Latest Review: The Sea of Tranquility

Goodreads Summary:
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

My Thoughts:
I read this due to the review from Allison at The Allure of Books (who always has amazing, under-the-radar recommendations).  This book had me turning the pages feverishly right from the start and overall I really enjoyed The Sea of Tranquility. 

I loved the cast of characters in the novel and it had superb dual narration.  Not only were the main characters awesomely unique and empathetic, but there were some well-drawn secondary characters too (which is a super-rare quality in a book). Seriously, character-driven novels are pretty much my favorite.

My only gripe is that the drama rose to soap opera-ish levels (maybe that's why the author references General Hospital?).  Granted, some extremely disturbing and upsetting things happen- but towards the end it just all seemed to pile up.  It was just one crazy event on top of another to the point where I was feeling a little eye-rolly.  BUUUuut there are lots of books out there where IMHO the drama levels are too high and most other people LOVE them.

So, take my criticism with that in mind.  If you are sensitive to this sort of thing like I am (for example...most of the time love triangles bug me), then you may get annoyed at the latter part of the book but still like it despite that fact.  If not, I think you will be absolutely enamored with this unique love story.  Overall, no matter where you fall on the drama-dramz spectrum, this is definitely a book worth checking out!

4/5 stars

Disclosure: I received a copy for review via NetGalley. 

Review: A Girl Worth Ten Coppers

Goodreads Summary:
Seer, healer, goddess, slave–she is all these things and more.

Yim is a young woman suddenly cast into slavery, a gifted seer with a shocking secret–and a great destiny. Honus is a Sarf, a warrior dedicated to the service of the compassionate goddess Karm. A Sarf’s sole purpose is to serve a holy person called a Bearer. But Honus’ s Bearer has been killed by the minions of an evil god known only as the Devourer. Masterless and needing someone to bear his pack, Honus purchases Yim for the price of ten coppers–and their fates are forever entwined.

My thoughts:
Um, so lemme tell you guys something...I have seriously been spoiled by some awesome fantasy reading lately (Rothfuss, Carey, Nemisin, etc).  Thus, my fantasy expectations can be a bit high.  That being said, this was a really delightful start to a fantasy trilogy - helloo adventure, romance, and more! 

I enjoyed Yim's strength of character and that she was still able to harbor plenty of doubt without being annoying (I loathe it when characters doubt themselves at EVERY single point throughout a book).  I also really enjoyed the creepy, despondent setting of this world.  It was very vividly drawn which made the presence of evil felt through every point in the story. 

I originally happened upon this book from a recommendation from the lovely blog The Allure of Books - fantasy fans, you should definitely keep this blog on your radar!  Was this one of my top fave of all time fantasy books...well, no.  Buuut, was it a solid fantasy entry?  Absolutely.  In fact, I was inspired to go get the sequel from the library right away!

Bottom line:  If you're looking for a quick, fun, fantasy read - A Woman Worth Ten Coppers is just the ticket!

3.5/5 Stars

Latest Review: Scarlet

Goodreads Summary:
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

My Thoughts:
I've always loved the tale of Robin Hood - it was even my most favorite Disney flick.  So, when I heard there was this new re-telling with a fierce female character (and this amazing cover) I scrambled to get my hands on a copy.

While it was fun to relive some Robin and Little John exploits and it was neat to see how the author reinterpreted the characters, Scarlet just didn't live up to my expectations.  Now, it wasn't a bad book by any means but the "big plot twist" was quite obvious to me pretty early in the story.  Also, it really bugs me when main characters are super obtuse without a good reason for this character flaw.  Scarlet's inability to understand her relationships with others had me tearing my hair out and saying "it's so obvious!"  One final negative strike against the book - love triangle stuffs (I personally rarely like reading about them). 

Still, it was a fun book and certainly enjoyable if you go into it with moderate expectations (read: my overblown expectations had me doing a happy dance thinking this would be a fave of the year).  Also, perhaps some of the elements that bothered me wouldn't bother Scarlet's intended audience - younger readers.

