Reviews

Cornerstone by Misty Provencher

laura_corsi's review

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4.0

I picked this book up for a bargain. I had no preconceptions going in but was immediately swept up in the story. Very good read. It was so good I immediately went out and got the second book.

meme_too2's review

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3.0

This is another book about normal people, a secret society, and about a loser learning she has special powers. The characters are actually okay, but it really bothered me that new things were happening to this girl and no one can bothered to give her straight answers.

haleyelisereads's review

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4.0

4.5 rating. REALLY loved this, going to go get the second book right now! (:

duartepatri's review

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5.0

It is such a bliss when you realize that you have had a book for a while and haven't given it a go but you see people saying awesome things about it so you decide to check it out and the next thing that happens is that you have finished it in a matter of hours.

Misty Provencher has created a whole new world to us, let me tell you that I am an unconditional fan of her now.
What would have made it epic? well...I think Garrett should have been more straight forward romantically speaking. I could have done with more romance and less YA if you know what I mean ;)

I have to stop writing now because my whole being is itching for the second book of this series.

couscous's review

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5.0

GO READ THIS BOOK! Its cheap and refreshing and the main guy has blue eyes!!!!

heather4994's review

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5.0

Cornerstone at first seems like it's just your average, teenage girl that doesn't fit in and suddenly gets lucky when the popular guy starts to follow her around and ask questions/ Red Flags. She knows she's going to be the brunt of some cruel joke by some girls that don't like her. In fact, no one likes her. They call her the Waste because she lives with her mother in a home filled high with paper. Stacks upon stacks of paper that her mother writes on, stories she starts but never finishes. And once, a long time ago, when she was trying to make friends, a girl came by unannounced and saw all the paper, hence the name. Now Nalena doesn't know why Garrett is asking questions about her or showing up at her library table or defending her. And what's with this crazy stuff happening with her out of body experiences. And the man in the woods with the shovel trying to kill her? All very good questions that get answered in due time.

A lot of times when I'm reading, I skim books, especially long books because there are times when the character's mind wanders and it doesn't seem pertinent, or there are lengthy descriptions, but in this book, that never happened. Everything seemed to have meaning. The story line was original, though some might call it religious, I thought it more life affirming. There are supernatural powers and there are bad guys.

Mom and Nalena have been on there own forever, living on welfare and suddenly Nalena finds this whole big family living right under her nose and that there is a purpose to her mother's writing and that there is a community that would pay for her services. And then there is Garrett. Because of a perceived threat on Nalena and her mother Evangeline's life, the two move into the home of Garrett's parents. This is tough as Nalena is majorly crushing on Garrett and she is getting mixed signals from him. There are highs and lows for them throughout their time together But the romance is not rushed at all. It is slow and even when their feelings for each other are clear, Garrett wants to take things slow. Refreshing for YA!

Many lows come towards the end of the novel and there is a sneak peak into the second novel. If it's as good as the first it will be bought as soon as it is available. The author has a way with words, that I really enjoyed. Her metaphors like "my thoughts drift like feathers in a fan" and "but she laughs, a fluttery streamer of a laugh that doesn't float with me."

I really enjoyed the complexity of the novel and the side stories that went along with it. I can't wait to see where it's headed and I hope you'll take my advice and don't pass this one up! It's an awesome read!
Thanks Candace for asking me to help out and thanks Misty for writing such a great novel!

lunaty's review

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5.0

4.5*

Cornerstone has been on my to read list for a couple of years after coming across it as a recommendation based on previously read books on Goodreads. The synopsis really grabbed me and then life got in the way pushing it further down my list as other books got piled on top and new sequels kept coming out.

Finally this Friday I opened it up on my reader as I was sitting in the waiting room preparing to get my wisdom teeth removed. I can not tell you how glad I am that I did. I literally went on a binge for the following 4 days and blasted through this series, barely catching breath. Granted I was probably a little high from all the painkillers as well haha.

It was unique, invigorating, touching and bittersweet. It branches on a range of subjects in any young adults life as well as throw you into a fantastically imaginative world. Misty Porvincher is most definitely not afraid of letting her readers use their imagination and take a bit of risk by not making it chewed out or easy to swallow. I find that most refreshing in the current YA genre for a writer to not be afraid to go beyond.

