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amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
I recently found Columbine by Dave Cullen on Libby. The book focuses on the school shooting at Columbine High school in Columbine, CO. April 20th, 1999. If the subject of gun violence or shootings is a sensitive subject for you, then TRIGGER WARNING AHEAD.
On April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold unleashed terror on fellow students and staff at their high school. The world watched in shock and sorrow as the footage aired. No one could believe. However, no one knew that this was a part of a plan by the two perpetrators, that was over a year in the making. This awful day would take years of investigations, questions, and trials to fully uncover the truth. This book takes media, journals, diaries, interviews, and court documents to try to understand how this atrocious event occurred.
I didn’t listen to this book for entertainment. I didn’t listen to it because I wanted to. I listened to it because I felt like I needed to. I was 11 years old when Columbine happened and I remember it on the news well. But I grew up in California, far away from Colorado. It felt so far away, it could never happen here. Then another shooting, then another, and another. In 2019, just 20 years later, there was a total of 434 mass shootings in the United States. Now my 8-year-old son has regular active shooter drills, just as often as earthquake or fire drills. And here in California, we get a LOT of earthquakes. I guess I read this book for the victims, maybe if I read this, maybe I could be better informed.
I hate that I had to write the perpetrator’s names. I read a book called The Five by Hallie Rubenhold that discussed the victims of Jack the Ripper without ever mentioning his name. But Eric and Dylan are the focus of this book. The author dives deep into the profile and the timeline leading up to the shooting. Quite honestly, the parts that described the survivors were the ones I wanted to hear about the most. Their perseverance and strength are just inspiring. I can’t imagine what they have gone through.
I have received Dave Cullen’s Parkland from Harper Perennial Publishing, but I need some time before I can read it after listening to this book. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
On April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold unleashed terror on fellow students and staff at their high school. The world watched in shock and sorrow as the footage aired. No one could believe. However, no one knew that this was a part of a plan by the two perpetrators, that was over a year in the making. This awful day would take years of investigations, questions, and trials to fully uncover the truth. This book takes media, journals, diaries, interviews, and court documents to try to understand how this atrocious event occurred.
I didn’t listen to this book for entertainment. I didn’t listen to it because I wanted to. I listened to it because I felt like I needed to. I was 11 years old when Columbine happened and I remember it on the news well. But I grew up in California, far away from Colorado. It felt so far away, it could never happen here. Then another shooting, then another, and another. In 2019, just 20 years later, there was a total of 434 mass shootings in the United States. Now my 8-year-old son has regular active shooter drills, just as often as earthquake or fire drills. And here in California, we get a LOT of earthquakes. I guess I read this book for the victims, maybe if I read this, maybe I could be better informed.
I hate that I had to write the perpetrator’s names. I read a book called The Five by Hallie Rubenhold that discussed the victims of Jack the Ripper without ever mentioning his name. But Eric and Dylan are the focus of this book. The author dives deep into the profile and the timeline leading up to the shooting. Quite honestly, the parts that described the survivors were the ones I wanted to hear about the most. Their perseverance and strength are just inspiring. I can’t imagine what they have gone through.
I have received Dave Cullen’s Parkland from Harper Perennial Publishing, but I need some time before I can read it after listening to this book. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I just finished another epic adventure thanks to Lords of the North, the 3rd book in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell. This book picks up right after Uhtred helps Wessex defeat the Danes. Uhtred was expecting Alfred to show more appreciation. So Uhtred leaves Wessex. He goes to enact revenge on Kjartan for killing his family. Along the way, he meets a slave named Guthred. He is a Dane that has become a Christian and claims to be a King. He joins Guthred to help him make alliances. England is in constant turmoil and betrayal runs rampant.
This is another fantastic installment to the Saxon Stories! This audiobook is narrated by Tom Sellwood. He does a great job getting into each character. I still really miss Jonathon Keeble though.
I have also reviewed the previous two books. We all know that Uhtred is arrogant–which leads to many mistakes on his part. His position changes in this book, but he comes out even stronger. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. The hardships he faces in this book make him smarter. There are some new characters that come into play in this book. As always there are fierce and strong women like Hild and Gisela. I love how Uhtred makes some fantastic alliances and friendships. There also many familiar faces like Steapa and Ragnar, and of course, the characters we love to hate like Kjartan.
Once again, the historical detail is so vivid and every time I listen to this book I feel so immersed in the world. The battle sequences are descriptive and keep readers on their toes.
I have already started book 4 and by the time this review posts, I will probably be further along in the series. This book gets another 5 out of 5 stars!
