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kellygillespiewv's reviews
636 reviews
You Don't Know Me But I Know You by Rebecca Barrow
4.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
You Don't Know Me but I Know You took me by surprise! Some books you pick up and know fairly well what you're getting into, but this book was unexpected -- in a good way!
"Rebecca Barrow writes stories about girls and all the wonders they can be." Barrow did just that in her debut novel, You Don't Know Me but I Know You. She is compelling and honest, and her writing evokes so much feeling.
There is a lot more to this book than being a story of teen pregnancy, and that is what took me by surprise! You Don't Know Me but I Know You thrusts the reader into Audrey Spencer's world which gets turned about when she discovers she is pregnant, but the real story, for me, is in how she handles everything.
I flashed back to my younger years (because, yup...I'm in my thirties, remember!), and I couldn't help but feel that this book was laced with realism, covering everything from diversity to first love to fallouts, and more! This is what I enjoyed most about You Don't Know Me but I Know You -- Barrow didn't hold back.
The one thing this book lacked was cliches, and I was entirely fine with that! The authenticity of this type of a story is important, I feel.
Although I found the storyline to be captivating and the characters to be perfectly complex and flawed, I was less of a fan of Barrow's writing style, itself, aside from its ability to make me feel.
Overall, I did enjoy You Don't Know Me but I Know You. I caution readers of a hot topic that traverses the storyline, but if one can read this book with an open mind, I think it's worth it for fans of YA Contemporary lit!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
You Don't Know Me but I Know You took me by surprise! Some books you pick up and know fairly well what you're getting into, but this book was unexpected -- in a good way!
"Rebecca Barrow writes stories about girls and all the wonders they can be." Barrow did just that in her debut novel, You Don't Know Me but I Know You. She is compelling and honest, and her writing evokes so much feeling.
There is a lot more to this book than being a story of teen pregnancy, and that is what took me by surprise! You Don't Know Me but I Know You thrusts the reader into Audrey Spencer's world which gets turned about when she discovers she is pregnant, but the real story, for me, is in how she handles everything.
I flashed back to my younger years (because, yup...I'm in my thirties, remember!), and I couldn't help but feel that this book was laced with realism, covering everything from diversity to first love to fallouts, and more! This is what I enjoyed most about You Don't Know Me but I Know You -- Barrow didn't hold back.
The one thing this book lacked was cliches, and I was entirely fine with that! The authenticity of this type of a story is important, I feel.
Although I found the storyline to be captivating and the characters to be perfectly complex and flawed, I was less of a fan of Barrow's writing style, itself, aside from its ability to make me feel.
Overall, I did enjoy You Don't Know Me but I Know You. I caution readers of a hot topic that traverses the storyline, but if one can read this book with an open mind, I think it's worth it for fans of YA Contemporary lit!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
4.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
As a general rule for myself, I don't like to jump to immediate conclusions about a book when I first put it down. Sometimes, emotions are running wild (because, you know, books have the ability to do that to people), and I feel it's best to mull things over for a little in order to rein in my thoughts. When I finished The Cruel Prince, I absolutely knew I would need time to think about what I just read because it honestly left me feeling too mixed.
The Cruel Prince, the first book in The Folk of the Air series, was my first experience with Holly Black. "Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare) and The Darkest Part of the Forest." (author website)
So, let me lay it out there for you guys so that I can review rather than rant about this book... I thought most things about The Cruel Prince were good but not great, I was incapable of connecting with the story and characters for various reasons, and I often found myself making a scrunching WTF/seriously?! face. I am well aware that I'm in the minority with this.
Now that my basic negative feelings are out in the open, let's proceed...
Holly Black has an astounding resume -- have you seen some of the books she has written and co-authored??? Regardless, her writing in The Cruel Prince didn't captivate me. Her words and phrasing, however, did compel me enough to keep reading. I LOVE a beautifully written book -- mostly because I have precisely zero notable skills in writing -- and at times, The Cruel Prince was strong and well composed. At other times, though, there was also a lot of vagueness that contributed to my disconnect.
Can we all agree that fantasy books should be required to have a map? I love book maps because world-building in fantasy is difficult. An author is literally creating an imaginary world and we, as readers, are expected to be able to navigate it via their words. I love the map in The Cruel Prince. The description of the fae world from the characters' perspectives?! That left me wanting. I did have a clear vision when it was described that someone looked out onto the human world; to me, it was reminiscent of someone standing on the Canadian coast looking across the Detroit River at the city of Detroit. *shaking my head*
If you're a fan of fae, you should enjoy the fae culture that is entwined in the storyline. Black is the queen of the fae, and she does them justice...in a dark and twisted way. I commend her for that!
