Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Blurb: Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Blurb: Growing up as best friends in small-town New Hampshire, Jon and Chloe are the only ones who truly understand each other, though they can never find the words to tell one another the depth of their feelings. When Jon is finally ready to confess his feelings, he's suddenly kidnapped by his substitute teacher who is obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft and has a plot to save humanity.
When Jon finally escapes, he discovers he now has an uncontrollable power that endangers anyone he has intense feelings for. He runs away to protect Chloe and find the answers to his new identity--but he's soon being tracked by a detective who is fascinated by a series of vigilante killings that appear connected.
My Musings: While lacking the "edge-of-your-seat suspense" of Kepnes's previous novel, You, I still really enjoyed Providence. Both Jon and Chloe were very complex and realistic characters. The confusing and conflicting feelings Jon suffers, as well as the intrigue of his new powers made for a great story. Kepnes succeeds so well at grey characters.
I wish that there were not so many loose threads at the end of the novel, but at the same time I also didn't feel like I was left hanging. This novel is one of the few that worked so well with multiple narratives. Everything was great, I hope we get a sequel!
I was excited to check out Andy Weir's second book after the huge success of The Martian, a novel which I enjoyed a lot but did have some issues with. I was excited to check out Andy Weir's second book after the huge success of The Martian, a novel which I enjoyed a lot but did have some issues with. While Artemis started out very strong, by midpoint it had fallen into the same issues that I had with The Martian. That being that the science mumbo jumbo was rather excessive. In fact it was even worse than it was in The Martian. It really dragged the novel down and caused a lot of skimming, something I don't normally do.
The other issue I had was with the main character, which is surprising since I thought the protagonist in The Martian was very interesting and engaging. Jazz on the other hand was the complete opposite. I feel like the author was very strongly trying to go for a "sassy badass femme fatale" character, but what we got was an insecure spoiled brat.
Its not all bad though, I did think that the setting was very cool. In a basic sense the plot was interesting, and if the book wasn't 60% science essays I am sure I would have enjoyed it more.
Overall, while it had a lot of potential this book was a disappointment. Everything that made The Martian so universally loved (fascinating plot, likeable protagonist) is missing from this. While not terrible, be prepared to skim a lot unless you are a science major.
Wow, I'm breathless. I can't remember the last time I devoured a book with such relish. It was as if the author reached into my brain, picked o[image]
Wow, I'm breathless. I can't remember the last time I devoured a book with such relish. It was as if the author reached into my brain, picked out everything I love in a book and put it all together in one story, just for me! It's insane, not even does it have all the elements that I love in a book, but it also has the right amount of each. And to think this sat so long on my tbr list because the cover didn't grab me!
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If you like any of the following things read this book now!
Magic! Ancient mysterious monsters! Great, well developed friendships and relationships! Love Triangles! (Not a large part of the book, if that's not your thing) Quirky Teachers! Victorian London! Mystery! Prophesies! Cute boys!
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy I can't wait to read the next book immediately! Check out more of my reviews ...more
My first audio book finished, and what a great adventure it was! I suppose it was guaranteed to be good with Stephen Fry narrating. Not only was this My first audio book finished, and what a great adventure it was! I suppose it was guaranteed to be good with Stephen Fry narrating. Not only was this my first audio book, but also my first Sherlock Holmes one, and indeed listening to this got me into the Sherlock Holmes show so now I am on the Sherlock bandwagon and as big a fan as everyone else now.
I loved the epic scope of this story, the novel is broken up into two parts and both were extremely well done, I never thought a Sherlock Holmes book would make me misty eyed! My only quibble was that the second part was rather jarring and I was a little confused for a while, it really just throws you into another story.
Apart from that this was great fun and made the mundane task of doing the dishes and vacuuming the floors much more bearable. Highly recommend this audio book, it's a steal if you use it for your free credit at audible.
There was a ton of hype surrounding this novel and lots of people raving about a surprise twist, and I went into this eagerly. But to be honest...I ju There was a ton of hype surrounding this novel and lots of people raving about a surprise twist, and I went into this eagerly. But to be honest...I just don't see what all the hype is about. I've only read maybe a couple dozen thrillers in my entire life but even having read so few I didn't find this book all that original.