3.5/5 stars

Latest Review: A Sight for Sore Eyes

Goodreads Summary:
A Sight for Sore Eyes tells three stories, and for the longest time, the reader has no inkling of how they will come together. The first is a story of a little girl who has been scolded and sent to her room when her mother is brutally murdered; as Francine grows up, she is haunted by the experience, and it is years before she even speaks. Secondly, we become privy to the life of a young man, Teddy, born of unthinking young parents, who grows up almost completely ignored. Free of societal mores, he becomes a sociopath, who eventually discovers that killing can be an effective way to get what he wants.  Thirdly, we meet Harriet, who from an early age has learned to use her beauty to make her way in the world. Bored by marriage to a wealthy, much older man, she scans the local newspapers for handymen to perform odd jobs around the house, including services in the bedroom.

When these three plots strands finally converge, the result is harrowing and unforgettable. A Sight for Sore Eyes is not just the work of a writer at the peak of her craft. It is an extraordinary story by a writer who, after 45 books, countless awards, and decades of international acclaim, is still getting better with every book.

My thoughts:
So, this is one of those wishy washy books...where you say to your friends "well, it wasn't good but it wasn't necessarily bad either."  Like that helps, right?  But honestly,  I just have lukewarm feelings about this book.

This was the latest choice for my book club as we've picked our way along EW's list of 100 new classics.  Since A Sight for Sore Eyes appeared on the list, you know that it is a critical darling (I just want to make you aware that my view of this book likely diverges from popular critical sentiment).  So, let me just break it down in a list of pros and cons for ya:

Good Aspects:

• Characterization - extremely realistic and fully fleshed out characters.
• Compelling - this book is easily readable, I finished it in two sittings!
• Multiple POVs done well - sometimes this can be annoying and can make a book feel choppy, not the case in A Sight for Sore Eyes.

Bad Aspects:

• Yucky characters - and by this I mean, I didn't like a single character in this book!  Actually, the one person who I had any small amount of sympathy for is a mass murderer!
• Bad categorization - this is shelved in the mystery section of the library and is indeed touted as a mystery...why?  There was no mystery to be solved so I'm really perplexed by its categorization.  This threw off my expectations for the book a bit (which made me a little miffed)!
• The ending - it's one of those that makes you go "ugh! really?!"  I can't say anything more without spoiling except to say that it kind of seemed like the easiest and cleanest conclusion for Rendell, not necessarily the best conclusion for the story (although I can't think up an alternative).
• Also, the Goodreads summary says the reader has "no inkling" of how the three storylines converge...um, not true.  I realized how these three would meet up quite easily, although there were other twists and turns to keep me on my toes.

Now that you see my thoughts in list form, can you understand why I call it wishy washy?  For those who love character-driven suspenseful literary fiction and don't mind a cast of truly despicable characters you'll probably like A Sight for Sore Eyes much more than I did.  Otherwise, I'd probably skip it unless you're low on new books to read.

3.5/5 stars

Latest Review: Ill Wind

Goodreads Summary:
Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life...

Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, she's racing hard to find him-before the bad weather closes in fast.

My thoughts:
I thought Ill Wind was a really absorbing page-turner.  I've never read a weather-related fantasy novel nor a book with genies (the "Djinn") before so the subject matter was quite fresh.  Yet, I wasn't very emotionally invested in the characters and some of the relationships in the book progressed too quickly for me.  In the end, it wasn't the best book I've read in recent memory but it was a fun novel (perfect for a fantasy beach read).  I've also heard that as the series progresses more depth is added to the characters.  So, I think I'll have Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series in the back of my mind for books to read by the pool this summer.  Recommended to urban fantasy fans!

3.5/5 stars

Other Reviews:
Curiosity Killed the Bookworm

Latest Review: Case Histories

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Goodreads Summary:
A triumphant new novel from award-winner Kate Atkinson: a breathtaking story of families divided, love lost and found, and the mysteries of fate.

As Private Detective Jackson Brodie investigates all three cases, startling connections and discoveries emerge. Inextricably caught up in his clients grief, joy, and desire, Jackson finds their unshakable need for resolution very much like his own. 

Kate Atkinson's celebrated talent makes for a novel that positively sparkles with surprise, comedy, tragedy, and constant, page-turning delight.

