Sometimes I’m glad I (literally) judge a book by its cover because I discover gems like this cover-love-purchase-that-delivered.
I have read The Room and although I liked the story, I also remember it dragged a bit (for a short book). For that I did not expect much from The Wonder despite its mysterious plot (and I do love a good mystery). There are similarities between the two books when it comes to style but for some reason I find I like this better. The author kept the number of characters to a minimum for both books which I suppose is also the reason why a lot of people complain about the seemingly overflowing monologue. That is where good writing comes. Emma Donoghue knows how to keep me engaged even with the “overflowing monologue” so
I’m no Irish but I was born and raised in a mostly Catholic country where, in the early 90s, a teenager claimed the Virgin Mary talks to him. Although the kid in this book does not claim to witness an apparition or carry any message from the silver city, it reminded me of that hullabaloo because of the inclination of the people to blindly believe in something without proof. It’s a very controversial issue. More controversy comes in when the reason for the kid's solemn oath to fast was revealed.
There's only so much my heart can take.
Elijah's Mermaid is about the same as the Essie Fox's first book, The Somnambulist. I know that doesn't sound particularly enticing but I wasn't looking for anything new, really, so it worked for me. The story is still full of intrigue and of juicy, shocking tabloid material scandal. The gossip monger in me wasn't disappointed.
It's not an I-cant-put-it-down sort of book, though. It was only a bit engaging towards the end when all the secrets were coming out. There was even a part where I cried (but I think it was also because I was hormonal, heh). Admittedly, though, there are some pages where I feel like just stopping altogether. And I did, actually. I had to try a few times before I can really get to it.
And I don't get why the title has Elijah's name on it when he played such little role in the development of the story. He was the reason for the biggest conflict in the story but what did he really do other than that? Well, I suppose Elijah's Mermaid is a better title than Pearl.
I always thought great story telling is better than a great plot. I haven't met a book that proved me wrong. Take this book for example. Some parts were told in first person and some in second. Yes, second person. I mean who does that?! In fiction no less! I understand how the book is told in different perspectives and for some books that can work. The story telling has to be full proof, though. And whose voice does the second person story telling belong to? If that's not enough there are a couple of chapters towards the end that were told in third person. I blame artistic freedom. If you can get over the constant switching of voices you might like this.
Or not. Because Love is Red had such great potential if it didn't try to put so many ideas in one book. The birth of Jesus Christ and the alien wise man (I SHIT YOU NOT), some Wiccan tale which didn't really relate to the ... colors (don't even get me started with this), and of course the main mystery. This is the first book of a trilogy, if I might add. I got more questions than answers when I'm done. I'm hoping these will be clarified in the next two instalments, not that I'm holding my breath for those. Okay sorry but the colors ... the colors should've at least been mentioned at the beginning not in the middle with no explanations whatsoever.
I'm not saying the writing isn't good.
It is ... for the most part. I wouldn't finish it if not. And I also kind of understand why this is in first and second person because there are a couple of chapters written in 3rd person and this is how one sounded like:
Chapter 28: The woman opens her eyes. Her eyes are open in the darkness. It is too dark in here.
I rest my case.
Can't get into the God of Death bits. Or I should say chunks, there were a lot of that going on. I think that was what killed this for me. I'm not saying it's awful. I still like it. I just couldn't get past the God of Death bits. Wait I already said that.
What's in this book? War. Fight scenes. Not a lot of plotting and spying anymore because that was so books 1 and 2. Lol. A lot of kissing and making up towards the end ... it's a love story in a war setting, what do you expect? OH! A lot of Roshar! YAY! I think he made this whole book a lot more enjoyable.
3.5 stars.
PS: Does anyone else think Jafar when reading Roshar? Probably just me? Like this but without the nose?
K maybe a bit hotter? But again without the nose.
Okay never mind.
I love books about books and bookstores. I don't like that they almost always end up snobbish and even pretentious. This isn't one of the pretentious and snobbish stories even though the main character is a literary snob himself. The story is not unlike other books of its genre but the story telling and prose was easy to get into. I thought at first this is a feel-good read but there's too many deaths in it. It's more a 3.5 but I read it under 12 hours with a ton of interruptions and that counts for something. I also only realized now that this isn't the first book of the author that I have read. I liked both her books.
