Thursday, September 24, 2015
Until There Was you by J.J. Bamber
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I suppose if I was a different sort of person I would suppress my desire to make mean spirited, and snarky comments. I suppose that my first instinct would be to make encouraging, supportive, and helpful comments in my review instead. Let's be honest though, I'm not that sort of person, and I don't write those kind of reviews.
This book didn't work for me at all, on any level. One of my biggest problems was the lack of setting. I didn't know where this book took place, and it made me feel unmoored and restless. The banking details felt wrong to me, working in a bank I know that a joint account absolutely can be closed by one of the people on the account not both. I'm not sure if that's just this state, or others, but it was one of those little things that bothered me. The main character also talks about his father building boats, and how much he hates boats, but he never says what kind of boats. Rowboats? Canoes? Sail boats? Yacht? Tugboats? I live in coastal Maine, boats is unhelpfully vague, and threw me out of the story a bit. The writing style felt stilted, and awkward. It never drew me into the characters or their world at all. For me the dialogue was the worst part, and it left me feeling like I was reading some sort of self help, inspirational, Nicolas Sparks-y sort of book. Or how I imagine Nicholas Sparks would read.
The characters felt just as wooden as the dialogue. The main character came across as weak, and whiny, and never really grew in my mind. It seems like someone always has to step in to help him, or save him, and it did not endear him to me at all. Also can I end by saying how much it irritated me that the main character made such a big deal about his son saying stupid, and then made a throw away comment that a student thinking he was crazy, and his love interest saying he was OCD because he was more neat and clean than the love interest. For a character who doesn't approve of snark, and meanness it seems pretty hypocritical. Just saying. There was more than a touch of the special snowflake to him. I don't care how many teenage girls love your book, you walk into a high school classroom chances are you are not going to be greeted with that much warm enthusiasm. Also I'm pretty sure that your best friend the high school Principal can not just hire you, especially if you have NO qualifications, pretty much on the spot to be the guidance councilor. I'm not an expert, but I don't think that's how that works. The love interest was dull, and insipid, and seemed to be there mostly to tell the mc how great he was. The child annoyed me to no end. Too wise, too perceptive at one moment than extra childish the next. The mc didn't ever seem to do all that much parenting, and the child mostly was shown when needed by the plot. The secondary cast was just as bad if not worse, and didn't add much to the story at all.
The plot was dull, and it felt like I was dragging myself through much of this book. Problems seemed too easily resolved, and characters would make sudden changes with no real motivation or explanation. The main character's father was the worst, going from raging homophobe in one little vignette to accepting in the next. That was my last problem. The story moved along until close to the end when suddenly we have these short little vignettes with time skips, and events. I was already feeling distanced, and distracted, and this sort of broken up ending didn't help matters any. It was the final nail in the coffin of this book for me really.
In the end I could see where the author wanted to go with this book, and what they wanted to accomplish, but it didn't work for me. It felt too cheesy, to plastic, to processed to be real to me. Too much of a think happy thoughts kind of thing, and not enough about making real changes.
mle
I suppose if I was a different sort of person I would suppress my desire to make mean spirited, and snarky comments. I suppose that my first instinct would be to make encouraging, supportive, and helpful comments in my review instead. Let's be honest though, I'm not that sort of person, and I don't write those kind of reviews.
This book didn't work for me at all, on any level. One of my biggest problems was the lack of setting. I didn't know where this book took place, and it made me feel unmoored and restless. The banking details felt wrong to me, working in a bank I know that a joint account absolutely can be closed by one of the people on the account not both. I'm not sure if that's just this state, or others, but it was one of those little things that bothered me. The main character also talks about his father building boats, and how much he hates boats, but he never says what kind of boats. Rowboats? Canoes? Sail boats? Yacht? Tugboats? I live in coastal Maine, boats is unhelpfully vague, and threw me out of the story a bit. The writing style felt stilted, and awkward. It never drew me into the characters or their world at all. For me the dialogue was the worst part, and it left me feeling like I was reading some sort of self help, inspirational, Nicolas Sparks-y sort of book. Or how I imagine Nicholas Sparks would read.
The characters felt just as wooden as the dialogue. The main character came across as weak, and whiny, and never really grew in my mind. It seems like someone always has to step in to help him, or save him, and it did not endear him to me at all. Also can I end by saying how much it irritated me that the main character made such a big deal about his son saying stupid, and then made a throw away comment that a student thinking he was crazy, and his love interest saying he was OCD because he was more neat and clean than the love interest. For a character who doesn't approve of snark, and meanness it seems pretty hypocritical. Just saying. There was more than a touch of the special snowflake to him. I don't care how many teenage girls love your book, you walk into a high school classroom chances are you are not going to be greeted with that much warm enthusiasm. Also I'm pretty sure that your best friend the high school Principal can not just hire you, especially if you have NO qualifications, pretty much on the spot to be the guidance councilor. I'm not an expert, but I don't think that's how that works. The love interest was dull, and insipid, and seemed to be there mostly to tell the mc how great he was. The child annoyed me to no end. Too wise, too perceptive at one moment than extra childish the next. The mc didn't ever seem to do all that much parenting, and the child mostly was shown when needed by the plot. The secondary cast was just as bad if not worse, and didn't add much to the story at all.