I have way too many thoughts on the characters we meet in The Cruel Prince. I am going to narrow them down a little and give you these bullet-points:
-Most, if not all, of the characters will probably be ones you'll "love to hate." They are self-guided with their own agendas. They are typical, self-indulgent fae, but there is a darker nature to a lot of them. The synopsis and blurb don't hide the fact that you're going to be dealing with characters whose moral compasses don't exactly point due North.
-With the previous being said...there was a level of bullying in The Cruel Prince that I was not okay with. I understand how fae act. I have read other fae tales. BUT, I just didn't care for it.
-Taryn! Blah! She can go!
-Jude annoyed me to no end! I feel like she was a HUGE reason why I was less than enthused with this book.
-Who exactly is the cruel prince? All of the princes are assholes, if you ask me!
The plot held a lot of potential and there were some solid moments, but it was mostly flat, for me. The summary gives you a good idea of the storyline basics, so I won't give a rundown. The last 100 pages or so really picks up with the pacing and keeps you on the edge of your seat. AND THE ENDING!
Overall, I found The Cruel Prince to be intriguing enough to give the next book a shot but disappointing enough that it won't be anywhere near my top reads of the year, like a lot of people. I simply didn't get sucked in quite like others who have read it, so my review is far from raving. I write my reviews to give my honest thoughts, and although I wasn't a fan, I know others will be. Fans of fae and YA fantasy will eat this book up, so I would recommend this to those readers -- with the trigger warning for bullying.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
As a general rule for myself, I don't like to jump to immediate conclusions about a book when I first put it down. Sometimes, emotions are running wild (because, you know, books have the ability to do that to people), and I feel it's best to mull things over for a little in order to rein in my thoughts. When I finished The Cruel Prince, I absolutely knew I would need time to think about what I just read because it honestly left me feeling too mixed.
The Cruel Prince, the first book in The Folk of the Air series, was my first experience with Holly Black. "Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare) and The Darkest Part of the Forest." (author website)
So, let me lay it out there for you guys so that I can review rather than rant about this book... I thought most things about The Cruel Prince were good but not great, I was incapable of connecting with the story and characters for various reasons, and I often found myself making a scrunching WTF/seriously?! face. I am well aware that I'm in the minority with this.
Now that my basic negative feelings are out in the open, let's proceed...
Holly Black has an astounding resume -- have you seen some of the books she has written and co-authored??? Regardless, her writing in The Cruel Prince didn't captivate me. Her words and phrasing, however, did compel me enough to keep reading. I LOVE a beautifully written book -- mostly because I have precisely zero notable skills in writing -- and at times, The Cruel Prince was strong and well composed. At other times, though, there was also a lot of vagueness that contributed to my disconnect.
Can we all agree that fantasy books should be required to have a map? I love book maps because world-building in fantasy is difficult. An author is literally creating an imaginary world and we, as readers, are expected to be able to navigate it via their words. I love the map in The Cruel Prince. The description of the fae world from the characters' perspectives?! That left me wanting. I did have a clear vision when it was described that someone looked out onto the human world; to me, it was reminiscent of someone standing on the Canadian coast looking across the Detroit River at the city of Detroit. *shaking my head*
If you're a fan of fae, you should enjoy the fae culture that is entwined in the storyline. Black is the queen of the fae, and she does them justice...in a dark and twisted way. I commend her for that!
I have way too many thoughts on the characters we meet in The Cruel Prince. I am going to narrow them down a little and give you these bullet-points:
-Most, if not all, of the characters will probably be ones you'll "love to hate." They are self-guided with their own agendas. They are typical, self-indulgent fae, but there is a darker nature to a lot of them. The synopsis and blurb don't hide the fact that you're going to be dealing with characters whose moral compasses don't exactly point due North.
-With the previous being said...there was a level of bullying in The Cruel Prince that I was not okay with. I understand how fae act. I have read other fae tales. BUT, I just didn't care for it.
-Taryn! Blah! She can go!
-Jude annoyed me to no end! I feel like she was a HUGE reason why I was less than enthused with this book.
-Who exactly is the cruel prince? All of the princes are assholes, if you ask me!