This is another fantastic installment to the Saxon Stories! This audiobook is narrated by Tom Sellwood. He does a great job getting into each character. I still really miss Jonathon Keeble though.
I have also reviewed the previous two books. We all know that Uhtred is arrogant–which leads to many mistakes on his part. His position changes in this book, but he comes out even stronger. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. The hardships he faces in this book make him smarter. There are some new characters that come into play in this book. As always there are fierce and strong women like Hild and Gisela. I love how Uhtred makes some fantastic alliances and friendships. There also many familiar faces like Steapa and Ragnar, and of course, the characters we love to hate like Kjartan.
Once again, the historical detail is so vivid and every time I listen to this book I feel so immersed in the world. The battle sequences are descriptive and keep readers on their toes.
I have already started book 4 and by the time this review posts, I will probably be further along in the series. This book gets another 5 out of 5 stars!
Ella of Frell is given a gift if obedience at birth. No matter what, she has to follow any order given to her. After her mother's death, her father sends her off to boarding school and she goes on a quest to find the fairy Lucinda to get her to lift the curse.
This book was my absolute favorite growing up. Ella is strong and funny and many young girls can relate to her. The book is wonderful, however, do not see the movie. It is nothing like the book and completely awful. Even though I am an adult now, I still read it every year.
This book was my absolute favorite growing up. Ella is strong and funny and many young girls can relate to her. The book is wonderful, however, do not see the movie. It is nothing like the book and completely awful. Even though I am an adult now, I still read it every year.
There is seriously nothing better than a book that really takes you out of reality. I think we can all agree that our reality isn’t what we would want it to be at the moment. Our book club decided to read a fairytale or fairytale retelling for March, and we selected Part of Your World by Liz Braswell. This book is a part of The Disney Twisted Tale series. This book is about The Little Mermaid if Ariel and Eric didn’t defeat Ursula. Five years after Ariel lost her voice to try to win the love of her life, she is now Queen of Atlantica since her father died in the battle. She now blames herself. However, her old friend, Scuttle discovers that he could still be alive. Ursula or Vanessa is now married to Eric and is waging war on neighboring countries, determined to accumulate more power. Ariel doesn’t want to make the same mistake she did the last time she went to the surface and her sole focus is getting her father back, but her heart still belongs to Eric.
This book just brings on all the Disney nostalgia. It is wonderful to see so many favorite characters again. Ariel in this book is much different than the Ariel we know and love. She is depressed. She is doing a job that she hates but is doing it out of guilt. She misses her father and she misses Eric. The fun, spirited mermaid is gone, but now she is fierce and mature. She already showed development at the beginning of the book, which seems impossible. Then there’s Eric…dear, sweet, handsome, bonehead Eric. I don’t know what happened. He was under a spell. Did that cause him to lose brain cells? He just came across as such an airhead. Definitely not that the Eric that we know and love. If you need an example, he refers to dynamite as “explodey-stuff.” Yep.
This brings me to the next point, the dialogue is very corny. However, I can look past it. I enjoyed the story. Even though it is over 500 pages, I managed to read it pretty quickly. Like I said earlier, it was nice to escape reality for a bit. I did turn on my Pandora Disney station and sang my heart out to Poor Unfortunate Souls—the BEST Disney villain song. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars, but I definitely enjoyed it.
This book just brings on all the Disney nostalgia. It is wonderful to see so many favorite characters again. Ariel in this book is much different than the Ariel we know and love. She is depressed. She is doing a job that she hates but is doing it out of guilt. She misses her father and she misses Eric. The fun, spirited mermaid is gone, but now she is fierce and mature. She already showed development at the beginning of the book, which seems impossible. Then there’s Eric…dear, sweet, handsome, bonehead Eric. I don’t know what happened. He was under a spell. Did that cause him to lose brain cells? He just came across as such an airhead. Definitely not that the Eric that we know and love. If you need an example, he refers to dynamite as “explodey-stuff.” Yep.
This brings me to the next point, the dialogue is very corny. However, I can look past it. I enjoyed the story. Even though it is over 500 pages, I managed to read it pretty quickly. Like I said earlier, it was nice to escape reality for a bit. I did turn on my Pandora Disney station and sang my heart out to Poor Unfortunate Souls—the BEST Disney villain song. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars, but I definitely enjoyed it.