The plot was dull, and it felt like I was dragging myself through much of this book. Problems seemed too easily resolved, and characters would make sudden changes with no real motivation or explanation. The main character's father was the worst, going from raging homophobe in one little vignette to accepting in the next. That was my last problem. The story moved along until close to the end when suddenly we have these short little vignettes with time skips, and events. I was already feeling distanced, and distracted, and this sort of broken up ending didn't help matters any. It was the final nail in the coffin of this book for me really.
In the end I could see where the author wanted to go with this book, and what they wanted to accomplish, but it didn't work for me. It felt too cheesy, to plastic, to processed to be real to me. Too much of a think happy thoughts kind of thing, and not enough about making real changes.
mle
Friday, September 18, 2015
From the Stars They Fell by H.R. Harrison
I received this book as an ARC though Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the blend of fantasy, and science fiction in this book. I liked that Veni was from a much more technologically advanced civilization, and race that they never looked down on the people they met. They were curious, and open, and willing to learn from those around them, and I appreciated that. I liked their developing relationship with Wystan. I liked how Veni treasured the things that made Wystan different, and left him a bit isolated from the people around him. The plot was nicely developed, but I wasn't wild about the resolution. I appreciate that there were no easy answers, and that Veni was forced to make a very difficult decision. I didn't like that Veni seemed to forget the larger implications of his decision. Overall a good story about the meeting of races and cultures.
mle
I liked the blend of fantasy, and science fiction in this book. I liked that Veni was from a much more technologically advanced civilization, and race that they never looked down on the people they met. They were curious, and open, and willing to learn from those around them, and I appreciated that. I liked their developing relationship with Wystan. I liked how Veni treasured the things that made Wystan different, and left him a bit isolated from the people around him. The plot was nicely developed, but I wasn't wild about the resolution. I appreciate that there were no easy answers, and that Veni was forced to make a very difficult decision. I didn't like that Veni seemed to forget the larger implications of his decision. Overall a good story about the meeting of races and cultures.
mle
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
I'm not quite sure why I waited this long to read this. Most likely because I forgot I had it, but that was my mistake. I really liked this story. The writing was beautiful, and almost poetic in spots, and I loved that. It really helped set the mood. I found the characters to be engaging, and real. I liked seeing both men grow closer together, and I appreciated how open they were with each other. I really liked Edwin, and his insecurities. I liked his thought process, and I was fascinated with his work. I found the descriptions of the process to be very soothing.
I liked the secondary cast very much. They added quite a bit to such a short story, and I appreciated that the story was about more than Edwin meeting someone, and falling in love. I found the resolution to be nicely done, and it fit the tone of the story very well. Overall a very well developed novella.
I'm not quite sure why I waited this long to read this. Most likely because I forgot I had it, but that was my mistake. I really liked this story. The writing was beautiful, and almost poetic in spots, and I loved that. It really helped set the mood. I found the characters to be engaging, and real. I liked seeing both men grow closer together, and I appreciated how open they were with each other. I really liked Edwin, and his insecurities. I liked his thought process, and I was fascinated with his work. I found the descriptions of the process to be very soothing.
I liked the secondary cast very much. They added quite a bit to such a short story, and I appreciated that the story was about more than Edwin meeting someone, and falling in love. I found the resolution to be nicely done, and it fit the tone of the story very well. Overall a very well developed novella.
mle
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
The Neighbor by Bernadette Chapman
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book. I liked seeing Anders and Finn getting to know each other. I liked that Finn wasn't out to change or fix Anders just to open his horizons. It was a nice change of pace. I liked both characters, and watching them fall in love was really sweet. Just what I wanted to read on a long car ride on a dreary day. Nothing too heavy, or too complicated just a fun, short read.
mle
I liked this book. I liked seeing Anders and Finn getting to know each other. I liked that Finn wasn't out to change or fix Anders just to open his horizons. It was a nice change of pace. I liked both characters, and watching them fall in love was really sweet. Just what I wanted to read on a long car ride on a dreary day. Nothing too heavy, or too complicated just a fun, short read.