Here's my first Mary Higgins Clark book. The antagonist's, Ned Cooper, character was pretty weak. There wasn't much oomph in it. I would classify it as a mystery but it's nowhere near thriller or suspense. The last couple of pages was heartwarming, though. But it didn't make up for everything else.
Two stars.
Women go-getters are a common factor between Kinsella's main characters ... err from the two books I've read of hers lol. Right? Right. It's good because it's what makes her books relatable. And funny. And ... predictable. Wait-what? I guess most chicklit are. No laugh-out-loud moments for me but I threw quite a lot of "heh" and "sniggers".
This is a great in-between read for me.
Three stars.
It's hard to touch controversial issues when writing fiction. I don't know if the story was trying to make any point other than entertain but I found the whole thing so judgmental so if it was, then everything that the characters did inside the story defeats its purpose. Yes, it talked of how people should empathize with people with disabilities and how they can function in the society. It talked about how they are judged but I think the book itself was judging. Even the people who were trying to help the people who needed help were judgmental.
If one tells a lie that one cannot support then the cover is blown. I think this would've been a great plot if enough research was made. It's like putting one issue over another without the right foundation. It will eventually fall apart. It's so muddled with emotions that doesn't make sense. One might argue emotions rarely do but emotions do have a source. Every bit of reaction is a cause of a previous action. The story puts one issue over another and a pile like that just won't stand.
All that being said, I would like to congratulate myself for finishing this book.
1 star.
Rainbow Rowell remembers high school ... and mix tapes! It was mid 90s when I was in HS but we still made mix tapes. I still have some of them lol. I think that was what made me finally read it and when I did I couldn't stop. I couldn't put it down. It made me feel so much sadness and gushiness and a lot of other stuff I don't want to name anymore. Most of the time I was just like omg-poor-eleanor.
I loved the romance part, of course, but it's not because of the gushing and kissing and Park being romantic, it was how they didn't even like each other at first. It was how things just fell into place without them even noticing. Okay maybe they noticed lol. But it's not always love-at-first-sight in high school. Or any other era of your life. So that was so relatable. Erm ... moving on.
Park had a regular teenage life with supportive parents and a close extended family and regular teenage problems he learned to deal with. Having a parent you think you can't please is pretty normal for a teenager. That may be a teenager over analyzing things. That may be a parent not knowing how to deal with a teenager. Or a parent having favoritism ... that's not far from reality either. Eleanor's life is full of things so wrong in so many levels. I think the sweetest thing about their relationship was how they were both (okay mostly Park) trying to understand each other because things are different in their own home.
There may be a ton of issues in here that may be overwhelming and incomprehensible but isn't that how teenagers are like sometimes? They try to carry the the whole world on their own. Or they tend to make a big deal out of everything. Every insecurity and every other thing they can't comprehend. every pimple and freckle. They tend to over analyze. Sometimes they don't and adults can't even tell what's worse. It gets better kids. Take it from your loving aunt.
P.S. I was a mess in that part when Park's mom finally understood ...
Five stars.
I think, first and foremost, one must remember that this is a romance story. I forgot, therefore, I am disappointed. It wasn't bad. Neither was I expecting it to be life-changing. But I wasn't expecting ... this. Basically, here is the story of the third book: Penryn was gushing over Raphael. The end. If you were expecting something else then let this serve as a warning.
The awkward word exchange between characters is back, the idea to draw the crowd to the bridge for what was supposed to be an epic battle was A COMPLETE JOKE, some parts and characters reminded me so much of another book (a highly successful one) and ... it ended just like that!
The only part that I liked about it was Beliel's. That was the only person whose bitterness and personality was explained. I felt really bad for him but at least for Beliel I had closure. But what of Penryn? There was supposed to be an explanation for why she was wielding the angel sword. An explanation that is more than what was given. More than the fact that it deemed Raffe not deserving anymore because then anyone can wield it. More than people being a grand grand grand grand grand grand (and more grand) daughter of one of the Watchers. They didn't say that outright but what's a person without closure do except invent a that-would-do explanation?
2 stars.
I haven't read a book I wanted to stay up late for in a long time. Here's one. I was devastated to find out the last of the trilogy won't come out until next year so now my problem is do I read the second book or do I wait a few months and suffer. Tough decisions.
See, it's books like this that got me into YA. The last YA trilogy I read wasn't so much of a much so I stopped reading YA for a bit. I mean, it was good but I didn't as excited about it as this one. I think this book just killed my YA reading slump. I like the story telling and its prose best. As far as the made-up world, clan wars and forbidden love, it's all been done before. It's the story telling and writing that makes a difference.