The writing flowed nicely and it was a quick read, I never found myself bored but I was rather let down by the “huge twist�. For me, this is a middle of the road domestic thriller, good for a rainy day but not the most memorable.
My thoughts are very divided on this novel. I loved the premise, a resourceful group of people decide to abandon a failing land and live on a ship in My thoughts are very divided on this novel. I loved the premise, a resourceful group of people decide to abandon a failing land and live on a ship in the midst of the end of the world. A ship setting for a post apocalypse book is pretty unique and rare, and it did live up to its potential in that regard.
Where I struggled with the story was with the main character, on the one hand I want to commend the author for writing a very relatable and realistic teenager...but that realism is what makes her so bloody annoying! She was constantly going around in circles, contradicting herself, making hers and the people around hers life so much harder than necessary.
However the back and forth did allow for some deep thinking, and I love when you can see both sides of a very complicated situation. The writing flowed nicely and I flew through the story. Even when I was annoyed at the main character I couldn't stop reading because I was desperate to know what happened next. I would enjoy reading a sequel for this.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy
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Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
I don't always read mysteries, but when I do I read Ellie Marney. Every Word is a great young adult mystery. I love that its possible to guess at someI don't always read mysteries, but when I do I read Ellie Marney. Every Word is a great young adult mystery. I love that its possible to guess at some of the resolutions, but there are not so many hints that the answer is obvious. There is a good balance of logic and mystery and nothing feels out of the blue. I did prefer the previous book more however due to Watts' recklessness, which I found to be annoying.
Recklessness is never attractive in a main character for me, you can't keep referring to someone as brilliant and yet have that same person never think ahead. On the other hand these characters are young so I'll let it slide. Some people may find their behavior realistic. To be honest the only truly unrealistic thing about the book was the fact that no ones parents ever get called! Other than my minor qualms I found this to be a fun and engaging read. 3.5/5
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
Interesting little mystery where Olivia and Gabriel investigate a “woman in white� ghost case. I enjoyed being back in Olivia and Gabriel's world. The Interesting little mystery where Olivia and Gabriel investigate a “woman in white� ghost case. I enjoyed being back in Olivia and Gabriel's world. Their relationship was at the same place it always is.
I have read the first three books in the series and there were no spoilers in this short story for me. Bigger things were alluded to, but nothing from the latest book.
The ending felt a bit rushed after the lackadaisical pace of the rest of the story. Overall the story seemed to focus a bit more on relationships than plot. 3.5/5
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
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Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
I had fun reading this Victorian mystery. The main character's selective mutism/mimicking was a very interesting trait. I have never read about a char I had fun reading this Victorian mystery. The main character's selective mutism/mimicking was a very interesting trait. I have never read about a character with that affliction before so it was pretty cool.
The publisher describes this as a cross between a Jane Austen Novel and a Sherlock one. While I would not agree with that description, I can see where the intent to create that vibe came from.
The mystery in the novel captured my attention but it was a very light and simple mystery. No nail biting here.
The romance in the story was sweet too, although it did feel a little silly near the end.
I found the subject of casual drug use in Victorian England very interesting. I don't know why I am always interested so much in vices of times past, but nevertheless I quite liked that part of the story. I also liked how the author wrote more about the subject at the end of the book.
Overall I found this to be a fun read with a light mystery and an intriguing main character. 3.5/5
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
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Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm enjoying this series a lot. Nice creepy vibe. I'm not normally one to read mysteries, but the paranormal parts keep me intrigued. I do wish the au I'm enjoying this series a lot. Nice creepy vibe. I'm not normally one to read mysteries, but the paranormal parts keep me intrigued. I do wish the author would throw the reader a bone or too, but it's still a good read. You just won't get any free clues.
Loved this creepy tale of supernatural heiress turned hillbilly. (Just kidding about the hillbilly part).
This was such a great read and I had a lot o Loved this creepy tale of supernatural heiress turned hillbilly. (Just kidding about the hillbilly part).
This was such a great read and I had a lot of fun. I've never read a supernatural book that delved much into omens so that was a cool change.
