Title: Before the Devil Breaks You
Author: Libba Bray
Series/Standalone: The Diviners (Book #3)
Genre: Young adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Pages: 552
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "Thick evening fog clung to the forlorn banks of Ward's Island, turning it into a ghost itself."
"New York City.
1927.
Lights are bright.
Jazz is king.
Parties are wild.
And the dead are coming...
After battling a supernatural sleeping sickness that early claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough of lies. They're more determined than ever to uncover the mystery behind their extraordinary powers, even as they face off against an all-new terror. Out on Ward's Island, far from the city's bustle, sits a mental hospital haunted by the lost souls of people long forgoteen-- ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the man in the stovepipe hat, also known as the King of Crows.
With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over, and New York City on the verge of panic, the Diviners must band together and brave the sinister ghosts invading the asylum, a fight that will bring them fact-to-face with the King of Crows. But as the explosive secrets of the past come to light, loyalties and friendship will be teasted, love will hang in the balance, and thre Diviners will question all that they've ever known. All the while, malevolent forces gather from every corner in a battle for the very soul of a nation-- a fight that could claim the Diviners themselves."
My Rating: 4.5/5
So for the first majority of the book I was kind of questioning my enjoyment of the series overall. I was still enjoying it and enjoying our characters, but it wasn't blowing me away as much as the books before this one. By the end of this storyline though I was drawn back into the world and am so excited to continue with the series. I'm just hoping that it doesn't take the author another 4 years to put out a novel. I loved the growth and changes in our characters, as well as the expansion on some of our newer characters. I also enjoyed the diversity within our characters.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Throughout the first part of the book I was a little disappointed in the content of this book. I was still enjoying it, but it felt a little too predictable to me and the characters seemed a little static for my liking, but by the end of the book I was blown away by the twists and turns. I loved the way the story wrapped up and it certainly left me wanting more. I'm excited to see where the story goes in the rest of the series.
Characters:
Evie: I thought that Evie would be my favorite character after the first book, but as the series has continued she's become less likable to me. I was proud of her for finely stopping WGI from pushing her around. I also wonder how she'll deal with her rekindled relationship with Sam.
Theta: I think Theta might be my favorite character. She's willing to stand up for herself even though she's scared. After her secret is revealed she takes time to figure out how she wants to use it to help her friends and people around her. I was surprised at how quickly Roy found her and tried to take control of her again.
Sam: Throughout the story I was waiting for him to lose it on Jericho and I was surprised he didn't after the problem at the Marlowe estate. I also wonder how he will find his mother and what he'll do when he realizes she's one of the ones connection the King of Crows to this world.
Henry: I wish that we would have been able to see more from his point of view, I loved his perspective in the second book and I missed it in this one.
Ling: I felt the same way I did about Henry. I was glad to see an expanse on her romantic interest and the representation that she added to the story without it being labelled.
Memphis: I love him. I was frustrated when he was just bumbling through life after Theta broke up with him, but I can understand how that feels. I also wonder about his future now that the Shadow Men are after him with a purpose. Will Bill stay on their side?
Isaiah: Will his "fits" subside now that Bill isn't working against him, or will he become a seer similar to those we've seen throughout the story? Will he lose control of his body and just become a vessel for prophecies? I hope not.
Bill: I wonder about his choices and whether or not he will be willing to stay on the boys side or if he will stop repaying his "debt" at some point. I think now that he has a second chance at life he is willing to work harder to be a better person.
Margaret Walker: I wonder about her involvement with the Shadow Men and how her and the others had a falling out. I realize she wasn't a part of the Founder's Club, but what else was she involved in?
Will: I wish that he hadn't gone so early, but I also wonder how this will affect our other characters. Did he leave behind enough information for them to learn about themselves and their past, or will it be a continual guessing game?
Mabel: This broke my heart. I thought that Memphis would pop out of no where and heal her and things would be happy go lucky. Little did I realize that this is how she met her death. It broke my heart to see her dying trying to stop something to no avail.
Jericho: I hope he freaking regrets what he did. To go after someone the way he went after Evie is unexceptable. I understand that he was out of his mind, but still its scary to think that that is the new brand of American's that Marlowe is trying to bring to life.
