the characters will be endlessly entertaining. Older readers might find themselves struggling through several parts, but then again, maybe that’s just me.
Cat Winters’ books are always such things of beauty, and The Steep and Thorny Way is no exception. The quality of her prose and the depth of her reseaCat Winters’ books are always such things of beauty, and The Steep and Thorny Way is no exception. The quality of her prose and the depth of her research can only be compared to Ruta Sepetys, at least as far as historical YA goes.
Inspired heavily by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Steep and Thorny Way is a strong enough book to stand entirely on its own and avoid any predictability. While she does use Hamlet’s themes in what could be considered a retelling (the death of protagonist’s father, potential murderer married to mother, plans of revenge), Winters doesn’t rely too heavily on them and constantly adds her own little twists.
The book starts with dramatis personae, there to remind us right away that The Steep and Thorny way is connected to another work. The mystery of Hank Denney’s death is at the forefront from the very beginning. Hanalee’s father was black and her mother is white, their marriage unrecognized in the state of Oregon in 1923. Hanalee mourns her father and dislikes her stepfather, the white town doctor who married her mother the second it could be considered appropriate.
The Ku Klux Klan was strong in Oregon at that time and Hanalee would undoubtedly have been a target. Racial injustice was far stronger in these rural environments than in places like Washington. The Klan was semi-public, seemingly an anti-Christian organization, but really anti everything that wasn’t white and male. Like with her previous books, Winters found a way to shed light on a historical subject, but also to connect problems of that time with issues we still struggle with today. Racism isn’t the only thing our Hanalee struggles with. As a biracial young woman with ambitions, she dreams about becoming a lawyer and marrying whomever she chooses, which seems to be out of her reach.
Through the preacher’s son, a young man accused of Hank’s murder, Winters also sheds light on LGBT issues of that time. Joe was possibly the only person who suffered more injustice than Hanalee, at least once he was discovered kissing a boy in his father’s car. Although his problems aren’t anything new, seeing him through Hanalee’s eyes certainly was. Her initial disgust was rooted in ignorance, and her change of views that came after talking to him and really thinking about him was wonderful.
It could be said that Winters tried to do just a bit too much this time. She is known for adding paranormal elements to her work, and a retelling of Hamlet certainly requires a restless ghost or two, but I sometimes felt that it could have been a stronger book without it. With the Ku Klux Klan and the LGBT themes so strong, there was enough going on even without the paranormal mystery. Nevertheless, a copy of this book needs to be in every house and read by every teenager. There is so much to learn through a connection with these characters.
When accomplished authors dare to step out of their comfort zone and try something completely different, the results can vary. Sometimes we get a bookWhen accomplished authors dare to step out of their comfort zone and try something completely different, the results can vary. Sometimes we get a book that isn’t quite up to standard and they quickly jump back to doing what they know. But sometimes we get such wonderful results, books that push boundaries for both authors and readers.
Adulting 101 is one such step into the unknown for Lisa Henry, who tends to write very serious, angst-filled books. It’s a new adult novel about 18-year-old Nick, who’s getting ready for college and suffering some serious panic attacks in the process. Nick has no idea what he wants to do with his life and he’s in no rush to figure it out. He really doesn’t feel like much of an adult. When Jai shows up in his life, slightly older, quiet and hotness personified, Nick immediately starts writing hilarious sonnets about his butt, and other body parts.
Jai too is a very interesting character, though far more reserved than Nick. He comes home for about three months each year to work and save and spends the remaining nine months traveling all over the world. Meeting Nick and getting tangled in his nervous breakdowns isn’t on the agenda, but the younger man is just a bit too hard to resist.
The best thing about this book wasn’t the romance, or Nick’s adulting itself. It was actually his friendship with Devon, a completely relaxed and non-judgmental straight boy. It was so wonderful to read about this guy who isn’t afraid to cuddle with his gay best friend, or sleep in the same bed, and do it freely and openly. It’s a true brotherhood the likes of which we rarely see.