My thoughts:
I looove Jackson Brodie - what a wonderful protagonist!  If you are a reader who loves fully-fleshed out characters, you will really enjoy Mr. Brodie as well as the Land sisters.

The beginning of the book was a bit slow because it alternated between all of the different cases.  Finally, after the first 5 or so chapters it started to pique my interest and keep me engaged.  Still, I kept thinking to myself "how on earth are all of these mysteries going to get solved by the end of the book?"  But Atkinson manages to solve them all and the ending is full of twists!  I guessed one of the conclusions, but the others totally took me by surprise.

I had really high expectations for Case Histories and the novel didn't quite live up to them.  But, I still enjoyed the story and I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series to decide if I want to continue with the Jackson Brodie novels.

3.5/5 stars

 This fulfills my Crime/Mystery entry for the Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge!

Other Reviews:
The Avid Reader's Musings
Things Mean A Lot
Rhapsody in Books Weblog
 

Foodie Fiction Review: Like Water for Chocolate

Goodreads Summary:
Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit.

The number one bestseller in Mexico and America for almost two years, and subsequently a bestseller around the world, "Like Water For Chocolate" is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with moments of magic, graphic earthiness, bittersweet wit - and recipes.

A sumptuous feast of a novel, it relates the bizarre history of the all-female De La Garza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the house, has been forbidden to marry, condemned by Mexican tradition to look after her mother until she dies. But Tita falls in love with Pedro, and he is seduced by the magical food she cooks. In desperation, Pedro marries her sister Rosaura so that he can stay close to her. For the next twenty-two years, Tita and Pedro are forced to circle each other in unconsummated passion. Only a freakish chain of tragedies, bad luck and fate finally reunite them against all the odds.

My thoughts:
Overall, I think my expectations were a bit too high for this book and it didn't quite measure up.  That being said, I still really enjoyed it and some parts I downright adored!  I loved the fact that Tita's emotions came through in her cooking and manifested in those who ate her food (reminds me a bit of Garden Spells). However, some of the mystical elements were a bit too out there for me. The term "magical realism" is too tame for this novel - it is better described as more of a family myth.

Tita was an emotional and endearing protagonist so you can't help but cheer for her throughout the book.  She, Nacha and John are very loveable characters (although I happen to quite like the fiery Gertrudis as well); whereas, Rosaura and Mami are quite horrific villains.  I'm sure that the reader is supposed to like Pedro as well, but I just didn't care for him at all.  He seemed short-sighted, egocentric, and at times a bit bratty (I have no idea what Tita saw in him).

While I loved some of these characters...none of them were quite three-dimensional for me.  So, if you are strictly a character-driven reader, this book is probably not for you.  Recommended to fans of foodie fiction and to those who like magical elements in their reading.

3.5/5 stars....I think I have to come up with a new rating system.  The 5 star system doesn't accurately reflect my feelings towards Like Water for Chocolate.  Hmmm...I'll think on it.  Suggestions? 

Latest Review: The Rose Garden

Goodreads Summary:
When Eva's film star sister Katrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Cornwall, where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Katrina's ashes and in doing so return her to the place where she belongs. But Eva must also confront the ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Halletts, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. When Eva finally accepts that she is able to slip between centuries and see and talk to the inhabitants from hundreds of years ago, she soon finds herself falling for Daniel Butler, a man who lived - and died - long before she herself was born. Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realise that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards.

My thoughts:
If you're not in a critical mood and looking for a historical romance with an element of time travel (there seems to be lots of time-traveling historicals of late, no?) then this book will fit the bill.  However, some aspects of the book, for example the romance, were a bit far-fetched for me...although I guess I should expect that when there's time travel involved.  I think the main reason why I didn't enjoy The Rose Garden as much as Kearsley's other work is that I've read a very similar premise in A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware and I liked Ware's book much better.  I couldn't help but make comparisons the entire time I was reading (both set in bankrupt historical estates on the Cornish coast).  And while the premises did diverge, the similarity of the books kept me from enjoying The Rose Garden fully.  If you're a Kearsley fan I'm sure you'll like the book for a quick and pleasing read, but I really would recommend Ciji Ware's novel to y'all too.