Jake: I think he might be the bumbling idiot villian if I've ever saw one. To be willing to release the king of crows and think that they would be able to control him is just stupid. For someone so book smart, he's not the brightest of the bulbs is he?
King of Crows: I wonder about his origins and his story. Why does he want to destroy humanity so much.
Roy: I wish he would have met his end. He deserved it, but I'm glad that he knows that he doesn't have the power to control Theta anymore. That he is less than nothing.
Sarah: Her death served a huge purpose for those shadow men, which is unfortunate, but it makes me wonder if Jake had something to do with it.
Arthur: He and Mabel might have been happy together, but after all they went through they met their end in the most unfortunate way. I was hoping that at least one of them would survive. I think that he sincerely thought he was doing his part in social justice, but it just wasn't the right course of action.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 135
"She got drunk and talked too much and danced on tables. She had a temper and a sharp tongue, and she often blurted out things she instantly regretted. Worst of all, she suspected that was who she truly was- not so much a bright young thing as a messy young thing."
Pg. 482
"I can't say what the future holds. That is my brother's gift not mine. I only know my heart has picked yours from the multitude, a secret sign, a small piece of the Divine, and it will not let go."
Final Line: "'The time is now.'"
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Through the Ever Night
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series/Standalone: Under the Never Sky (Book #2)
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 341
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. but their reunion is far from perfect. The tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.
Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, can their love survive through the ever night?"
My Rating: 4/5
This is a storyline I didn't think that I would enjoy after reading the description, but I really enjoyed the plot and the different parts of the world we got to see throughout this second instalment. Is this a slight cliche dystopian novel? Yes, yes it is. I really enjoyed the storyline though overall and it's a little different than other dystopian's I've read. I also enjoyed that this book didn't stray away from realistic content (no there was no explicit sexual things, but they outlined it so the reader knew what was going on). I also enjoyed the different narrator of the audiobook, he was a slower reader so I was able to increase the speed on my audiobook to complete the story quickly. Overall I really enjoyed this second book and look forward to continuing the series.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This series is really surprising me. It's different than other dystopian novels that I've read. The idea of people in a compound having technology to transport them to other places was an interesting idea. I also really enjoy the idea of the tribes outside. I also enjoyed the two perspectives that were so different. This audiobook also had a far better narrator and I appreciated it greatly. Overall I'm really enjoying this dystopian series and I'm excited to continue.
Characters:
Perry: I think that he found himself in a tough position for the majority of this book. He had thought for so long that being Blood Lord would be easy. And after seeing the struggles he was going to face, he realized that maybe it wasn't as simple as he thought. Especially having to choose between someone he loves and his duty. Which I'm sure Reef didn't help with.
Reef: There's something about this guy that I just don't trust. I have a feeling he's trying to take over the Tides behind Perry's back.
Talon: I think that Talon is experiencing so many changes especially watching the compound that he was taken to fall apart around him. I wonder if he will continue to be healthy, or if his health will fail once again on the outside.
Aria: I loved that she grew into so much more than Perry's "girl". She was able to hold her own during fights and willing to do anything for her friends, something I can definitely appreciate. I look forward to seeing more of her growth in the last instalment of the series.
Soren: I wonder what will keep him from losing it again, is it just a matter of time or will he continue to be "nice".
Roar: To lose someone when you're so close to getting them back is horrible to imagine, and it's broke my heart to see him lose Liv. I also felt heartbroken when he thought that she was over him and didn't want to be with her anymore. His poor heart.
Cinder: When he finally thought he would be safe and accepted and then he was taken. I hope that he makes it through to the still blue, just not with Sable and Hess. He belongs with Aria and Perry... duh.
Liv: I wish we had gotten to know her better, and I think that there is a novella with her and Roar before the story of the first book begins. I'm curious about her relationship with Sable and how she got him eating out of the palm of her hand, to begin with.
Counsel Hess: This guy clearly has no conscience, or he can justify what he's doing to the extra people in the pods. I wonder what he'll do if Aria catches up with him.
Sable: I wonder about his backstory and how he was able to kill Liv so easily. I also wonder how he found the location of the still blue to start with
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Fairest
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series/Standalone: The Lunar Chronicles (Book #3.5)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages: 220
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year Published: 2015
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "She was lying on a burning pyre, hot coals beneath her back."