This is such an unusual time that we are all experiencing right now. I have studied history and our history is riddled with plague, disease, and infection. I wanted to read about another’s view about these circumstances, whether fiction or nonfiction. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is a fictional story that takes place in the year 1666. Anna Frith is a housemaid in a village in the hills. She is married to a simple miner and has two children. They live a simple life but a happy one. That is until a piece of cloth finds its way to the village from London, carrying the plague. The local pastor makes the decision to quarantine the town from the outside world. This doesn’t stop the disease from destroying the village. What is left is destroyed by the mass hysteria of those who are left alive…
This is definitely a unique experience reading a book about the plague while in quarantine. One thing is for certain, the pastor acted way faster than our government did. However, there are some similarities. The book shows religious hysteria and witch hunts. They don’t understand why this is happening and how the disease spreads, so they take it out on each other the only way they know-how. Fast forward to the present day, we are more arrogant. We have better medical advancements and we have an idea how the virus spreads but the problem is stopping it. We don’t necessarily have witch hunts, but we do have the internet which is vital in the spread of false information and conspiracy theories. There are also people who think that they can’t be quarantined. That they can just go where they please…doesn’t that sound familiar.
Okay, now more about the actual book. This book is absolutely beautiful. The hope that comes out of utter despair is my favorite aspect of the book. There is also the courageous Anna. She witnesses loss beyond all imagining but still gets up every day, leaves the house to take care of those who are suffering, all while having the want to learn as much as she can about healing. She is a heroine. (Just like all our essential workers, right now. I see you and thank you!)
Another beautiful part of the story is Anna’s friendship with the pastor’s wife, Elinor. They lean on each other and gather strength from each other. I love how they just build each other up, as what women should do.
“Oh, the spark was clear in you when you first came to me–but you covered your light as if you were afraid of what would happen if anybody saw it. You were like a flame blown by the wind until it is almost extinguished. All I had to do was put the glass around you. And now, how you shine!”
YEAR OF WONDERS PAGE 234
The prose is absolutely stunning and I was entranced from the very first page. This book really dives into the human condition and shows the beauty in sometimes a very dark world. This book gets a perfect 5 stars from me!
This is definitely a unique experience reading a book about the plague while in quarantine. One thing is for certain, the pastor acted way faster than our government did. However, there are some similarities. The book shows religious hysteria and witch hunts. They don’t understand why this is happening and how the disease spreads, so they take it out on each other the only way they know-how. Fast forward to the present day, we are more arrogant. We have better medical advancements and we have an idea how the virus spreads but the problem is stopping it. We don’t necessarily have witch hunts, but we do have the internet which is vital in the spread of false information and conspiracy theories. There are also people who think that they can’t be quarantined. That they can just go where they please…doesn’t that sound familiar.
Okay, now more about the actual book. This book is absolutely beautiful. The hope that comes out of utter despair is my favorite aspect of the book. There is also the courageous Anna. She witnesses loss beyond all imagining but still gets up every day, leaves the house to take care of those who are suffering, all while having the want to learn as much as she can about healing. She is a heroine. (Just like all our essential workers, right now. I see you and thank you!)
Another beautiful part of the story is Anna’s friendship with the pastor’s wife, Elinor. They lean on each other and gather strength from each other. I love how they just build each other up, as what women should do.
“Oh, the spark was clear in you when you first came to me–but you covered your light as if you were afraid of what would happen if anybody saw it. You were like a flame blown by the wind until it is almost extinguished. All I had to do was put the glass around you. And now, how you shine!”
YEAR OF WONDERS PAGE 234
The prose is absolutely stunning and I was entranced from the very first page. This book really dives into the human condition and shows the beauty in sometimes a very dark world. This book gets a perfect 5 stars from me!
And the adventure continues!! Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell is the 4th book in the Saxon Stories series. As always, this book continues the chronicles of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The year is 885 and Uhtred has given his oath to Alfred and lives with his wife, Gisela. There is peace but peace is very fragile. There are rumors that a man has come back from the dead and predicts the next king of Mercia. Aethelflaed is the daughter of Alfred and is married to Aethelred of Mercia. When she is kidnapped, Alfred sends Uhtred to bargain for his daughter but also maintain peace…
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I almost forget where one book begins and the other ends because once I finish one book, I immediately start the next one. I seriously cannot get enough of this story, the history, and the characters. Uhtred is one of the characters who is impossible not to love. He is a fierce warrior, demands justice, and is passionate about honor. In fact, he is always mentioning how he places a sword in his enemy’s hands at their death so they may live in Valhalla. He is also hilarious. He has a quick wit which I just adore.