3.5/5 stars

Latest Review: All These Things I've Done

Goodreads Summary:
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

My thoughts:
As you may have noticed, I can be a pretty tough critic when it comes to YA literature.  It's because YA authors are exploring some really creative premises and topics - thus, making it possible for some mind-blowing books.  Anyways, I'm prefacing my thoughts on this book with this disclaimer because, compared to other bloggers, I wasn't as impressed with this book.  Despite this, check out the links to other (more positive) reviews at the bottom of this post...because you may disagree with me :)

My favorite part of the book?  Easily it's the interesting dystopian premise (chocolate and coffee are illegal?!).  I also loved Anya's family and friends (Natty, Leo, Scarlet and Win).  My least favorite part of the book?  The ending...talk about abrupt!  I know it is a part of a planned series but I was still unhappy with the ending.

But really, the main difficulty I had with this book is that I didn't like Anya.  I wanted to like her.  She is a tough female protagonist (I prefer those to the damsel-in-distress types) but she could also be so obtuse despite constantly being called smart and objective.  Also, the whole star-crossed lovers aspect gets played out a lot in YA books.  Sometimes it works (like in Starcrossed) and sometimes it doesn't...and it just didn't work for me in this book.  The series as a whole has potential, but I felt that All These Things I've Done as a standalone was a bit of a let down.

Main takeaway: I was disappointed...maybe there was too much buzz or maybe it was my own expectations but this book didn't deliver for me (however, most of the blogosphere disagrees with me - see here and here).  Despite all of my grumbling, it wasn't awful by any means.  I did like it...I just didn't love it.

3.5/5 stars

Review Catch-Up: Anna and the French Kiss, The Restorer, and The Iron King

Here are some super-shorty reviews of recent reads!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads Summary:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My Thoughts:

• Read it all in one sitting
• While it's a really cute love story - that's not the best part of the book.  The best part is the quirky and fun writing...a bit like that of John Green.
• For me personally, I loved that Anna is a movie-blogging wannabe film critic...I know the feeling :)
• 4/5 stars

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

Goodreads Summary:

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

My Thoughts:

• Super-fun...read it in a flash!
• Love Amelia and her unique profession of cemetery restoration.
• Devlin is one sexy and mysterious dude
• The book left me wanting much more...good thing it's just the first book of a new series (the sequel, The Kingdom, is expected to be out April 2012)!
• 4/5 stars

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Goodreads Summary:
Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. 

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. 

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My Thoughts:

• Another fast read :)
• If you're a lover of fairytales this is right up your alley!
• I'm not totally in love with the characters yet...but there are plenty of sequels allowing me to get to know them better.
• 3.5/5 stars

Latest Read: The Book of Tomorrow

Publisher summary:
Born into the lap of luxury and comfortable in the here and now, spoiled, tempestuous Tamara Goodwin has never had to look to the future—until the abrupt death of her father leaves her and her mother a mountain of debt and forces them to move in with Tamara's peculiar aunt and uncle in a tiny countryside village.

Tamara is lonely and bored, with a traveling library as her only diversion. There she finds a large leather-bound book with a gold clasp and padlock, but no author name or title. Intrigued, she pries open the lock, and what she finds inside takes her breath away.

Tamara sees entries written in her own handwriting, and dated for the following day. When the next day unfolds exactly as recorded, Tamara realizes she may have found a solution to her problems. But in her quest to find answers, Tamara soon learns that some pages are better left unturned and that, try as she may, she mustn't interfere with fate.   

What a cute little modern fairy tale!  I have a soft spot for magical realism and it is rendered beautifully in this novel.  Tamara is a fully fleshed-out character...however, most of the other characters seem either a bit contrived (Rosaleen is pretty unrealistic) or two-dimensional.  I was delighted with the slowly unfolding mystery and Tamara's use of the diary to try and discover clues.  I also loved the underlying theme that one book can change your life :)

Even though this was in the adult fiction section of my library...I'm pretty sure this is a young adult novel.  It definitely had the feel of a book geared towards high school readers as it is a story of Tamara's self-discovery (FYI: there's a bit of teen drinking and sex). 