The characters were great too (even if Liz seemed a little too blase at times about all of the danger she was in). Kelly Armstrong hasn't lost her touch. 4/5...more
I loved this book about a female assassin, and although she may be teenaged, this story reads a lot more like a New Adult book, i.e scenes of graphic I loved this book about a female assassin, and although she may be teenaged, this story reads a lot more like a New Adult book, i.e scenes of graphic violence and sex.
The story is bloated with purple prose in the beginning, but it does calm down a bit in the rest of the book, although it is always present this didn't bother me much, but just a heads up for people who do not enjoy that.
This did turn out to be a fun adventure with an intriguing mystery. I am curious to see who the next book will follow. Overall I would recommend this.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy
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Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
Despite having a strong start, this historical romance didn't work for me. While the Welsh countryside was a nice departure from the usual England tha Despite having a strong start, this historical romance didn't work for me. While the Welsh countryside was a nice departure from the usual England that historical romances like to live in, there is not much else that I liked about this book. I felt that it had potential, but found that there were way too many conveniences.
It was almost ludicrous how many things just ended up “working out� despite no forethought or legitimate planning. And while I am not against “neat� endings this books ending was tied up so perfectly that it was practically factory sealed!
I normally love books by St.Martins Press but unfortunately this one didn't work for me. On the plus side, since I usually enjoy 80% of the books I read by this publisher, statistically speaking that means that the next book I read from them should be a five star....right?*fingers crossed*
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Bin
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Interesting, thought provoking read. Loved the generous dashing's of poems and random facts sprinkled throughout the story. The main cNutshell Review;
Interesting, thought provoking read. Loved the generous dashing's of poems and random facts sprinkled throughout the story. The main character was fascinating yet relatable. Great writing, excited to read more by this author.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Smooth writing that had a nice classic feel to it. I enjoyed the twist on Jane Eyre and I don't often enjoy re-tellings. While this was a fun read, itSmooth writing that had a nice classic feel to it. I enjoyed the twist on Jane Eyre and I don't often enjoy re-tellings. While this was a fun read, it wasn't spectacular. Nice rainy day read however. 3.5/5
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
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Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....more
Woot woot! I have finally finished a book! I am eternally grateful to Hannah Kent for granting me a temporary reprieve from my massive book slump. Tha Woot woot! I have finally finished a book! I am eternally grateful to Hannah Kent for granting me a temporary reprieve from my massive book slump. Thanks also to all my friends that have read this and championed it.
A story about a woman accused of murder, living out her last days before her execution on a dreary farm in the middle of nowhere would not normally tempt me (pretty cover and all). However I decided to listen to my friends and it paid off.
I loved this book, the writing was gorgeous without morphing into purple prose. The book was so amazingly atmospheric that I really felt like I was right next to Agnes at that chilly Icelandic farm. (Living in freezing cold Canada, may have helped with this illusion).
I found this book to be heartbreaking and bittersweet and...wow just a huge whirlwind of emotions in general. I am always terrible writing reviews for books I love, but just trust me that this is a great read. Of course I seem to be the last person on Earth to read this gem so you already know.
Basically what I am failing to say is that; this book is great. The writing is delicious and you will gobble up this heartbreaking story that is filled with mystery, misery and complicated relationships. 4/5
This was a so-so book with an interesting premise, but I think that this author's pace iCheck out more of my reviews
Unpopular Opinion Time [image]
This was a so-so book with an interesting premise, but I think that this author's pace is too slow even for me. I had the same issue with her previous book “The Scorpio Races�. I am not often a fan of books where most of the action is in the last few pages/chapters, it always feels rushed to me and too little too late type of situation.
I felt pretty nonchalant about Blue, but I suppose the book is called the raven boys for a reason. Even so I did not find them all that interesting either. Everything felt rather flat in this novel. Overall interesting plot, but the execution didn't really work for me.
Not sure if I will continue the series since it took me sooo long just to read this book, but since I do own them all I might. Annnd this ladies and gentlemen, is why you never buy an entire series all at once! Always try out at least one book first. I entreat you, resist the urge!
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