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the Fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her 'glamour' to gain power. but long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet and Cress, Levana lived a very different story- a story that has never been told... until now."
My Rating: 2.5/5
I'd heard alot of mixed reviews about this installment in the Lunar Chronicles and unfortunately I just didn't love it. I know that this story is written to further explore why Levana is the way she is, but I just didn't like it. I think that this story explores a different side of Levana but I felt strongly that it was trying to justify Levana's choices, which I just wasn't ok with. That being said, it did open the door to Princess Winter for the Fourth book. I'm looking forward to finishing the series and exploring Winter's p.o.v from Luna.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Unfortunately this is my least favorite book of the series so far. I understand the purpose of the story and why it's important to further understand Levana as a villain, but this story seemed to be trying to justify her actions towards those around her. And it just didn't seem to make sense to me. Yes she'd lived a tough life and had been assualted by her sister, but that didn't mean she had the right to manipulate everyone around her. If anything it just showed that her mental health probably wasn't in the best place as she was able to justify everything she "had" to do.
Characters:
Levana: I think that she just wasn't able to trust those around her and believe that anyone would love her for who she really was which is just a shame. I also think that the fact that she was able to justify her horrible actions just shows how much of villain she really is.
Winter: I think that she is going to be a huge part of the next story and I wonder about her sanity as well just based on the way we've seen her throughout the series.
Selene: To be punished just for being a child of someone who was cruel is ridiculous.
Evret: To be forced into a marriage and into sharing a bed with someone is horrible. Especially after trying to be supportive in the kindest way. I don't know how he was able to live his life with her knowing that she was using his dead wifes face. It's horrifying to think about.
Channary: She was undoubtedly cruel, and I wonder what her reasoning for her actions toward Levana were. Why would you put your younger sister in a fire. That's madness. I can't say that I'm sorry she met her death.
Sol: I loved her and she was a sweet woman, and at least she didn't die at Levana's hand.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "Here is what I think of love."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series/Standalone: Under the Never Sky Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 374
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2012
Format: Audiobook
"Since she'd been outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.
This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving the outer wasteland-- known as The Death Shop-- are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild-- a savage-- and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile-- everything he would expect from a Dweller. but he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliances forge a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky."
My Rating: 4/5
I had heard that this was an awesome dystopian series and this was a promising start to what looks like a fun trilogy. I really enjoyed the writing style and the world that was explored throughout this first book, but the audiobook narrator was not my favourite. I also found that some aspects of the book were cliche, while others were just unique enough to catch my interest. I'm excited to continue listening to the next book (I haven't been able to find these at my local library, so audiobook it is), and see where our characters take us.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This may be the year of highly hyped books or books I heard about on the internet. After the big dystopian craze (brought on by the Hunger Games...) this series became rather popular on the internet book community and I waited until now to see if it was really worth the hype or if it was just built up due to the trend of the time. I must say that this book stood the test. I really enjoyed the premise and the unique aspects of the storyline (having mutated powers based on being in the aether, the aether itself, podlife, etc). This book at some points gave me Illuminae vibes (without the space aspect). The characters were interesting but not as diverse as I would have hoped but who knows who we will meet in the next instalment.
Characters:
Perry: I think that he was an interesting love interest. Someone who is so opposite to his partner in most ways but finds themselves unable to resist them in spite of it. I also loved his loyalty to his nephew and the way he saw life on the Outside. The idea of being able to scent how someone felt and thought was interesting to me, I also thought that it was interesting to his two gifts combined both in everyday life and battle.
Aria: Nothing quite like being called Mole. I enjoyed that part a little too much. I also enjoyed the fact that she was part Outsider and that she gained an ability after being in her "natural" habitat for an extended period of time. I do wonder how she'll carry out the deal that she made at the end of the story and how that will affect her relationship with Perry.
Roar: A fun side character, reminded me a bit of Lucien in the first ACOTAR book and how his companionship helped Aria through tough times. I also enjoyed that the had similar skills.
Cinder: I wonder where he came from and what his original tribe thought of his gift. Is it possible there is a tribe who can just "use" the Aether?