Overall, I thought this was an entertaining read...an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
3.5/5 stars

Latest Read: The Word Made Flesh

It's not often that I review a non-fiction picture book but I won this beaut from a contest over at The Introverted Reader and had the pleasure of perusing its pretty pages (check out that alliteration)!

What a great book...wonderful photographs, interesting back stories and even my own lovely Bloomington was featured (thanks to a local tattooed bookworm)!  I also love that they showcase some E. E. Cummings tattoos as he's one of my most favorite poets.  My one complaint is that I wish it was longer.  While the editors did represent tattoos from more modern books, really the only ones shown were from the blockbuster Harry Potter series and Twilight series.  I would have loved to seen more modern fiction represented besides the aforementioned novels.  If you read this book and are also left wanting more, they have a blog that features literary tattoos tattoolit.com. Pretty nifty, eh?  All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing where others found inspiration from reading.

A little excerpt from the book for your viewing pleasure:

Line from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read: Deerskin

I cannot rave enough about the wonderful author Robin McKinley!  Her fairy tales always feature very strong female protagonists, well-drawn characters and imaginative stories.  For fairy tale-lovers of all ages I wholeheartedly recommend The Hero and the Crown (about the fiery-haired dragon-slayer Aerin) and The Blue Sword (about a woman named Harry who found her purpose as a warrior against evil) - they were some of my most favorite books growing up!

Now, as for Deerskin, it is most definitely an adult novel as it deals with a very disturbing subject.  This book is loosely based on the little-known Charles Perrault fairy tale called "Donkeyskin."

From the publisher:
As Princess Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her breathtaking beauty she is the mirror image of her mother, the queen. But this seeming blessing forces her to flee for safety from her father's lust and madness. With her loyal dog Ash at her side, Lissar will unlock a door to a world of magic, where she will find the key to her survival-and an adventure beyond her wildest dreams...

 
There was some serious Oedipal shiz going on in this book...whoa!  A story that includes rape and incest is...uh, difficult reading to say the least.  However, the latter two-thirds of the novel focused on transformation, hope, love and a bit of magic.  In a way, this book is an ode to the power of a relationship between a woman and her dog...how they give each other strength to persevere (awww).

While I did like the story, I enjoyed my childhood favorites much more than Deerskin.  It's not actually due to the disturbing nature of the story (which I thought might be the case) but more due to Lissar's interludes in the cabin which dragged a bit for me.  Also, it was pretty obvious where - or should I say, to whom - Lissar's journey would take her (although there were plenty of surprises along the way).  Yet overall, I thought this was a good book.  One of my favorite things about this novel is that the characters seem less idealized and more realistic.  While romanticized characters can make for a more entertaining read, realistic characters (especially placed in a fairy tale) make for a far more interesting one!

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read: Fingersmith

This was my first foray into the lesbian Victoriana of Sarah Waters and I quite enjoyed it!

From Goodreads:

Growing up as a foster child among a family of thieves, orphan Sue Trinder hopes to pay back that kindness by playing a key role in a swindle scheme devised by their leader, Gentleman, who is planning to con a fortune out of the naive Maud Lily, but Sue's growing pity for their helpless victim could destroy the plot.

Twists and turns abound in this gothic novel!  Every time you think you have a grasp on the plot, the next chapter throws it on its head.  This compulsively readable story allows you to view the tale unfold from both the perspective of Sue and of Maud.  The book begins rather slowly at first but soon heats up as unknown plans and motivations are revealed.

I thought the novel was really good but I didn't love it as much as others do.  The plot surprises are fantastic...I think I actually gasped out loud a time or two.  Yet, I thought parts dragged a bit, especially in the beginning.  Despite a few slow moments at the start, I do recommend the novel.  If you like Victorian literature, strong female characters and a gripping story (and who doesn't?) then you will love this book!

3.5/5 stars.

Review Catch-Up: The Clan of the Cave Bear and The Blue Castle

So, I've fallen a bit behind on my reviews as of late and since I blazed through books this past weekend I figure I should do a little two-for-one to catch up. 