mle
Percolation, Poetry, and Passion by A.V. Sanders
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book felt more like the outline of a story than an actual story. Even for a short piece it felt incomplete, and sketchy. I never felt like I had a good feel for the characters, especially Simon. Too much of a rich stereotype, and not enough like a real person. The plot moved in fits and spurts, and it went too quickly from them hooking up to them going home to meet Beckett's family. Simon's jealousy felt over the top, and I think Beckett was too quick to forgive him for acting so possessive. The secondary cast felt even less developed than the primary, Beckett's mother in particular, and they didn't add to the story at all. I never felt like I could connect with any of this, and I never cared enough to really dislike it. There just wasn't enough there.
mle
I thought this book felt more like the outline of a story than an actual story. Even for a short piece it felt incomplete, and sketchy. I never felt like I had a good feel for the characters, especially Simon. Too much of a rich stereotype, and not enough like a real person. The plot moved in fits and spurts, and it went too quickly from them hooking up to them going home to meet Beckett's family. Simon's jealousy felt over the top, and I think Beckett was too quick to forgive him for acting so possessive. The secondary cast felt even less developed than the primary, Beckett's mother in particular, and they didn't add to the story at all. I never felt like I could connect with any of this, and I never cared enough to really dislike it. There just wasn't enough there.
mle
A Demon Inside by Rick R. Reed
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the scary aspects of this very much, and the idea of the house was interesting, but the characters didn't work for me at all. I found Hunter to be a very unlikeable character. Sheltered, and naïve, but also more than a bit petulant and childish. His mood swings seemed to come out of nowhere. I might have felt bad for him at first that quickly went away when I saw the way he treated pretty much everyone else in the book. I wasn't a big fan of Michael either, and found him to be a bit too pushy. I also didn't like the way he hid things from Hunter, but still treated him like he was crazy. I found their romance to be very unbelievable, and it felt very forced to me. The ending especially felt like it came a bit out of nowhere, and it left me feeling very satisfied. I think if Michael and Hunter had remained friends it would have worked better for me.
In the end I was probably the only one, but I was rooting for the demon and the house.
mle
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the scary aspects of this very much, and the idea of the house was interesting, but the characters didn't work for me at all. I found Hunter to be a very unlikeable character. Sheltered, and naïve, but also more than a bit petulant and childish. His mood swings seemed to come out of nowhere. I might have felt bad for him at first that quickly went away when I saw the way he treated pretty much everyone else in the book. I wasn't a big fan of Michael either, and found him to be a bit too pushy. I also didn't like the way he hid things from Hunter, but still treated him like he was crazy. I found their romance to be very unbelievable, and it felt very forced to me. The ending especially felt like it came a bit out of nowhere, and it left me feeling very satisfied. I think if Michael and Hunter had remained friends it would have worked better for me.
In the end I was probably the only one, but I was rooting for the demon and the house.
mle
Dark Economy by M. Keedwell
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book. I loved that it was the mystery that drove the plot, and not the romance. It made for a much stronger story in my opinion. I liked the way the romance developed as well. That Cadell and Brenton had to learn to trust, and understand each other before any real romance started. There might have been attraction before, but there wasn't any of the silly instant love. I liked that the story felt very grounded in the time period, and I found the medical and police procedure really interesting. It also let me really feel how men like Cadell were treated at the time, and how that shaped the way they thought about relationships, and love. The characters were well rounded, and developed, and I liked that it extended to the secondary cast as well. There were no easy villains, and everyone was more than they first appeared to be, and this was true for both the upper, and lower cast characters. The ending was well done, and fit the story nicely. Overall a nice period mystery with a nice touch of romance.
mle
I really liked this book. I loved that it was the mystery that drove the plot, and not the romance. It made for a much stronger story in my opinion. I liked the way the romance developed as well. That Cadell and Brenton had to learn to trust, and understand each other before any real romance started. There might have been attraction before, but there wasn't any of the silly instant love. I liked that the story felt very grounded in the time period, and I found the medical and police procedure really interesting. It also let me really feel how men like Cadell were treated at the time, and how that shaped the way they thought about relationships, and love. The characters were well rounded, and developed, and I liked that it extended to the secondary cast as well. There were no easy villains, and everyone was more than they first appeared to be, and this was true for both the upper, and lower cast characters. The ending was well done, and fit the story nicely. Overall a nice period mystery with a nice touch of romance.
mle
Friday, September 4, 2015
Mad About the Hatter by Dakota Chase
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book, and how the author was able to retain the feel of the original book so well. The blend of nonsense and danger was well done, and Wonderland never felt too silly or too angsty. I had a little trouble understanding Henry at first, but once I got a feeling for his character, and his family I grew to like him. I helped that his time in Wonderland really forces him to open his eyes, and his mind, and he grows a lot over the course of the story. I liked how the Hatter was done. He was more than a bit mad, but not too over the top. He was a very human character, and I appreciated that. I liked seeing them learn to trust, and understand each other over the course of the story. It was a sweet, slow romance. The plot was well drawn, and paced, and I liked that the romance was only part of the story, and it never overtook the main plot. The ending was well done, and fit the feeling of the story well. Overall a fun ya story with a interesting cast, and plot.