- What kind of shift? Like California's finally going to fall in the ocean-that kind of shift? Or do you mean something like a meteor or nuclear bomb? What kind of altercation are you talking about?

The story follows Nalena who has had a rough time of it living with a hoarding mother. Circumstances throw her in a life she had never suspected and in this life she also meets Garret.

These two make a fantastic pair, not gagging sweet but a real genuine and interesting connection. Okay so perhaps some might find it to sweet but at leafs the dude is not as creepy as Edward.

- He's teasing, but it is obvious that I'm doing it all wrong. I don't know how to peel a stupid potato. Suddenly, I can't force a smile out on my lips. I'm tired of being the person who knows nothing. but Garrett, hardly missing a beat, slips his knife out of my hand and murmurs to me, "Here ya go, Old School, step aside and let me show you how the pros do it."


For any Significance fans, this series captures exactly what was lacking for me from those Books. Whilst both stories are magnificent, I find that Cornerstone manages to grab that little bit extra on the stakes scale and really go for it.


- I let myself think, I hope he loves me, and then I wonder if I've said it out loud. I try hard to remember if I'd formed the words with my lips. No. I didn't. I'm sure I didn't. I'm convinced of it, until he murmurs back, "Don't worry. He does."

The rest of the characters are awesome too.. Each one brought something to the table and I especially appreciated the Addo. But do not let them fool you.

- "Shoelaces." Mark says. We all turn and look at him but no one says a word. He shrugs and looks down at his sneakers. "What? When they're tied, I'm at peace."

I am a little pedantic when it comes to happy endings when I read.. To the point where I do my research and try to not jump into a series when I know the ending will not meet my expectation haha. We go through some cliffhangers in this series that drove me to immediatly read through the next
Spoiler and the actual ending left me feeling a little teary eyed and hollow.. Dont get me wrong here, it is not a bad ending (phew). It does however still leave me with questions and a desire to find out what happens after... NOooooooo


I would recommend this to anyone that is into adventure and love. Probably suited the the slightly older YA audience. It will most definitely remain a series I will remember and I truly hope the author manages to write some type of spin off as currently I just want more....

andimontgomery's review

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3.0

3.5 stars. This was an interesting premise and page-turner. The world building was well done and easily understandable considering the creativity of the plot. The characters were also likable, especially Nalena, Garrett, and the elder, Addo.

This would have been a solid four stars but for the spelling and punctuation errors (especially when pluralizing words ending with a "y"). Even so, I definitely plan to continue with the series.

kspear22's review

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5.0

WOW! I "won" this book from Misty herself on Twitter. I had no idea what it was about, only that it was a new YA series. I am *SO* glad I read this!

It's the story of Naleena Maxwell (Nali) who is an outcast in her school. Her mother is a paper hoarder/writer who never finishes a story. Or so we (and Nali) think. This is just the cover for a much deeper story. Somehow, our heroine manages to snag the attention of the most popular and attractive guy at school, Garrett. And let me say, there weren't boys like that when I was in school! WHEW! LOL. After a few incidents, we learn the truth about Nali's mother, Garrett, and Nali herself. She then has to decide whether she wants to live a normal life or step in to fulfill her destiny.

Once I started this book, I couldn't stop reading. I found myself salivating for more. I wanted to know everything immediately! And Garrett.... oh, I swoon! Edward Who? He is the guy we all dream about and then some. I think I found myself a new fictional crush. He's protective, but not stifling. He lets Nali take care of herself and helps only when necessary. Once we finally learn the truth about Nali and her mother, you obviously know which choice will be made. The ending had me saddened. I expected one outcome, but was surprised by another. Misty left me hanging!! I am so looking forward to "Keystone", book two!

muddypuddle's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 rounded to 4: Cornerstone is the kind of book that draws you in immediately. The first half of the book, well, I just couldn't put down. The second half slowed down a bit and didn't hold my attention quite as much. The instalove was the most offputting for me because I didn't understand what made Garrett so quickly drawn to Nalena. Why hadn't he befriended her earlier? The ending was not as much a cliffhanger as it was a segue into another chapter. Will I read more? Probably not, but I did enjoy this one.