Talon: While being in a pod seems to be helping his health, I wonder how long after the deal Aria made with the Counsellor. Will that affect his treatment?
Vale: Do we eventually get a backstory about how he felt toward Perry throughout his life, cause it's not like we can just learn about that now. Unless we learn that through Talon or others surrounding Vale. Also to sell out the children of your tribe in order to feed them? What a difficult decision to make, but to hire a hit man for your brother, that's a little overboard.
Marron: Another character I'm curious to learn about in the next book. One I hope to see alot more in the next book.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series/Standalone: A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book #3)
Pages: 699
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 2017
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The buzzing of flies and screaming survivors had long since replaced the beating war-drum."
"Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening the bring Prythian to its knees. but to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit- and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.
As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords- and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all."
My Rating: 4/5
I know I'm about half a year behind everyone, but here it finally is my review on ACOWAR. I think that this book wasn't a bad wrap up for Feyre's point of view. But I also didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first two books. I think that Sarah J. Maas did a great job with the action parts of this story along with the romance, that being said it was hard to get through at some points and seemed drawn out for some periods of time. That also being said I wonder what A Court of Frost and Starlight. Overall I enjoyed it and was happy to finish the series and see our favorite characters again. It was also nice to explore the world more along with the other courts.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This book has been a long time coming for me to read. I preordered this book after binge reading ACOTAR and ACOMAF two books that I loved so much in 2016, but then kept putting it off (first to reread the first 2 and then just based on the opinions of others that it was a let down). Don't get me wrong this was my least favorite of the series so far, but I still enjoyed it. At some points I just found that the story was unneccesarily long which isn't really a good feeling to have in the last book from a certain p.o.v. All of these taken into consideration I really enjoyed catching up with favorite characters, the drama, the action and the further exploration of the world and am excited to continue reading stories in this setting in the future. I am certainly curious about who the next 3 books will be following.
Characters:
Feyre: I enjoyed seeing her grow so much and become so confident in who she is. I also appreciated her relationship with Rhy in comparison to her relationship with Tamlin in the start of the series. I think that it was important that she got closure from her family as well as her former lover, but at the same time I don't know how she didn't rip him apart for what he did to her family and the land. I also loved how she held her own in this book against all odds.
Rhys: He is probably one of the most loved fictional characters in the booktube and blogger universe at the moment and I'm still aboard the train. The way he makes sure that Feyre is able to make her own decisions while still keeping her "safe" is really important to me. I respected that he was willing to do whatever it takes to protect those he loves and what he believes in. But I didn't appreciate the way that his bringing around was a repeat to Feyre's although in an aspect it made the story come full circle.
Tamlin: While reading the first book I didn't understand how everyone could come to hate him so much, and yet here I am hating him so much. He's an overprotective, abusive asshole. I hated him throughout this story. Especially when he went to the meeting just to throw insults at Feyre and Rhys. What a dick.
Lucien: I do think that he regretted not helping Feyre when he had the chance but overall it did lead him to finding his mate. I do wonder how that will play out for him and Elain after she was so heartbroken by the mortal guy.
Nesta: I think that hell hath no fury quite like Nesta. She is all fire and ice. I loved her attitude even when it was a little much because of who she was. I do wonder about her and Cassian's future especially after the war and all they had seen.
Elain: Will she still be seeing prophecies even though the Cauldron has been sent somewhere safe. I also wonder how she will cope with being High Fae in this new world.
Azriel: My heart breaks for him especially knowing that Mor can't love him in return. Will he think those years a waste and be angry with himself and her. Or will he be willing to find someone else? I strongly hope for the second.
Mor: Throwing in Mor's sexuality kind of seemed like a last ditch effort to make this book more diverse and I don't think it really accomplished that. We didn't see a good example of a female-female romance, we saw someone who wasn't ready to come out (which may be accurate for a lot of people), but I think that it could have been done so much better.
Cassien: He's brutish and finally being able to hear about his fighting skills took my breathe away. I think that he was too willing to risk it all, even though he might have had an idea about the way he felt towards Nesta. I hope that they do have a mating bond and it clicks in soon (although at the start of the series they were made to sound rare and here we are with so many people getting paired up).
