- Janina Franck
"Griffin sighed and looked over the ocean beyond the docks. There was so much more for him out there. He thought about the many drawings and stories he had made as a child." - Taken from the book.
Let me begin by saying that though I love to watch pirate movies, I don't necessarily care to read about them. They're just not my thing, however, I do enjoy adventure reads, and I really enjoy coming of age reads, and this one seems to be a two for one. I was not disappointed.
The book begins with the story of the curse of Captain Black Shadow and then goes on to introduce the main character Griffin and his desire to take the reigns of his own life and finally get off of his family's island, sadly, things do not go as planned. From there, the adventure begins.
If I had anything to say against this particular read it would have to be that the chapters are extremely long, and at times the writing seemed a bit underwhelming, to say the least. However, this is certainly a book that will suck you in if you stick with it and give it a chance.
From what I can understand, this is Franck's first novel, and more than anything, I look forward to what this author comes out with in the future, and I'm excited to see their writing improve over the years.
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Trials of Apollo; The Hidden Oracle.
-Rick Riordan
"I turned towards my pint-sized saviour. I was no stranger to dangerous women. My sister could rain down arrows of death. My stepmother, Hera, regularly drove mortals mad so that they would hack each other to pieces. But this garbage wielding twelve-year-old made me nervous." -Taken from the book.
Let me begin by saying that I loved the PJO series, simply because I loved Percy. However, when RR decided to mix things up and throw in others perspectives in HoO, I was not a fan. So, going into this read, I was a little apprehensive.
That being said, I'm glad that I did give this series a chance. This book was both hilarious and sobering. There is something most definitely enticing about getting a glance at the inner monologue of a fallen god.
More than that, I enjoyed being able to witness the character development of Apollo, as well as his cheeky sidekick (though, technically, Apollo would be the sidekick in this story), Meg.
Meg was probably, my favourite part of this story, and watching her character grow into its own, was just as enjoyable as watching Apollo become humanized.
All in all, this was a fun read, and I would recommend you all to pick it up and keep warm & read.
"I turned towards my pint-sized saviour. I was no stranger to dangerous women. My sister could rain down arrows of death. My stepmother, Hera, regularly drove mortals mad so that they would hack each other to pieces. But this garbage wielding twelve-year-old made me nervous." -Taken from the book.
Let me begin by saying that I loved the PJO series, simply because I loved Percy. However, when RR decided to mix things up and throw in others perspectives in HoO, I was not a fan. So, going into this read, I was a little apprehensive.
That being said, I'm glad that I did give this series a chance. This book was both hilarious and sobering. There is something most definitely enticing about getting a glance at the inner monologue of a fallen god.
More than that, I enjoyed being able to witness the character development of Apollo, as well as his cheeky sidekick (though, technically, Apollo would be the sidekick in this story), Meg.
Meg was probably, my favourite part of this story, and watching her character grow into its own, was just as enjoyable as watching Apollo become humanized.
All in all, this was a fun read, and I would recommend you all to pick it up and keep warm & read.
Monday, 8 August 2016
Complicit.
-Stephanie Kuehn
"He hasn't noticed my hands yet. They're completely numb and useless... it can take hours to get feeling back, a whole day even... I shake my head and try to keep breathing. This is not what I needed. Not now." - Taken directly from the book.
This book was nothing like I expected it to be, and I am thankful. Every time that I thought that I was finally getting a handle on the mystery within the story, I was thrown for a loop.
I loved the complicity of Jamie and Cate's relationship, and how their interactions throughout the novel brought sibling rivalry to a whole new level. I loved the versatility of this read and that along with the heavy moments, there were parts that could be laughed at and parts that made you go, "aw" as well as, "oh my god!".
The book flowed in a natural easy to enjoy way and I was engaged and captivated from page one. However, if there were one thing I'd like to change about this read, it'd be the ending. There was no justice, there was no closure, and by the last page, I was left feeling slightly disheartened. That being said, I encourage you all to give this book a try and to keep warm and read. I am certain that you'll find something in this story to fall in love with, and if you don't, I'd love to hear about it.
"He hasn't noticed my hands yet. They're completely numb and useless... it can take hours to get feeling back, a whole day even... I shake my head and try to keep breathing. This is not what I needed. Not now." - Taken directly from the book.