“He still has a removable head…”
SWORD SONG
Uhtred is the narrator of the story and he is not the only character. As a narrator, he is very perspective. There are many wonderful additional plotlines in this novel. Some that completely broke my heart. I want to live in a world where two particular characters can be together.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I do not recommend it. There is so much backstory that helps readers understand the characters and the reasons for the events that have occurred. I recommend that readers begin with book one. Also, if you listen to the audiobooks, you are in for a treat. Jonathon Keeble is one of my favorite narrators! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars!
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I almost forget where one book begins and the other ends because once I finish one book, I immediately start the next one. I seriously cannot get enough of this story, the history, and the characters. Uhtred is one of the characters who is impossible not to love. He is a fierce warrior, demands justice, and is passionate about honor. In fact, he is always mentioning how he places a sword in his enemy’s hands at their death so they may live in Valhalla. He is also hilarious. He has a quick wit which I just adore.
“He still has a removable head…”
SWORD SONG
Uhtred is the narrator of the story and he is not the only character. As a narrator, he is very perspective. There are many wonderful additional plotlines in this novel. Some that completely broke my heart. I want to live in a world where two particular characters can be together.
This book can be read as a standalone, but I do not recommend it. There is so much backstory that helps readers understand the characters and the reasons for the events that have occurred. I recommend that readers begin with book one. Also, if you listen to the audiobooks, you are in for a treat. Jonathon Keeble is one of my favorite narrators! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars!
The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter is book 8 in the Will Trent series. Will Trent has been investigating a basketball star on a rape charge. However, with all of his lawyers, he seems to slip right out of Will’s grasp. Will and his partner, Faith are called to the crime scene of a murdered cop. He is a corrupt cop, but still a cop–whose body happens to be in the same basketball star’s future nightclub. Dr. Sara Linton is now a medical examiner that works with the GBI. While they are investigating the crime scene, they find blood, too much blood. The blood does not belong to the dead cop…but to Will’s wife, Angie.
Warning: Book contains graphic details of rape and domestic abuse.
I need to say this, I absolutely hate Angie. Do I feel bad for her?…absolutely not. She is the definition of toxic. But is she an interesting character? Absolutely. She creates problems and as evidence in this book, she makes problems worse. However, I really enjoyed this story. Not only is it suspenseful and full of twists and turns but Will Trent’s development in regards to his toxic relationship with Angie is fantastic. His development with relationships, in general, is perfect. Growing up in the system, he has been wary of relationships. He has to realize that family is not only blood that makes a family, as so eloquently spoken by the QUEEN Amanda Wagner herself:
“I picked you. Faith picked you. Sara picked you. Let that be enough. Let yourself accept that you are worth it.”
THE KEPT WOMAN
As always, you know how I could go on about the characters. Because they are the best. But I do want to point out that Will Trent is surrounded by the most fierce, passionate, and smart women and he loves them for it. He respects them and knows their worth. He does not doubt them.
One of the things about Karin Slaughter’s works is that there is always something else. Nothing is ever as it seems. There are many aspects that just come together so cohesively. Her work is nothing short of brilliant. If you have read other Karin Slaughter’s works then you know that she is graphic and has no issues with description. So if you are the queasy type, then this is not the book for you. For me, this book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Warning: Book contains graphic details of rape and domestic abuse.
I need to say this, I absolutely hate Angie. Do I feel bad for her?…absolutely not. She is the definition of toxic. But is she an interesting character? Absolutely. She creates problems and as evidence in this book, she makes problems worse. However, I really enjoyed this story. Not only is it suspenseful and full of twists and turns but Will Trent’s development in regards to his toxic relationship with Angie is fantastic. His development with relationships, in general, is perfect. Growing up in the system, he has been wary of relationships. He has to realize that family is not only blood that makes a family, as so eloquently spoken by the QUEEN Amanda Wagner herself:
“I picked you. Faith picked you. Sara picked you. Let that be enough. Let yourself accept that you are worth it.”
THE KEPT WOMAN
As always, you know how I could go on about the characters. Because they are the best. But I do want to point out that Will Trent is surrounded by the most fierce, passionate, and smart women and he loves them for it. He respects them and knows their worth. He does not doubt them.