The plot held a lot of potential and there were some solid moments, but it was mostly flat, for me. The summary gives you a good idea of the storyline basics, so I won't give a rundown. The last 100 pages or so really picks up with the pacing and keeps you on the edge of your seat. AND THE ENDING!
Overall, I found The Cruel Prince to be intriguing enough to give the next book a shot but disappointing enough that it won't be anywhere near my top reads of the year, like a lot of people. I simply didn't get sucked in quite like others who have read it, so my review is far from raving. I write my reviews to give my honest thoughts, and although I wasn't a fan, I know others will be. Fans of fae and YA fantasy will eat this book up, so I would recommend this to those readers -- with the trigger warning for bullying.
Bone Music by Christopher Rice
4.0
Full review on www.wildandwonderfulreads.com***
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Bone Music, for me, was many things — intriguing, fierce, suspenseful, but also not what I was expecting. This book is considered a blend of a superhero origin story and a thriller.
The first book in the Burning Girl Series, Bone Music was written by New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice, son of Anne Rice and head writer/executive producer of the TV production of her books The Vampire Chronicles.
Though it’s sizable book, at over 400 pages, with multiple storylines, Bone Music has an easy flow. Rice’s writing is quite lovely!
Bone Music follows Charlotte Rowe years after being saved from serial killers who raised her as her own once they murdered her mother and abducted her as an infant. She has spent her life broken; struggling to move on and to be accepted with the public, accusing eye on her.
This IS a thriller, so I can’t really disclose much of the plot without giving away spoilers. However, one of the reasons I dwelled on my thoughts for so long after I finished reading it and I did not rate this book higher had to do with a major plot point and my personal distaste for it. So, as vaguely as I can, I’d like to at least touch on that…
Charlotte’s power stems from a drug, and I was not a fan of that. This concept just didn’t sit well with me — someone’s “empowerment” coming from drugs?! Popping a pill so you can hit a level of inordinate strength?! I get it, this is fiction, but I live in a state where opioid (completely different thing, but still…drugs) addiction and deaths are a major issue, so it’s something that kept nagging at me and took away from my reading experience.
OTHERWISE, the story has a good pace and keeps you thinking.
A lot of the characters are well-developed. Though many readers will enjoy Charlotte and find her to be strong and heroic, she wasn’t my favorite (I don’t like many female MCs, though). I loved the people that were genuinely on her side: Kayla (her attorney), Marty (her late grandmother’s boyfriend), and Luke (a local Sheriff & former high school acquaintance).
Overall, Bone Music is a good genre-bending read. Fans of strong heroines and thrillers should enjoy this series starter. I’d recommend this book to those looking for a different take on a suspense novel.
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Bone Music, for me, was many things — intriguing, fierce, suspenseful, but also not what I was expecting. This book is considered a blend of a superhero origin story and a thriller.
The first book in the Burning Girl Series, Bone Music was written by New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice, son of Anne Rice and head writer/executive producer of the TV production of her books The Vampire Chronicles.
Though it’s sizable book, at over 400 pages, with multiple storylines, Bone Music has an easy flow. Rice’s writing is quite lovely!
Bone Music follows Charlotte Rowe years after being saved from serial killers who raised her as her own once they murdered her mother and abducted her as an infant. She has spent her life broken; struggling to move on and to be accepted with the public, accusing eye on her.
This IS a thriller, so I can’t really disclose much of the plot without giving away spoilers. However, one of the reasons I dwelled on my thoughts for so long after I finished reading it and I did not rate this book higher had to do with a major plot point and my personal distaste for it. So, as vaguely as I can, I’d like to at least touch on that…
Charlotte’s power stems from a drug, and I was not a fan of that. This concept just didn’t sit well with me — someone’s “empowerment” coming from drugs?! Popping a pill so you can hit a level of inordinate strength?! I get it, this is fiction, but I live in a state where opioid (completely different thing, but still…drugs) addiction and deaths are a major issue, so it’s something that kept nagging at me and took away from my reading experience.
OTHERWISE, the story has a good pace and keeps you thinking.
A lot of the characters are well-developed. Though many readers will enjoy Charlotte and find her to be strong and heroic, she wasn’t my favorite (I don’t like many female MCs, though). I loved the people that were genuinely on her side: Kayla (her attorney), Marty (her late grandmother’s boyfriend), and Luke (a local Sheriff & former high school acquaintance).