mle
I really liked this book, and how the author was able to retain the feel of the original book so well. The blend of nonsense and danger was well done, and Wonderland never felt too silly or too angsty. I had a little trouble understanding Henry at first, but once I got a feeling for his character, and his family I grew to like him. I helped that his time in Wonderland really forces him to open his eyes, and his mind, and he grows a lot over the course of the story. I liked how the Hatter was done. He was more than a bit mad, but not too over the top. He was a very human character, and I appreciated that. I liked seeing them learn to trust, and understand each other over the course of the story. It was a sweet, slow romance. The plot was well drawn, and paced, and I liked that the romance was only part of the story, and it never overtook the main plot. The ending was well done, and fit the feeling of the story well. Overall a fun ya story with a interesting cast, and plot.
mle
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The Oracle series by Mell Eight
The Oracle's Flame
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There is something I really like about Mell Eight's books. There's a sweetness to her fantasy that's endearing rather than annoying, and I liked that as sweet as it can be the stories aren't without real danger, and consequences. I liked the characters, and I liked seeing them grow closer together. The plot had a nice arc to it, and even thought I thought some of the ending was a little out of left field I could still enjoy the story. A nice start to a new series.
art credit - Dragon Tea by freeminds
The Oracle's Hatchling
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book. I found Ling to be a relatable character, and I liked that the cruel way in which he was treated didn't make him a hard or a cold person. I liked how he reached out to the Prince, and how the two men learned to trust in each other. The plot was well done, and I liked that it was about more than brute force, but about trust, and openness, and learning to have faith in others. The ending was well done, and fit the mood of the story, and the characters well.
art credit - Element Butterfly by GrafixGirlIreland
The Oracle's Golem
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is my favorite of the series so far. I liked the story of what happened to Golem, and the choices that the Oracle was forced to make. It added a touch of darkness to an otherwise sweet series, and gave it a nice balance. I liked how things weren't as simple as they first appeared, and sometimes bad things have to happen in order for better things to come. I liked that the story wasn't simply about Marl and Golem, but about Lichen and the Oracle as well. I really liked Marl, and how he didn't let not being the strongest stop him from learning his element to the best of his ability. The plot to this story was nicely paced, and I really liked how things turned out. Can't wait to read the next one.
art credit - Earth Dragon by koneko no arashi
The Oracle's Sprite
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn, and interesting, and I liked how Keir always knew that there was something special about Sprite. I liked seeing Sprite grow, and just how much Keir gives him strength. The plot was well done, and I appreciate that Sprite's home is far from perfect, and that the series has been tackling the problems there more and more. The ending was well done, and I'm really looking forward to the next book. I can't wait for Lichen to have his own story.
art credit - Blue Cloud Dragon by John Avon
mle
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There is something I really like about Mell Eight's books. There's a sweetness to her fantasy that's endearing rather than annoying, and I liked that as sweet as it can be the stories aren't without real danger, and consequences. I liked the characters, and I liked seeing them grow closer together. The plot had a nice arc to it, and even thought I thought some of the ending was a little out of left field I could still enjoy the story. A nice start to a new series.
art credit - Dragon Tea by freeminds
The Oracle's Hatchling
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book. I found Ling to be a relatable character, and I liked that the cruel way in which he was treated didn't make him a hard or a cold person. I liked how he reached out to the Prince, and how the two men learned to trust in each other. The plot was well done, and I liked that it was about more than brute force, but about trust, and openness, and learning to have faith in others. The ending was well done, and fit the mood of the story, and the characters well.
art credit - Element Butterfly by GrafixGirlIreland
The Oracle's Golem
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is my favorite of the series so far. I liked the story of what happened to Golem, and the choices that the Oracle was forced to make. It added a touch of darkness to an otherwise sweet series, and gave it a nice balance. I liked how things weren't as simple as they first appeared, and sometimes bad things have to happen in order for better things to come. I liked that the story wasn't simply about Marl and Golem, but about Lichen and the Oracle as well. I really liked Marl, and how he didn't let not being the strongest stop him from learning his element to the best of his ability. The plot to this story was nicely paced, and I really liked how things turned out. Can't wait to read the next one.
art credit - Earth Dragon by koneko no arashi
The Oracle's Sprite
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book. The characters were well drawn, and interesting, and I liked how Keir always knew that there was something special about Sprite. I liked seeing Sprite grow, and just how much Keir gives him strength. The plot was well done, and I appreciate that Sprite's home is far from perfect, and that the series has been tackling the problems there more and more. The ending was well done, and I'm really looking forward to the next book. I can't wait for Lichen to have his own story.
art credit - Blue Cloud Dragon by John Avon
mle
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