Monday, November 16, 2015

From Lies by Ann Anderson

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this fairy tale re-imagining. The characters felt well developed, and I liked that things were not fairy tale simple. The relationship between Rafe and both of his sister's was well done, and I appreciated the reasons he acted the way he did. It made sense within the context of the story. The love story did develop quickly, but it fit with the fairy tale theme, and it didn't bother me like it might have otherwise. A sweet story about love, and what we do for ourselves, and the people we care about. I loved the ending, and appreciated Rafe's actions, and his love's response. Kind of a nice change for all the plain happily ever after.

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The Werewolf of Grey Lake Inn by Megan Derr

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I liked this story. The paranormal aspects were interesting, and well developed. I was surprised by how much I liked Astor. I'm not usually a huge fan of vampires, but I appreciated how his prickly nature seemed to hide a pretty caring heart, and how he wasn't the typically controlling jerk. The werewolf biology was interesting, and I liked how the gender politics seemed better balanced than in a lot of stories. I did end up wishing for more of a ghost story, but I can appreciate how that played out in a different way. I did still have some questions left unanswered, and some things felt resolved in an unsatisfying way, but a good story overall.

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Dion's Redemption by J.D. Walker

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the idea of this story better than I ended up liking the story itself. I liked the relationship between Dion and his brother very much. Their bond felt real, and honest to me, and I appreciated that. I also liked the bond between Nolan, and his Grandfather. It was warm, and real, and I liked that. The relationship between Dion and Nolan felt a bit too forced to me, and Nolan's treatment of Dion was a bit too heavy handed, and almost patronizing for my tastes. I felt that Dion's changes came a bit out of nowhere, and I didn't buy into them fully. Dion's backstory was a bit much for me as well. A bit too action movie, and didn't feel real to me. The writing style added to that disconnected feeling. Not a bad story, but one that didn't really work for me either.

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Greenwode (The Wode, #1) by J. Tullos Hennig

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The mythology was well developed, and felt true to the times, and the cultures. I liked that it wasn't a case of one group being the "good guys" and the other being the "bad guys", but rather a meeting of different people, and cultures, and values. I liked how this book set the stage for what is to come. It let me understand the people involved, and the factors that shaped them into the figures that they become. I liked that it wasn't just about them as mythology, but them as people. People who make mistakes, and get things wrong. I appreciated the handling of the religious aspects, and how everyone's faith was treated with respect, and neither religion was treated as all good or all bad. I liked the progression of events, and I ended buying the next two books before I had finished this one. Always a good sign for me.

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The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I first read this story in it's short form, and while I liked it I felt like I wanted more. I was thrilled to see that the author had decided to expand this into a full novel, and I found I enjoyed it much more. Seeing events from both character's view gave me a much better understanding on who they were, and how they kept misunderstanding each other. How their past lives, and their experiences shaped who they were, and how they interacted with each other. While in the short story I felt like were able to come together too quickly, the novel let me see how each character learned to finally understand each other, and for love to grow. The plot was interesting, and well developed. I liked the complexity to the planning, and the problems that arise from language, and an inability to understand others. a really enjoyable fantasy story. I can't wait to read more.

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Sharing a Pond by Alex Whitehall

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I liked this story. I liked that it wasn't bogged down in a lot of unnecessary angst, and melancholy. There was a lightness to the characters, and the story telling. The gender issues were interesting, and given their due, and I appreciated that. I liked that it was about the three mean learning to know, and to trust each other. I liked that they were attempting to build a solid relationship together; one that wasn't based purely on biology, or destiny. A short story, but a well developed one. I'll be looking forward to reading more by this author.

Dragon Consultant by Mell Eight

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I am a sucker for Mell Eight's stories. I appreciate the sweetness to her stories, her characters, and their relationships. They are a guaranteed pick me up when I'm feeling down, and this story was exactly what I was looking for. I really liked the family of dragons, and how each of the little ones had their own distinct personality, and quirks. I liked that their past history had left it's mark on the kids, and that they didn't feel too much like stock little kids. I liked that the relationship wasn't the main focus of the story, and the mystery was front, and center. Considering what's going on in the story, and the characters it makes more sense to have it that way to me. Nothing smutty, but it seems like neither of them seemed like they were in the right headspace for that. That, and there were more pressing issues to be dealt with. I can't wait to read more of this series, and learn more about the characters, and their world.

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art credit: Dragon valley by AndreeWallin

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Friday, November 13, 2015

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

I loved this book. The chapter headings reminded me so much of the tropes that are so prevalent through much of ya these days, and gave me the idea that the author had done plenty of his own reading. I don't know why all the Finn's cracked me up but they did. I think if this had been all this book had been about it would have been the satire I expected, but the meat of the story was so much more than that.

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This is one of the most honest looks at high school I've ever read. A clear look on what it means to be young, and uncertain about who you are, and what you want. A refreshingly un-romanticized book that deals with problems like mental illness, eating disorders, sexuality, and sex in direct, and forthright way, and felt nothing like an after school special. I don't really want to say anything more because anything I say feels too much like I'd give too much away.

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Just know that there was a turn of events near the end of this story that cemented it's place on my favorites shelf. I loved it so hard. Also I'm really wishing for a sequel, no matter that I know that there isn't going to be one my heart still longs for it.

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Just read it!

Status Update by Annabeth Albert

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was a bit nervous about this book when I first requested it because Noah is described as ultraconservative, and it is safe to say I am not. I was pleasantly surprised by his character. I liked that he had a innocence, but he was in no way overly naïve or ignorant. I liked his dedication to his faith, and the struggle it was for him. His love of gaming was well done, and it was refreshing to read about an online game that actually felt like it was for hardcore gamers, and not just causal ones. I liked seeing Adrian and Noah learn to understand each other, and begin to fall in love. It felt like thing developed at a natural pace, and nothing felt like instant love, or too rushed to be believed. I loved the sweetness to the story. Not cloying, or saccharine just a nice story about two people finding each other, and themselves. I can't wait to read more.

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The Inn Between by Marina Cohen

I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchanger for an honest review.

I requested this book thinking that this was just the kind of book I would have loved to have read when I was younger. The mystery appealed to me, and I started reading it as soon as I was able to. I actually got to spend a beautiful November lunch reading this at a picnic table outside my local library reading this book. It was perfect, but I digress.

I really liked this book. Even though I was able, as an adult, to figure out where things were going pretty quickly I found that I didn't really care. I was able to let go, and enjoy the ride. The mysterious inn, the varied cast of characters, and I really enjoyed Quinn and Kara's friendship. The story did a good job raising larger issues of guilt, fear, family, and responsibility without feeling like a morality tale or an afterschool special. The plot was fast paced, and the writing style descriptive an engaging. Once I picked it up I had a hard time putting it down. The ending was well done, and I appreciated the touch of ambiguity. Nothing too open ended, but enough that I was still wondering a bit. A truly memorable, and atmospheric tale. One that I think will work for older readers as well as younger ones.

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