Beron: I hate him with a fiery passion just because you suspect that someone is not your child gives you no right to hurt them the way he hurt Lucien.
Eris: Either he will be a far better leader than his father or he will be far worse, only time will tell.
Ianthe: I'm glad she met her end in such a horrible way. She certainly deserved it. After all the assualts she's launched in her time she deserved everything she got.
The King: I wonder what waited for him after his attempt to use the cauldron. He deserves a painful death and I wonder about his subjects (whoever is left) and how they will take the defeat.
Jurian: I wonder what will happen to him now, maybe that's where our story will continue or maybe w'll meet up with him in another time. But I suppose we will have to wait and see.
Amren: I will miss her fiery attitude and her power, but she deserves to live.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 234
"'This could be... a very bad idea,' I admitted, my grip tightening on his hand.
'Oh, it must certainly is,' Cassian said with a faint smile as we continued down and down into the heavy black thrumming silence. 'But this is war. We don't have the luxury of good ideas- only picking between the bad ones.'"
Pg. 436
"Beron threw her a glare that had Kallias tensing. 'Wives were invited as a courtesy, not as consultants.'
Viviane's sapphire eyes flared as if struck by lightning. 'If this war goes poorly, we'll be bleeding out right alongside you, so I think we damn well get a say in things.'"
Final Line:
"All of it."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Ruined
Author: Amy Tintera
Series/Standalone: Ruined Series (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 355
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published:2016
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The wheels of the carriage creaked as they rolled across the dirt."
"A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia was kidnapped.
But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge Em sets of on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera's borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. but in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.
In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera's throne. if anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir's true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it's the only way to salvage Em's kingdom and what is left of her family.
Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em's rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life- and her family- on the line, love could be Em's deadliest mistake."
My Rating: 4.5/5
I went into this book tentatively because it was being compared to my favorite series, Red Queen and while I see where that was pulled from I didn't enjoy them for the same reason. In this story, I really enjoyed the main character and her motives, but more so I enjoyed the world and learning about the magic in this world. I also really enjoyed the romance for the first half of this novel, but by the second half, I found myself getting frustrated with the characters. I also enjoyed the pacing of this book it was a fun fast read, and I plan to continue on with the story.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So this book was a leap for me, it was compared to Red Queen as some of you may know that that's my favourite series. And I have to say I did really enjoy this book but for different reasons then why I enjoy the Red Queen series. I really liked the romance aspect in the first half o this book, but by the second part of the book, I was little over it. I liked the twists and turns and the changing perspectives, but at times it made the story a little repetitive. Overall I really enjoyed this book and the world. I also found that it reminded me of The Selection Series with its addictive quality and romantic interest. I look forward to continuing with this series and would recommend as a first fantasy foray for young readers.
Characters:
Em: She's so willing to risk it all for her country even though they mark her as "useless". I did appreciate that she was willing to fight and that she was a bad ass. Also, anyone else enjoys a female main character who can handle a weapon and doesn't have to be trained by a man. I think that she definitely was cunning but let her feelings get in the way of her major plan.
Olivia: I'm really interested in how she will affect the storyline in the coming books. She is ruthless and willing to kill anyone for the Ruined. She seems more like the villain than the people of Lera did in the long run.
Cas: I liked him. Although he definitely was too trusting of those around him. Even if he had married the real Mary, I think she would have taken advantage of his kindness. He just seems like he's too sympathetic to everyone's cause which could be good, or gets him killed.
The Queen: LIttle did we know that she was the real obstacle all along. I wonder if she would be willing to kill her son to let her niece ascend the throne. I could sadly see it happening.
Aren: I loved him. He was willing to fight for those he loved even though he'd lost so much. I am curious about his backstory and how he lived before the start of the war.
Damian: We didn't really get to know him, but he seemed to genuinely care for Em and her cause. It was surprising to see him die so early on.
Iria: I wonder what her king has in mind for the ruined and why they were so quick to fight against Aren and Em. I hope that Em's speech inspired them, but I doubt it. Especially since they retreated.
Galo: I loved him and his representation. He was the only one who was completely honest with Cas regardless of what Cas would think. I hope that he makes a good Captain of the Guard but who knows what will happen in the next book.