This book was nothing like I expected it to be, and I am thankful. Every time that I thought that I was finally getting a handle on the mystery within the story, I was thrown for a loop.
I loved the complicity of Jamie and Cate's relationship, and how their interactions throughout the novel brought sibling rivalry to a whole new level. I loved the versatility of this read and that along with the heavy moments, there were parts that could be laughed at and parts that made you go, "aw" as well as, "oh my god!".
The book flowed in a natural easy to enjoy way and I was engaged and captivated from page one. However, if there were one thing I'd like to change about this read, it'd be the ending. There was no justice, there was no closure, and by the last page, I was left feeling slightly disheartened. That being said, I encourage you all to give this book a try and to keep warm and read. I am certain that you'll find something in this story to fall in love with, and if you don't, I'd love to hear about it.
Tuesday, 26 July 2016
F*CK! I'm In My Twenties
- Emma Koenig
"Everyone has that moment-- the realization that adulthood has arrived, like a runaway train, and there's no getting out of its way. In an attempt to express the contradictions and anxieties that come with being over-educated, minimally employed, mostly single, and on your own, Emma Koenig turned to blogosphere..." - Taken from the back of the book.
Let me start off by saying that this was a nice break from heavier, more plot filled reads. F*CK! I'm In My Twenties is perfect for those looking for a quick, light, summer read. Not to mention that it is both humorous and relatable.
This read seems to have perfectly captured the fact that despite what the laws may say, being in your 20's isn't an automatic adult pass. I'm sorry to say, but despite what you might think or feel, you are not the exception to the rule, and that's okay, that's a realization that everyone will come to eventually. You are not the only who does not have their shit together.
Predictably, even with the good things, comes the bad things. I liked this read for a few reasons, but that doesn't mean that it was above being disliked for a few reasons as well. There were a lot of porn/sex jokes, which personally, made me feel uncomfortable, and more than a few of the jokes made fell flat. However, due to the fact that this book is essentially a mock autobiography made up of weird drawings, this can be excused.
All in all, I'd recommend this book to those willing to read it. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and all I can do is sincerely encourage you to keep warm & read.
"Everyone has that moment-- the realization that adulthood has arrived, like a runaway train, and there's no getting out of its way. In an attempt to express the contradictions and anxieties that come with being over-educated, minimally employed, mostly single, and on your own, Emma Koenig turned to blogosphere..." - Taken from the back of the book.
Let me start off by saying that this was a nice break from heavier, more plot filled reads. F*CK! I'm In My Twenties is perfect for those looking for a quick, light, summer read. Not to mention that it is both humorous and relatable.
This read seems to have perfectly captured the fact that despite what the laws may say, being in your 20's isn't an automatic adult pass. I'm sorry to say, but despite what you might think or feel, you are not the exception to the rule, and that's okay, that's a realization that everyone will come to eventually. You are not the only who does not have their shit together.
Predictably, even with the good things, comes the bad things. I liked this read for a few reasons, but that doesn't mean that it was above being disliked for a few reasons as well. There were a lot of porn/sex jokes, which personally, made me feel uncomfortable, and more than a few of the jokes made fell flat. However, due to the fact that this book is essentially a mock autobiography made up of weird drawings, this can be excused.
All in all, I'd recommend this book to those willing to read it. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and all I can do is sincerely encourage you to keep warm & read.
Monday, 11 July 2016
Don't You Cry.
- Mary Kubica.
"It's dark by the time I leave the apartment of Nicholas Keller. It's darker than dark. It's pitch-black, a starless November night, the sky an inky black." - Taken directly from the book.
Let me start off by saying that according to the blurbs on this book, this story was "rightfully" compared to the likes of, Single White Female and Gone Girl. The story was good, the twists unsuspecting, the suspense was done well, but I wouldn't compare it to either of the two pieces mentioned above. Though, I can certainly see where the author got her inspiration from.
This story is told from two separate perspectives, forcing us (the readers) to piece together what we can from the hints and clues discovered (or ignored, or grossly overexaggerated) by the two protagonists; Quinn, a young woman who works at a job she hates, and an unreliable roommate to the now missing Esther Vaughan, as well as Alex, a kid in a dead end town, working a dead end job, who's only form of entertainment is gawking at the town's newest drifter.