First up, The Clan of the Cave Bear the first book in the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel:

Publisher summary:
Here is a novel of awesome beauty and power.  A moving saga about people, relationships and the boundaries of love.  Through Jean Auel's magnificent storytelling, we are taken back to the dawn of mankind and swept up in the wonderful world of a very special heroine, Ayla.  Her enthralling story is one we can all share.  A natural disaster has left young Ayla alone, wandering, fending for herself in an unfamiliar land.  One day, she is discovered by the Clan of the Cave Bear, men and women far different from her own people.  The tall, blonde, blue-eyed Ayla is a mysterious stranger to the Clan and at first they mistrust her and cast her out.  But as she grows to know them and learn the ways of the Clan, she is welcomed.  And as she leads them in their struggle for survival, the Clan comes to worship Ayla.  For in her blood flows the future of humanity.

The most interesting aspect of this book is the prehistoric setting.  The author obviously did an enormous amount of research as all of the actions and skills displayed by the characters are detailed and seemingly realistic for the times.  I liked it enough that I do still want to read the rest of the series as I became attached to the character of Ayla.  She is such a strong, well-drawn, appealing character and you can't help but want to find out what adventures come her way in the next installment.

I recommend this book to those who like historical fiction or are interested in the dawn of the human race and to those who have a particular fondness for charismatic heroines.

3.5/5 stars.

Secondly, I recently finished The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (of Anne of Green Gables fame).

"Fear is the only original sin. Almost all of the evil in the world has its origin in the fact that someone was afraid of something."

This quote from her favorite author forever changes the life of the spinsterish Valancy, when one fateful day she decides to take charge of her own existence and defy the customs of her traditional small town and oppressive family.

Now, one has to remember that this was written back in the 1920s, so Valency's emancipative actions would have been quite scandalous.  While it may have been a unique plot-line at the time...it's now fairly obvious where the storyline is leading as the narrative unfolds.  That being said, the plot is so apparent that I was almost surprised when scenes manifest as expected.  It's a lovely and cozy little romance that includes beautiful imagery and reverence of the outdoors.  The main themes are facing one's fears, living in the moment, and not judging others based on appearances...impressive subjects for a slim novel, no?  If you love Ms. Montgomery's Anne series then you'll surely fall for this book as well.

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read: The Passage

Whoa, a vampire book...how original!  I know that's what you'd probably think after reading a short synopsis of this novel...but really, it's nothing like the Twilights and such of current literature (although I understand the draw of those books).  This is not some teenage angsty romance novel with some vampires and werewolves thrown in for a bit of a twist, rather, it's militarized, glowing, freaky-as-all-get-out vamps.  In the same sense, it's not a quick read, but rather a dystopian saga that will take you through a horrifying apocalyptic reality. The author weaves together many story lines that develop into a tale encompassing one hundred years and almost 800 pages.

I liked it...I did.  Just, once again, given the hype...I thought it would be better (maybe I should just stop believing hype, eh?).  The book is great, really, once you get past 130 pages of intro...and still I was only beginning to be mildly interested. Then, after a bit, I was completely sucked into the story.  But, if it hadn't been for the glowing praise of this novel...I may have given up on it before the narrative drew me in.  So, main complaint: the beginning is too long with too many story-lines (I know they're needed...but there must be a better way to condense all of this information and slim down the book a bit).

The other thing that I think everyone should know about The Passage is that this is the first book in a planned series.  Sooo...be prepared for an unsatisfactory ending in that, it leaves you wanting more.  But really, if you can get over the first 130 pages or so...you will be completely drawn into this story.  I don't want to say too much because, as always, I don't want to give too much away.  I will say that I highly recommend...I'll be interested to see what more Cronin has coming our way!

3.5/5 stars.

Having Fun With Book Club - Unbearable Lightness

This was the first time I've ever read a "celebrity" book...and, in all likelihood, I would've never chosen to read it had it not been picked by my book club.  I'm not sure why, but I guess I'm prejudiced against celeb novels (maybe because I fear that they may employ a ghostwriter).  Anyways, I'm glad I did get a chance to read this book because it was well-written and extremely honest. 