Jovita: There is something about her, I wonder who her parents were and what she was taught before she came to live with the King and Queen. Is she willing to fight to ascend to the throne, or will she wait for natural consequences? Guess we'll find out.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 160
"'Do you ever wonder,' he said to the ground, 'if maybe we're the dangerous ones, not the Ruined?'
Galo paused before answering. 'All the time.'"
Pg. 263
"'Point that thing at me again and I'll crack every one of your ribs in half and pull them out through your belly button.'"
Final Line: "'They will fear us soon enough.'"
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Sing You Home
Author: Jodi Picoult
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Adult Fiction, Chicklit, LGBT
Pages: 466
Publisher: Atria Books
Year Published: 2011
Format: Physical Copy
First Line: "One sunny, crisp Saturday in September when I was seven years old, I watched my father drop dead."
"Every life has a soundtrack. All you have to do is listen.
In the aftermath of a series of personal tragedies, Zoe throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When an unexpected friendship slowly blossoms into love, she makes plans for a new life, but to her shock and inevitable rage, some people- even those she loves and trusts most- don't want that to happen.
Sing You Home explores the delicate boundaries of identity, love, marriage, and parenthood. What happens when the outside world brutally calls into question the very thing closest to our hearts: family? Once again, Jodi Picoult gracefully brings the hidden tension of life sharply into focus in this poignantly honest novel."
My Rating: 4/5
I know that Jodi Picoult is a very popular author for chicklit and adult fiction, but this is the first novel of hers that I have read. And I really enjoyed it. I came to realize though that Jodi Picoult is to chicklit, what Nicholas Sparks is to romance. A standard if that makes sense. Not to say that I didn't enjoy this story. I think that this book does an interesting job of questioning values and relationships, especially the idea of families in the modern day.
I also think that Jodi Picoult does a great job of hitting hard right from the start, which makes me interested in reading more of her works.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I have come to terms with the fact that I might be trash for the drama in Jodi Picoult's books. I'm really looking into the idea of looking into more of her books (kind of hoping that some of her books come up in the bookclub I thought). I really think that Jodi Picoult tackled important subjects in this story. Homophobia, the idea of the modern family, mental health, etc. These were all important themes throughout the story line. I can understand how this is alittle much for some people, but to me these were important subjects to think about.
Characters:
Zoe: I think that this concept may be difficult for people to understand, but this story is an interesting account about sexuality and how sexuality is fluid. I liked the way that Zoe described how she was attracted to Vanessa. She very much describes that she is attracted to people rather than the gender. I also enjoyed her perspective as a music therapist it made me happy to see someone taking their love of music to help those around them.
Vanessa: I liked Vanessa. She was willing to fight for Zoe and give it her all. She also didn't force her into anything she wasn't comfortable with. She is straightforward with her sexuality and doesn't hide it from Zoe which I think is an important aspect to consider.
Max: I really liked him at the beginning of the stoyr, but as i watched the story unfold I found myself getting extremely frustrated with him. I understand that people change with their experiences, but Max totally flipped into another person after joining the church (not that I think this happens to all people who join a religious group).
Reid: He might be my least favorite character in this whole story. He thinks that he can buy the embreos near the end of the story he wants to have kids but doesn't care about the cost that it would put anyone else under. He also is very suspicious. I can't explain it all, because I don't want any biased that I might have towards certain religions to come front and centre, so let's just say I hated him.
Liddy: I do wonder more about her childhood and how she gained such a personal relationship with God and the idea of religion. I understand that she was a pastor's daughter, but it's also made clear that he engaged in drinking and possibly other "sins". I'm curious about her back story but happy to see her happy with Max at the end.
Pastor Clive: I honestly think that he thinks he is doing the right thing, but I enjoyed in the court room when his beliefs were brought into perspective. You can't only take things you need as direct quotes, when there are so many others that are not appropriate to this day and age.
Wade: He's a smooth talking son of a gun, but that didn't win him any favors by the end of the story line. I truly hope that his career went downhill from here.
Angela: I loved her. She was sassy, full of passion for her job and just honest with those around her. Although she herself doesn't identify as gay, she is able to defend gay rights and rights of those that often go unheard.