Although I admire Henry for writing realistically about the romance of an 18-year-old, I would have preferred a more promising, decisive ending. I do love my happily-ever-afters, and happy-for-now just doesn’t cut it, not matter how realistic it may be. Perhaps we can hope for a sequel somewhere down the road, but as it is, the less than satisfactory ending ruined this funny, amazing book just a tiny bit. Still, it’s a great choice for when you want sympathetic characters and more than a few laughs.
Furthermore, Tahereh Mafi’s first (and hopefully not last) foray into middle grade fiction is a colorful exploration of what it means to be different Furthermore, Tahereh Mafi’s first (and hopefully not last) foray into middle grade fiction is a colorful exploration of what it means to be different in a society with set rules and expectations. In a style reminiscent of beloved childhood classics, Mafi weaves a tale of a girl’s quest for her father and for self-discovery.
Alice Alexis Queensmeadow was born with no pigment whatsoever: her skin is white, her hair is white, and only her eyes have the faintest trace of color. Alice would be a bit strange just about anywhere, but in Ferenwood, a land built on color, she is considered ugly and dim. With a mother that hardly cares and two younger siblings, Alice depends on her father for love and comfort. When her father disappears for almost three years, Alice is crushed and ready to do anything to bring him home, even follow a lying boy into the unknown. With her nemesis Oliver as her guide, Alice embarks on a journey that will cost her a great deal (even a few limbs) and hopefully lead her to her father.
Furthermore is a rich world filled with things beyond your wildest imagination. Mafi allowed herself to dream and play, bringing to life things like paper foxes and emergency rulers. If you can imagine the most colorful world with no limits, you’re getting close to Furthermore. We as readers quickly become desperate to explore every corner, every nook and cranny of this magical place.
Mafi’s writing is completely liberated and whimsical, freed from confines and expectations. She is a writing chameleon with a fantastic ability to adapt her writing style to her themes and narrative voices. Furthermore is told by a third person omniscient narrator who often addresses us directly, which also serves to remind us of timeless children’s classics.
I suspect that some adults might have trouble with Tahereh’s style, as was the case with her YA trilogy, but I myself was always a fan of her writing and I’m still very much in awe of her skill. I read parts of Furthermore aloud to my 9-year-old and she laughed and wondered at its beauty.
With Furthermore, each new page is a wonderful adventure and they all combine into a reading experience you won’t soon forget. As much as I’d like to read a new young adult book from Tahereh, I hope she won’t stop writing middle grade.
3.5 stars Is it possible to enjoy a psychological thriller even if you guess the mystery in the prologue? Being well written but somewhat predictable, 3.5 stars Is it possible to enjoy a psychological thriller even if you guess the mystery in the prologue? Being well written but somewhat predictable, We’ll Never be Apart by Emiko Jean brings forth this dilemma I struggled to resolve before deciding whether to recommend the book. On the one side, the plot Jean crafted is largely dependent upon the big reveal in the last few chapters, a mystery that can be guessed on the very first pages. On the other side, though, the book has plenty going for it along the way, and Emiko Jean’s writing style itself is enough to make this worth our while.
Alice and Cellie have a very unusual, co-dependent relationship, even for twins. They adore each other, but Cellie doesn’t allow anyone to get too close to Alice or she becomes extremely violent. Both sisters are obviously troubled, but Alice seems more vulnerable – until Cellie kills Alice’s boyfriend Jason in a fit of jealousy. We meet Alice in the days following the incident as she struggles to find her footing in a mental ward at Savage Isle. She misses Jason terribly and she’s desperate to find Cellie and exact revenge. Through her diary entries, we also learn more about the girls’ past, the history of Cellie’s behavior and Alice’s desire to protect her. The two have been inseparable their whole lives, through far too many foster homes and several abusive situations.