Okay I think my EQ is low today so I'm gonna go read the 2nd book and then suffer longer until the last installment comes out.
Five stars.
Any book that makes me look like a lunatic in a corner of a tea shop deserves five stars from me. I wanted to finish the book in the shop but I kept getting annoyed/curious/scared/worried stares from people when I got to the twist and started whispering "what? ... what?!! ... what the f--?!!". I wasn't embarrassed, instead I wanted to look back at them and say "can you believe this?!!" while pointing at a book looking incredulous with one eyebrow raised. But I didn't want to be banned in there. I like their tea. It was then I knew I had to finish the book within the confines of my bedroom. There I can be free.
Seriously, though. This one came as a surprise from the very second I found it on my office table (thanks, Bart!). Heh. I always say I like a good mystery so this falls under that category. Another thing I like is culture. I know people always say we should be free from culture that constricts the society (and this book is filled with it since it's about some Romany gypsies living and thriving to keep their traditions in the retro era) but I always believed the only way we can free ourselves of anything is to understand it. Not hating it and running away from it. But let's not get off topic. When I read this I realized I don't know much about gypsies except ... well, Esmeralda's of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and her people ...erm ... sorry yeah, ignorant, I know. It's an interesting setting with sympathetic characters. Too bad about Tene, though.
So anyhoo, the twist. It was kinda ridiculous, I know, but it worked for me. I've read stuff with more ridiculous plots they should be classified as fantasy. This one is realistic enough for me. Now please excuse me while I hunt her other book down.
Five stars.
This is a fast read (if I hadn't been busy) and an uncomplicated one but the way I feel about it is a bit -- contradicting. I like the genre and the writing should be easy for anyone to follow but it's still just -- not a page-turner. I liked the old New York setting and I'm in love with old circus and old magic concept but for some reason I couldn't connect with this one. I have to admit I expected more from it so maybe there lies they problem? I'm also getting tired of the love triangle thing in YA so there's another star off the rating. I'd still like to read the second book and see how it turns out. I think I would give this a 3.5 at most.
This one is especially ... erm ... special, because of the stories behind this story (read the Acknowledgements too, please). It's a great medium to discuss PTSD and TBI which has been causing a bit of buzz in the social media. A bit as in it's not enough especially for those involved/suffering from it.
If in fairy tales we don't know what happens after the prince marries the princess, in crime books we don't know what happens to victims after they've been rescued. Or not. In crime books, readers are often focused on solving the puzzle and finding out who the evil serial killer is. What happens after the fact is no longer relevant. This is the story that decides it IS relevant.
Storytelling-wise, it's a classic Tami Hoag so (for me) it got a bit predictable. It doesn't make me love her any less lol. There's just one minor detail that bugs me. SPOILER ALERT: When Dana woke up she was told she was in a car accident then -- what? I thought since she's behaving unpredictably she would've made a big deal out of it ... but I guess forgot to do that? Sorry, I'm a stickler for unimportant things.
Four stars.
I had such high hopes for this book because 1) i like mystery thrillers, 2) i like small towns that were made for vacations and 3) most of the reviews I saw were okay. I was left with a lot of questions after reading it, though. In some cases, that can be a good thing ... but not here. The thing that got me through this book is the character development. It was pretty good. But then it kept going and going and going that it dragged and I forgot what the story was all about ... like ... i forgot what I'm supposed to say now.
2 Stars
I never thought you could romanticize being a handmaid this much. Or at all. I mean, I thought Jane Eyre's ambition to be a governess was a tad bit glamorized but this ... heh.
If I was to make the blurb for The House At Riverton I'd say: This story is basically about the scandal within a prominent family told through the eyes of a maid who eavesdropped on her employers the whole time. It dragged a bit (when they were describing how they were polishing silver) but I expected that.
It took me three tries before I got into it and in the end I'm glad I persisted (or someone else persisted because this book was highly recommended *coughshovedcough* to me). Ok seriously, if you're a Jane Austen fan you might enjoy this. I'm more into Charlotte Brontë and Mark Twain (if I ever read classics) but I still enjoyed reading this. I liked the twist, I sort of predicted it five paragraphs before it happened but it was ... pretty well thought of. I guess I should've predicted it from the beginning because they kept repeating it over and over and Grace kept repeating the word "secret" over and over but ... yeah.