Lucy: I wonder more and more about her life. About what happened to her by the end of the book and if she was able to survive in Pastor Clive's house until she was 18. I can't say that I was surprised by the fact that she was his step daughter, in fact I started to wonder about it about half way through the book, then brushed that idea aside. I hope that she got the help she needed before it was too late.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "That, really, she is the luckiest girl in the world."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Rosie Project
Author: Graeme Simsion
Series/Standalone: Don Tillman (Book #1)
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Humor
Pages: 329
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers LTD
Year Published: 2013
Format: Physical Copy (Library Book)
First Line: "I may have found a solution to the Wife Problem."
"Wife Wanted.
Must be punctual, logical and enjoy travelling by bicycle. No smoker, drinkers or horscope readers need apply.
Don Tillman has a brilliant scientific mind, but social situations confound him. He's never had a second date. And so, in the evidence-based in which he approaches all things, he embarks upon the Wife Project: a sixteen-page questionnaire to find the perfect partner. Then in walks Rosie Jarman.
Rosie is on a quest of her own. She's looking for her biological father, a search that a certain gentics expert might just be able to help her with. Soon Don puts the Wife project on the back burner in order to help Rosie pursue the Father Project. As an unlikely relationship blooms, Don is about to realize that despite the best scientific efforts, you don't find love: love finds you."
My Rating: 4/5
This is the first book that I'm reading as a group with a book club I joined at my local library. I'm trying to branch out from young adult books and getting more involved in the community as a whole. Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was fun and humorous without taking itself too seriously. I don't think I would continue the series unless the book club continues with it, not because I didn't like the novel I was just satisfied with how the story wrapped up. I loved the way this book dealt with the idea of Asperger's and social scenarios for people whose brains work in a different way.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This is my first ever book club book and I'm surprised with how much I enjoyed it. The story was fun and humourous without thinking to highly of its self. Our main character was interesting to read from for the simple reason that his brain interacted with things around him in a different way than others. I also enjoyed that the story didn't take itself to seriously. It knew what it was playing at and was able to keep it light without bogging down the story with unneccesary details at all times.
Characters:
Don: I thought that his perspective was interesting to read from as we observed his behaviour and how it differed from those in his surrondings. I also thought it was interesting to think about the fact that you can't analyze yourself no matter how smart you are, you'd always have a biased towards yourself (whether good or bad). As a preschool teacher I also thought that this was an important aspect of learning how people with Asperger's think (although I'm not sure how accurate it is, for example if this is an own voices novel). Overall I like Don and hope that he won't regret some of the changes he made for Rosie.
Rosie: I liked her fire and how she said what she thought. That being said, I think she often forgot that Don might need more straightforward hints rather than subtle flirting. I am happy they got together overall because they seem to even each other out. He is organized and she is spontaneous which is something I think every contemporary reader can understand.
Gene: Plain and simple this guy is a dick. I understand if they really did have an open marriage but at what point do you grow up and realize that your wife is waiting for you to get your shit together. I was glad that they fixed their problems, but I can't help the idea of once a liar always a liar.
Claudia: I think that she was sweet to wait for Gene to get his shit together, but she should have just come forward with the fact that she was over the idea of him sleeping around with whoever he could and ask for him to chose. Is that harsh? Maybe but it would have solved the whole issue.
Phil: He's a sweet guy overall and protected Rosie through the good times and bad. And while it seemed that he had broken many a promises but in reality he was in rehab dealing with an addiction. Although we don't know the whole story, I think he's a pretty good guy overall.
Moments to Remember:
First Line: "Incredible."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Lovely Bones
Author: Alice Sebold
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 328
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Year Published: 2006
Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)
"The Lovely Bones is the story of a family devastated by a gruesome murder-- a murder recounted by the teenage victim. Upsetting, you say? Remarkably, first- time novelist Alice Sebold takes this difficult material and delivers a compelling and accomplished exploration of a fractured family's need for peace and closure.
The details of the crime are laid out in the first few pages: from her vantage point in heaven, Susie Salmon describes how she was confronted by the murderer one December afternoon on her way home from school. Lured into an underground hiding place, she was raped and killed. But what the reader knows, her family does not. Anxiously, we keep vigil with Susie, aching for her grieving family, desperate for the killer to be found and punished.