Subtle foreshadowing isn’t one of Emiko Jean’s strengths. Everything that was meant to be a small hint is actually a big neon sign in the reader’s face. It is virtually impossible not to guess the big mystery, but somehow, that doesn’t take away too much from the book’s appeal. The power of this book is in uncovering small details, understanding everyone’s motives and the depth or their madness. Despite her less than subtle approach, Emiko Jean writes well and she knows how to create a creepy atmosphere.
All things considered, We’ll Never Be Apart is a decent read, a good choice for readers who enjoy feeling unsettled. Despite being a bit predictable, it’s a good enough book to deserve a few hours of your time.
The thrilling, long-awaited sequel to An Ember in the Ashes is finally in our greedy little hands and it’s even better than we dared to hope. BeautifuThe thrilling, long-awaited sequel to An Ember in the Ashes is finally in our greedy little hands and it’s even better than we dared to hope. Beautifully written, emotionally exhausting, filled with pain and far too much heartbreak, A Torch Against the Night once again shows that Saba Tahir deserves all the praise she’s been getting for the past year or so. It is a bloody, painful and surprising work, a true challenge for readers and fans, but one that is worth every tear and all the hurt it causes.
The story is equally divided between Laia, Elias and Helene, but Helene easily steals the spotlight. Her character has become essential to this story and her insight invaluable to this bloody plot Sabaa Tahir weaves. With Laia and Elias on the run, Helene is our eyes and ears in the Empire. She is the one who shows us bloodbaths and genocide, the one who makes so many questionable choices along the way. But even when her actions are deplorable, we never forget that she’s a prisoner of her oaths and circumstances, a powerful captive, but a captive nonetheless. The Empire’s war against the Scholars has progressed to actual genocide under the Commander’s heartless rule and Helene, as Blood Shrike, is caught right in the middle of it.
The journey is no easier for Elias and Laia. We’ve come to expect hopeless situations in Tahir’s prose, but she pushes even that to extremes. Their quest to save Laia’s brother seems impossible and the losses they suffer along the way almost too difficult to bear. A Torch leaves no time to breathe, no time to heal between one heart-wrenching blow and the next.
Even with the somewhat slower beginning, which admittedly doesn’t last long, the quality of Tahir’s writing carries us right through it. The sheer elegance of her prose is unparalleled, the careful consideration put into every single word, every sentence heavy with strong emotions. A Torch is calmer, quieter, more subdued compared to the epic battles and intrigue that came before, but it’s also emotionally more taxing and infinitely more distressing. If you thought the Empire couldn’t be any crueler, wait until you see it under the new Emperor’s rule.
Readers who were unhappy about the romantic aspect of this story, the Gordian knot of emotions between Laia, Keenan, Elias and Helene, will be happy to know that it all gets more or less resolved by the end of this book. The love triangle is a bit more prominent, but for reasons other than torturing the readers. Tahir often takes us where we don’t want to go, where we haven’t even dreamed of going, but she does so because it serves her story, not because she enjoys torturing us. Or maybe it’s a bit of both…
Two more books were recently announced to thousands of delighted (and terrified) fans. Tahir has already taught us to fear her and what she might do. I doubt it will get any easier – or more enchanting – from here on out, and I honestly can’t wait to find out. It’s difficult to fully explain the emotional impact of this book without revealing spoilers, which is why I invite all of you to private fangirling sessions the second you read this.
The Last Days of Jack Sparks is an original, genre-bending, terrifying new novel by Jason Arnopp, a book that defies descriptions and explanations. ItThe Last Days of Jack Sparks is an original, genre-bending, terrifying new novel by Jason Arnopp, a book that defies descriptions and explanations. It follows a very unlikeable journalist and writer as he tries to prove that there’s no such thing as ghost, or any other supernatural entity. Jack sees it as his mission to debunk any claims of supernatural encounters and he’s often very rude as he goes about it.