One of the things about Karin Slaughter’s works is that there is always something else. Nothing is ever as it seems. There are many aspects that just come together so cohesively. Her work is nothing short of brilliant. If you have read other Karin Slaughter’s works then you know that she is graphic and has no issues with description. So if you are the queasy type, then this is not the book for you. For me, this book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is probably one of my favorite books of all time. It's about Bilbo Baggins who is hired by Gandalf the Grey and Thorin and Co. to go help them retrieve their gold and home from Smaug, a great dragon. Bilbo is quite unsure at first. Hobbits don't usually go on adventures. They cross goblins, trolls, elves, and much more on their journey. Bilbo learning more about himself on his journey. One thing that changes his life, is his finding of the One Ring. This not only changes his life but sets the stage for the Lord of the Rings.
One of the things that set this book apart for me is the world that Tolkien creates and the way he writes... it's like he is sitting there in front of you, telling you a story. I read this story to my son when he was 2. I want my kids to love this story as much as I do.
Check out my Tolkien Tuesday Series on my blog as I go through each chapter.
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/tolkien-tuesday-presumed-dead/
One of the things that set this book apart for me is the world that Tolkien creates and the way he writes... it's like he is sitting there in front of you, telling you a story. I read this story to my son when he was 2. I want my kids to love this story as much as I do.
Check out my Tolkien Tuesday Series on my blog as I go through each chapter.
https://amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/tolkien-tuesday-presumed-dead/
Five books down, seven more to go before I complete the Saxon Stories series. The Burning Lands by Bernard Cornwell is the 5th book in the series and is narrated by John Lee. There can never be peace. This time is history is plagued with war and betrayal. Uhtred has won Alfred a great victory as always…
Then something unexpected happens and causes Uhtred to lose control, which obviously displeases Alfred. Now Uhtred is heading back to the Danes, with Ragnar and Brida. He thinks this is where he will stay, but then Aethelflaed calls for his help. This call will make Uhtred have to make a decision once again, is he with the Danes or with Saxons?
Why can’t Alfred show just a little gratitude to Uhtred? Just a simple thank you would solve so many of Alfred’s problems. But one thing that every single man has in common that we come across in this series is an abundance of pride—well maybe except for Aethelwold. As if they haven’t learned so far, excessive pride can lead to death.
However, it is nice to see Uhtred escape Alfred’s clutches just for a little bit and I love that we get to see some old favorites like Brida and Ragnar. Brida’s disdain for Alfred and for the Saxons grows by the minute. Then Uhtred begins to decline a bit in this book. He shows cowardice. I mean we have to give him some credit. He is always caught between a rock and a hard place. Nonetheless, I love all the characters that appear in this series. Well, I hate Skade. But she is that character that readers are meant to hate. When it comes to actual historical characters that make an appearance is when it gets really special for me. I feel like I am diving into history.
Uhtred’s goal is still Bebbanburg. He is so close he can almost taste it, but to many depend on him. Well, Jonathon Keeble does not narrate this book and he is missed greatly. John Lee is a good narrator but he doesn’t have a good tone for Uhtred. He often comes off as haughty and royal, whereas Uhtred is a warrior and needs a little more grit. However, Bernard Cornwell’s writing, historical details, and characters are still just as amazing as always. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Then something unexpected happens and causes Uhtred to lose control, which obviously displeases Alfred. Now Uhtred is heading back to the Danes, with Ragnar and Brida. He thinks this is where he will stay, but then Aethelflaed calls for his help. This call will make Uhtred have to make a decision once again, is he with the Danes or with Saxons?
Why can’t Alfred show just a little gratitude to Uhtred? Just a simple thank you would solve so many of Alfred’s problems. But one thing that every single man has in common that we come across in this series is an abundance of pride—well maybe except for Aethelwold. As if they haven’t learned so far, excessive pride can lead to death.
However, it is nice to see Uhtred escape Alfred’s clutches just for a little bit and I love that we get to see some old favorites like Brida and Ragnar. Brida’s disdain for Alfred and for the Saxons grows by the minute. Then Uhtred begins to decline a bit in this book. He shows cowardice. I mean we have to give him some credit. He is always caught between a rock and a hard place. Nonetheless, I love all the characters that appear in this series. Well, I hate Skade. But she is that character that readers are meant to hate. When it comes to actual historical characters that make an appearance is when it gets really special for me. I feel like I am diving into history.
Uhtred’s goal is still Bebbanburg. He is so close he can almost taste it, but to many depend on him. Well, Jonathon Keeble does not narrate this book and he is missed greatly. John Lee is a good narrator but he doesn’t have a good tone for Uhtred. He often comes off as haughty and royal, whereas Uhtred is a warrior and needs a little more grit. However, Bernard Cornwell’s writing, historical details, and characters are still just as amazing as always. This book gets 5 out of 5 stars.