What I enjoyed the most is not the story, though, but the characters. I loved some of them, hated some of them, was amused by some of them. I guess the characters were ... well built and they fit. Each and everyone of them. Florence's name making a short appearance was a bit cheesy but, hey, it worked. [Even Hannah being super selfish worked. I mean she was spoiled since she was a kid and she gets away with pretty much everything she did so her decisions weren't so surprising. I thought her character was super consistent.
If you're a Harry Potter fan and you haven't read this, you're doing yourself a disservice. I don't want to have to explain again how amazing I think this fanfic is anymore so just DOWNLOAD IT ... for FREE!!! I love how I didn't have to pay to extend my HP experience but I really hope this would come out in print and that Mr G. Norman Lippert gets paid. Yes, I know about copyright issues but *cougheEricVanLustbadercough*. For now, dear people, please buy this guy a coffee. Better yet, buy his non-JP works (that was what I did haha) here:http://www.jamespotterseries.com/. I mean, seriously.
Now, I am super sad to know that the author cannot promise to make another installment because life gets in the way. (That's why I said buy his other works. So he can continue writing more. Purely selfish reasons, I know. Lol.) All that being said, I think this is a good "ending" to the series. It didn't end per se. Like the author said, there's still a lot of story there. But some parts, somehow, gave me (so I'm assuming it would be the same experience for Potterheads) closure. Yes, I'm talking about the mirror of Erised. I wish he'd included Ron and Hermione in that scene, though.
Here are a few things I'd like to see on the possible installments: the "relationship" between James and Petra explained, George Weasley's spark and faith in magickind to come back, and more of the Snape paintings terrorizing James lol.
I'd really like a JP #5, #6 and #7. :(
Okay so nobody died. Yay! Still, it was boring.It was basically this guy who was making calls the whole year to get things in order. I was waiting for a conflict but there was none whatsoever. That's a lot coming from someone who doesn't like conflict very much. It also got predictable halfway through the book. As in I knew, somehow, who the wedding was for. I think it was because she said her daughter would regret it if she didn't have a "proper wedding" ... but that's just me.
The book was well written as in it was easy to read so it was okay. My major issue is in the story. I see why most women would love this book (that may sound stereotypical but, hey ...). I mean, who wouldn't want to feel like a queen and have her husband court her again ... and over and over again? I'd love that too but I feel for a guy who is faithful to his wife and did his best to provide for his family but, apparently, is still "majorly" flawed because ... I dunno, he couldn't say "I love you" all the time because it wasn't in his nature. It seems a bit petty. If, for example, he brought her a perfume for their anniversary, one that he let his secretary pick, would he have known that she felt that way? Would she have cried? Would she go to NY to be away on her own? Also, I'm not an expert on being a parent and in marital affairs but would a mother go to her kids about marital issues? Would a mother burden her children about it? Hey why don't I make my son a shock absorber, never mind that he'll surely pick my side and hate his father afterwards. Again, I'm no expert but I think I'd go to my friends. Or my siblings, even.
There's another side to this so why lay blame? Maybe she was too busy tending to the kids too that when they left, she, herself, didn't know what to do with the two of them being alone. She did bury and busy herself in redecorating the house after their kids left, right? And they didn't say in the book that she asked him to go away on vacation or anything. Men can be dense.
Don't get me wrong. I loved that they made the marriage work in the end. Or I should say HE did something to make it work in the end. People say a relationship is always a two-way street ...
So much emotions in this book. Why would you do this to me [Nicey]??? Lol. I haven't had a good laugh-cry from a book in a while. When I got near the end I was practically bawling. Yes I was exaggerating but if you've read the book, I think you'd know what I'm talking about. If not then I'd say the last time I felt this good was when Dumbledore awarded Neville 10 points at the end of their term during their first year at Hogwarts. The stories aren't the same but my throat gets constricted the same way ... I'll stop with all the feels talk before I breakdown.
This is an easy-read for an adult and even if it's mostly middle-schoolers (and some HS students) narrating the story, it's something that's obviously written for all ages. I liked how people in the book made it clear that there will always be jerks and narrow-minded people in the world because it's true. It reminds me a lot of all the viral articles of students doing small deeds and even going out of their way to do a kind act to a classmate who needs it.