As many of you probably know...this book is about Portia Degeneres' struggle with her eating disorder and her life in the closet.  I couldn't believe how honest she was...some of the things she admitted to doing to herself are pretty extreme (she also includes photos of herself at her skinniest...quite scary).  I can hardly imagine the strength it must have taken for her to admit to her own self-destruction...we all have our demons and she demonstrated a great amount of courage in fully revealing her own.  Overall, our book club really liked the book.  Our only complaint was that the middle of the novel got a bit redundant (and all of the self-harm can be a bit taxing to read about over and over again).  It was a good, enlightening, and fast read that made me cry at the end (mainly because I was so glad for her that she's finally reached a happy place in her life).

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read - Outlander...Tackling Gabaldon

For whatever reason, I have dreaded writing this review.  It must be due to the fact that I am still unsure about my opinion of  Outlander.  I know that this is a much beloved series...and I have only read the first two novels...yet, I can't agree with Galbadon's many followers.  I don't love the books thus far but I don't hate them either.  It's just that I have a few qualms with the novels.  First up, Outlander:

So as not to give too much of the story away...it's about a woman who accidentally time travels from 1945 to 200 years earlier in Scotland and her subsequent adventures and struggles.  What I did like about this book is that it's an extremely quick read due to the fact that it's pretty jam-packed with action.  Also, the character of Jamie Fraser is just wonderfully yummy (bordering on too good to be true, but I'll let that slide).  What I didn't like about it was there was quite a bit of gratuitous sex and sadistic violence...it almost made me feel like I was reading a soap opera (I dunno, that's the best metaphor I can think up).  I could have done with a little bit less detailed description of both the multiple sex and torture scenes (especially the latter).  Did these aspects of the book put me completely off?  No.  In fact, the sex scenes were quite sexy ;)  Buuut, it did give the book a bit of a trashy feel...this would definitely fall into the guilty pleasure category.  Also, the writing was okay, not superb...just adequate.

In sum, if you want an entertaining read, you like romance and history, and don't mind quite a bit of sex and violence...by all means pick this book up!  However, I think all the rave reviews raised my expectations a bit too high for this series.  Thus, my warning is that (in my opinion) this series is yet another fun escapist bit of historical fiction...don't put it up on a pedestal. :)

I'll tackle book #2 of the series in my next post!

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read - The Eyre Affair

The Eyre Affair...what can I say but, what a fun read!  This is science fiction for the book-lover and Jasper Fforde's imaginative alternate world made me laugh out loud several times!

How to describe this book...hmmm.  Well, despite being written in 2001, the novel takes place in a futuristic 1985 (I like to think of it more as an alternate reality) where the Crimean War has waged for hundreds of years and time-travel - and much stranger things - are commonplace.  

The story follows a female protagonist named Thursday Next who is a "Literatec Operative," meaning...she investigates literary crimes.  In this alternate reality, literature is taken as seriously (if not more) than religion...for example "Baconites" go door to door trying to convince people that it was Bacon who actually wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare.  As you may be able to guess, the literary crime in question involves Jane Eyre...for the rest of the story you'll have to read it yourself!

After finishing this fun read, I was delighted to discover that this is actually the first book in a series following Thursday Next.  Needless to say, I recommend this book to those who can suspend disbelief and the subsequent sequels will definitely be on my "To-Read" list!

FYI...Sequels are: Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten, First Among Sequels,  and coming next year...One of Our Thursdays is Missing

3.5/5 stars.

Latest Read - The House at Riverton

I recently finished Kate Morton's The House at Riverton:

As you may recall, I gave a glowing review of Ms. Morton's other novel The Forgotten Garden.  Which is why I immediately purchased this novel, her first.  I truly love her writing and while the book was every bit a page turner of wonderful imagery in an exciting time, it was also a bit depressing a la Atonement.  This wistful "if only this character hadn't done this one thing everything would be okay" aspect haunts me...and because it remained in my thoughts for so long I realize the value of this novel.  Yet, I prefer The Forgotten Garden a bit more...perhaps her writing became more refined over time? Or maybe I just liked the story better?  I can't put my finger on it quite yet, but I can say that I will be reading her newest novel The Distant Hours very soon!!

3.5/5 stars.

But first, a little bit of Science Fiction with The Eyre Affair I'll be sure to review it when I'm finished!