If I'm being brutally honest, as someone who enjoys reading in first person narrative, I'm disheartened to admit that Kubica could have done a much better job. Instead of using this as a tool to grant the readers a better insight into the characters minds and allow for us to relate better to them on a deeper, more emotional level, the experience was slightly stilted and awkward due to the switch in perspectives and forced use of descriptive/fake deep/poetic wording.
That being said, the mystery of EV versus Esther Vaughan was most definitely an interesting one. The notion that these two strangers are connected by this one woman that neither of them truly know, yet once thought that they did so well, was what kept me reading until the very end despite the hiccups along the way. How Kubica managed to seamlessly tie together these two stories that although obviously connected in some way, still left the readers guessing as to what exactly was going on leading up to the final ten or so pages, rightfully deserves applaud.
All in all, this was a good read, the story was interesting if not drawn out and slightly annoying in parts. I would most definitly recommend this as a light summer read, but don't expect it to get your heaert racing or palms sweaty. In the end though, this is only my opinion, and so I encourage you all to form your own, and keep warm & read.
Reviews will be posted twice monthly. Once near the beginning of the month, and then again near the end.
"It's dark by the time I leave the apartment of Nicholas Keller. It's darker than dark. It's pitch-black, a starless November night, the sky an inky black." - Taken directly from the book.
Let me start off by saying that according to the blurbs on this book, this story was "rightfully" compared to the likes of, Single White Female and Gone Girl. The story was good, the twists unsuspecting, the suspense was done well, but I wouldn't compare it to either of the two pieces mentioned above. Though, I can certainly see where the author got her inspiration from.
This story is told from two separate perspectives, forcing us (the readers) to piece together what we can from the hints and clues discovered (or ignored, or grossly overexaggerated) by the two protagonists; Quinn, a young woman who works at a job she hates, and an unreliable roommate to the now missing Esther Vaughan, as well as Alex, a kid in a dead end town, working a dead end job, who's only form of entertainment is gawking at the town's newest drifter.
If I'm being brutally honest, as someone who enjoys reading in first person narrative, I'm disheartened to admit that Kubica could have done a much better job. Instead of using this as a tool to grant the readers a better insight into the characters minds and allow for us to relate better to them on a deeper, more emotional level, the experience was slightly stilted and awkward due to the switch in perspectives and forced use of descriptive/fake deep/poetic wording.
That being said, the mystery of EV versus Esther Vaughan was most definitely an interesting one. The notion that these two strangers are connected by this one woman that neither of them truly know, yet once thought that they did so well, was what kept me reading until the very end despite the hiccups along the way. How Kubica managed to seamlessly tie together these two stories that although obviously connected in some way, still left the readers guessing as to what exactly was going on leading up to the final ten or so pages, rightfully deserves applaud.
All in all, this was a good read, the story was interesting if not drawn out and slightly annoying in parts. I would most definitly recommend this as a light summer read, but don't expect it to get your heaert racing or palms sweaty. In the end though, this is only my opinion, and so I encourage you all to form your own, and keep warm & read.
Reviews will be posted twice monthly. Once near the beginning of the month, and then again near the end.
Monday, 27 June 2016
She Loves You, She Loves You Not...
- Julie Anne Peters
"Seventeen-year-old Alyssa thought she knew who she was. She had her family her best friends and, most important, she had Sarah." -Taken from the book.
The first time I read this book I was a wreck, not necessarily because of its groundbreaking or earth-shattering contents, but because it hit a little too close to home. I opened this book for the first time when I was eighteen years old and had just experienced my first heartbreak. That being said, upon my second encounter with this story, I was able to look past my own emotional baggage, and get lost in Alyssa's.
Alyssa is exactly what you'd expect from your typical seventeen-year-old to be completely honest, she cares about her friends, is a part of a few school committees and, you guessed it, still in the closet.
In all honesty, I found the main character a bit boring, the most interesting thing about her was the circumstances that caused her downward spiral, and even that was a bit far-fetched. Yet, I was still able to find the story pretty enjoyable. Partially due to the people that she has chosen to surround herself with and partly due to the choices that she ends up making throughout the story. However, it really isn't until closer to the end that Alyssa becomes less of an annoying concept and more of an actual character to me.
Basically, if you like to like your protagonists then maybe don't read this book, however, if you're willing to look past that and instead let the story itself unfurl before you, then you might find that this is just as enjoyable a read as any of Peters' other books. In the end, it's your choice, though, so please remember to form your own opinions and keep warm & read.