Sebold creates a heaven that's calm and comforting, a place whose residents can have whatever they enjoyed when they were alive-- and then some. But Susie isn't ready to release her hold on life just yet, and she intensely watches her family and friends as they struggle to cope with a reality in which she is no longer a part. To her great credit, Sebold has shaped one of the most loving and sympathetic fathers in contemporary literature.
My Rating: 3.75/5
So I'm starting off this year with a lot of adult books that I'm reading. This book has been a long time coming, firstly because I've been listening to it on and off for about 2 and a half months. Why so long? Because it was my filler audiobook between books I was waiting for on Overdrive. So it took me a while to read this book, but it wasn't quite my favourite book. I really enjoyed the first half of this book where it deals with the families grief in the presence of the tragedy, but as time went on I just felt that the book was getting too drawn out. I was excited to see how the family changed over the years. Overall it was a good audiobook just not as great as I hoped that it would be.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This book has been out for over 10 years and I'm just now getting to it. I'm trying, honest to god. I've been reading this book on and off for about 2 months for the simple reason that it was a good filler book for in between other books I had on hold. This book tells the story of Susie Salmon who is brutally raped then murdered. It shows how her family copes with their grief and the mystery of the disappearance of the oldest Salmon child. I think that the audiobook does a great job of telling the story how the author imagined (mostly because the author is the narrator). This story does an interesting job of helping readers understand grief and acceptance of losing ones they love.
Characters:
Susie: She is an interesting perspective to follow from as she has an omniscient point of view for most of the storyline. She is all knowing and all seeing. She watches her family, friends, first love and killer grow up without her and sees a future she will never have. She gets to interact with those in her heaven as well but seems dead set on spending more of her time watching the living than anything else. I was happy that she was able to let go of her family and enjoy her heaven while they continued on in life.
Lindsey: I liked that she didn't take shit from anyone. Yes, she suffered the tragedy of losing her sister, but she was able to continue on bravely with Sam beside her. I loved them as a couple and was so excited to see them grow up together and get closer and closer.
Buckley: I wonder how he would have grown without his mother for a large part of his life, and then his mother coming back as he entered his preteens. That couldn't be easy for him.
Abigail (Mother): I understand why she did what she did, but it was extremely frustrating to hear about. I think the fact that she felt the need to run away and identifies Jack as being the stronger of the two of them was an interesting addition to the storyline. I do wonder if she would stay for the rest of their marriage though.
Jack (Father): He was strong enough to continue living while fighting to find his daughters killer. I was extremely frustrated that no believed that he could have guessed his daughters killer and that Harvey got away for such a long period of time. But it's not as though Susie was the first.
Ruth: I wonder how long she could see those who had passed into their heavens. Was it a constant thing or did it happen after Susie passed her? And how would it feel to leave your body to someone else and return knowing someone else had worn it (this sounds weird if you haven't read the book... I'm so sorry). I liked that she was unapologetically unique. She was so unique in her small town.
Sam: He and Lindsey were perfect for each other. They seemed to really even each other out. I wonder about their future but in a pleasant way where I don't need to see their future in writing to know that they would be happy.
Ray: I loved Ray as well, he dealt with being a suspect in a strong manner (especially with a strong as hell mother which is something I can appreciate). He and Ruth make an unusual pair of friends, but I love them.
Len: Not my favourite guy. He let Abigail in when she was grieving which is one thing, but maybe letting her sleep with you wasn't your best choice.
Grandma Lynn: Nothing like the drunk relative character. I enjoyed her as well. She told it how it was which is something I enjoyed listening to. I do wonder about her heaven.
George Harvey: This man is a sick freak. That's an understatement but the fact that we see some of his past was important to the storyline. He saw some things and did many more things that shouldn't have been seen or done. I was surprised how many murders and rapes he had committed without being caught, but at the same time, there was not the technology we have now to assist with solving crimes. I'm happy he met the end he did, although I hoped that he had driven right into the sinkhole and died from being crushed in surrounding eath, that would have a nice twinge of revenge to it. Cosmic revenge of course.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