Jack himself, however, is not to be trusted. With titles like Jack Sparks on Gangs and Jack Sparks on Drugs (which earned him a long stint in rehab for cocaine addiction), he is a social media darling and willing to do just about anything to stay in the spotlight. Lately he’s been planning a book called Jack Sparks on the Supernatural and writing a list of hypotheses on paranormal phenomena, his so called SPOOKS list, which stands for Sparks’ Permanently Ongoing Overview of Kooky Shit, and he’s rather vocal about it.
In no uncertain terms, Jack Sparks is an egotistical, power-hungry, emotionally stunted jerk. He has feelings for his roommate and best friend Bex, but he’d rather die than do something about it. He is estranged from his family and infinitely rude to his brother. Like all the best anti-heroes, however, he becomes likeable along the way and we can’t help but root for him as he struggles through curses, haunting and his own denial.
We see Jack not only through his unfinished book, but through other people’s eyes as well. A prologue and epilogue written by his brother Alistair, various emails from friends and business contacts and different accounts of certain events all show that Jack’s version of events simply cannot be trusted. As he slides down into strange behavior and lots and lots of alcohol, the two versions of any event described become more and more distant.
Early in the book, his and ours both, Jack Sparks writes: “None of this is remotely unnerving, scary or – most importantly – convincing. My jeans remain unsoiled. My heebies are jeebie-less. There are no willies up me.” The feeling (or lack of it) doesn’t last long, however. Not long after, a video appears on Jack’s YouTube channel, a video he himself most certainly did not post, and the most terrifying time of Jack’s life begins.
Trust me when I tell you, this book will not allow you to sleep. Firstly, you’ll feel compelled to turn those pages until you learn the truth behind Jack’s ramblings. And secondly, even when you do, you’ll be much too frightened to turn down the lights and just sleep. This book offers it all: laughs, excellent plot and nail-biting excitement. I highly recommend it to all horror fans and for those who are looking for something strange and original to read.
Fish Out of Water is the very first mystery penned by Amy Lane, a living legend of the M/M romance genre. Lane usually writes contemporary romance witFish Out of Water is the very first mystery penned by Amy Lane, a living legend of the M/M romance genre. Lane usually writes contemporary romance with the occasional forays into PNR, but her desire to branch out further was met with a lot of well deserved enthusiasm. As with everything else she does, Lane runs this story smoothly with seemingly no effort at all, her experience as a writer shining through despite her relative inexperience with mysteries themselves.
Amy Lane is known for her fully fleshed out, dynamic character. Lane is a student of human nature and she uses her vast knowledge to give us characters we will never forget. Nobody breaks them or fixes them quite like she does. Jackson Rivers is one of those – broken almost beyond repair, but honorable and principled as a rule. Jackson was betrayed by his birth mother, by the system and by the police force. Now a private investigator in a law firm, he trusts no one but his three best friends, two of which are also his foster family. The world doesn’t care about Jackson and Jackson doesn’t care about the world, but he would die in a second for his foster brother Kaden and his family.
As the second protagonist and Jackson’s love interest, Ellery doesn’t have such strong impact, but only because his past isn’t quite so traumatic. With his strength, determination and integrity, he is precisely what Jackson needs, even though the PI is reluctant to admit it. Ellery’s approach to life and love is simply amazing. He handles Jackson’s issues matter-of-factly, providing rock solid support and unflinching honesty.
The romance, however, is secondary. Lane has her characters busy uncovering corruption, being shot at, attacked at every turn and isolated on all sides. Despite being emotionally damaged, Jackson is fantastic at what he does, and Ellery’s quick thinking helps to move them forward. Lane planned this very thoroughly and competently, although I sensed some insecurity in the execution. Several times I had to go back to reread because explanations and discoveries tended to be confusing. Nevertheless, it’s a minor flaw in an overall successful novel that left me hungry for more of Amy Lane’s writing.
Although it hasn’t been announced just yet, Fish Out of Water is obviously the start of a new series. Several things were left unresolved and Lane wouldn’t just abandon us with all those loose threads to keep us awake at night. Whenever it comes, Jackson and Ellery’s new adventure will be a treat for the fans.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
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Books:
arc-2016
(60)
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