I would love to hear you thoughts on this one whether you agree or not.
"Seventeen-year-old Alyssa thought she knew who she was. She had her family her best friends and, most important, she had Sarah." -Taken from the book.
The first time I read this book I was a wreck, not necessarily because of its groundbreaking or earth-shattering contents, but because it hit a little too close to home. I opened this book for the first time when I was eighteen years old and had just experienced my first heartbreak. That being said, upon my second encounter with this story, I was able to look past my own emotional baggage, and get lost in Alyssa's.
Alyssa is exactly what you'd expect from your typical seventeen-year-old to be completely honest, she cares about her friends, is a part of a few school committees and, you guessed it, still in the closet.
In all honesty, I found the main character a bit boring, the most interesting thing about her was the circumstances that caused her downward spiral, and even that was a bit far-fetched. Yet, I was still able to find the story pretty enjoyable. Partially due to the people that she has chosen to surround herself with and partly due to the choices that she ends up making throughout the story. However, it really isn't until closer to the end that Alyssa becomes less of an annoying concept and more of an actual character to me.
Basically, if you like to like your protagonists then maybe don't read this book, however, if you're willing to look past that and instead let the story itself unfurl before you, then you might find that this is just as enjoyable a read as any of Peters' other books. In the end, it's your choice, though, so please remember to form your own opinions and keep warm & read.
I would love to hear you thoughts on this one whether you agree or not.
Monday, 6 June 2016
Incarceron
-Catherine Fisher
"This prison is alive"- taken from the cover of the book.
I'm going to be completely honest in saying that this book was 100% originally purchased because of the cover. The metallic detail over the black background drew me in instantly.
This is a futuristic novel with an old-timey twist and the magic of other worlds. It started off a bit slow, and admittedly there were moments in the story where I found myself zoning out. However, I also found myself being held captivated not only by the mystical prison and it's very few inhabitants, but also in this new society that was neither a dystopia nor a paradise.
If you're someone who is not a fan of unnecessary romantic relationships in your action reads (like I am) then this certainly is the book for you. If you're a fan of unexpected betrayal, then this is the book for you. If you're a fan of defiant women, a complex plot, and manly men who are not afraid to show what they're really feeling then I'd say that this is the book for you.
However, if you're not into big reads, and series, then maybe don't pick up this book. If you don't like the idea of reading about slight torture or heavy angst-ridden characters, then this might not be the book/series for you.
Ultimately, if I'm being asked if I would recommend this book for you guys to read, I'd say, yeah, why not. However, I'd also like to make a disclaimer that my sister purchased this book for me back in 2012 and since then I have not re-read this book (though I think about it often and fondly) and I have not bothered to purchase the second book (simply because every time I had the opportunity to I found a book that I was more willing to spend the $20.00 on). That being said, this story is just as satisfying as a stand alone. Bottom line is, form your own opinions, tell me what you think, and remember to keep warm & read.
"This prison is alive"- taken from the cover of the book.
I'm going to be completely honest in saying that this book was 100% originally purchased because of the cover. The metallic detail over the black background drew me in instantly.
This is a futuristic novel with an old-timey twist and the magic of other worlds. It started off a bit slow, and admittedly there were moments in the story where I found myself zoning out. However, I also found myself being held captivated not only by the mystical prison and it's very few inhabitants, but also in this new society that was neither a dystopia nor a paradise.
If you're someone who is not a fan of unnecessary romantic relationships in your action reads (like I am) then this certainly is the book for you. If you're a fan of unexpected betrayal, then this is the book for you. If you're a fan of defiant women, a complex plot, and manly men who are not afraid to show what they're really feeling then I'd say that this is the book for you.
However, if you're not into big reads, and series, then maybe don't pick up this book. If you don't like the idea of reading about slight torture or heavy angst-ridden characters, then this might not be the book/series for you.
Ultimately, if I'm being asked if I would recommend this book for you guys to read, I'd say, yeah, why not. However, I'd also like to make a disclaimer that my sister purchased this book for me back in 2012 and since then I have not re-read this book (though I think about it often and fondly) and I have not bothered to purchase the second book (simply because every time I had the opportunity to I found a book that I was more willing to spend the $20.00 on). That being said, this story is just as satisfying as a stand alone. Bottom line is, form your own opinions, tell me what you think, and remember to keep warm & read.
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