Overall, Bone Music is a good genre-bending read. Fans of strong heroines and thrillers should enjoy this series starter. I’d recommend this book to those looking for a different take on a suspense novel.
*Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Taming Him by Kennedy Fox
5.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
WOW, y’all…WOW!
I read the synopsis for Taming Him and was SOLD in about .2 seconds! I didn’t have to read much beyond “Alex Bishop is your typical cowboy. Charming, sexy, pany-melting smirk,” and I was rushing to Kennedy Fox’s website to get the full scoop. This book gave me much more than I even hoped for!
The story is told from dual POVs — Alex Bishop, our sexy leading man, and River Lancaster, our sensible leading lady. I rarely enjoy TWO leads a lot, but I genuinely adored both of these characters.
Alex is a southern gentleman who mostly does right by what his Momma taught him. He works extremely hard for his family’s ranch, and he is every bit a strong Texan. BUT, he has a devilishly wild side, and he is not used to being turned down when he sees something (or someone) he wants. He does legitimately put others first, though, and his charm and good looks don’t hurt!
River is a city girl who had a trying and emotional youth, but those experiences shaped her into the smart, caring, yet stubborn person she is in her present life as a pediatric nurse. She is overworked and a particular asshole took advantage her, leaving her a bit deflated. Sometimes, it’s hard for her to cut loose, but it’s just what she needs.
What could possibly happen when these two personalities from two completely different worlds meet as Alex and River are invited on trips by their best friends to Key West?! That’s the fun part, but you need to read the book to find out for yourself!
I will say there is a fun insta-lust, a great character arc, characteristic Kennedy Fox steamy scenes, and southern drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Oh, and one more thing that I was not expecting…there is emotion! There is so much more emotion than I saw coming, and I was left with so many feels!
Overall, I recommend this book to all of you KF fans, New Adult Romance fans, and those who are looking for a story about a cowboy who’s sexier than socks on a rooster! I CANNOT wait to see what the other Bishop brothers are like in their own standalone books coming soon!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
WOW, y’all…WOW!
I read the synopsis for Taming Him and was SOLD in about .2 seconds! I didn’t have to read much beyond “Alex Bishop is your typical cowboy. Charming, sexy, pany-melting smirk,” and I was rushing to Kennedy Fox’s website to get the full scoop. This book gave me much more than I even hoped for!
The story is told from dual POVs — Alex Bishop, our sexy leading man, and River Lancaster, our sensible leading lady. I rarely enjoy TWO leads a lot, but I genuinely adored both of these characters.
Alex is a southern gentleman who mostly does right by what his Momma taught him. He works extremely hard for his family’s ranch, and he is every bit a strong Texan. BUT, he has a devilishly wild side, and he is not used to being turned down when he sees something (or someone) he wants. He does legitimately put others first, though, and his charm and good looks don’t hurt!
River is a city girl who had a trying and emotional youth, but those experiences shaped her into the smart, caring, yet stubborn person she is in her present life as a pediatric nurse. She is overworked and a particular asshole took advantage her, leaving her a bit deflated. Sometimes, it’s hard for her to cut loose, but it’s just what she needs.
What could possibly happen when these two personalities from two completely different worlds meet as Alex and River are invited on trips by their best friends to Key West?! That’s the fun part, but you need to read the book to find out for yourself!
I will say there is a fun insta-lust, a great character arc, characteristic Kennedy Fox steamy scenes, and southern drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Oh, and one more thing that I was not expecting…there is emotion! There is so much more emotion than I saw coming, and I was left with so many feels!
Overall, I recommend this book to all of you KF fans, New Adult Romance fans, and those who are looking for a story about a cowboy who’s sexier than socks on a rooster! I CANNOT wait to see what the other Bishop brothers are like in their own standalone books coming soon!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce
5.0
***Full review on wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Sometimes you approach a book without expectations which makes it that much better when you discover how extraordinary it is! This was my experience with Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce.
Atlas Fallen is Pierce's debut novel; the first book in the Young Adult Science Fiction Cyber Crown Series. Pierce is a self-published author with an adoration for Star Wars, Star Trek, and things of the like. Find out more about Pierce and the inspiration behind this book here.
Guys, this book genuinely did not give off rookie author vibes! Pierce has a very crisp writing style -- concise and effective. The fluidity of her writing makes for a quick, easy read. There are dual POVs, and I always feel that adds to the depth of the narrative. I was captivated which is really all that readers want from authors.
The world-building and character development are phenomenal! I was truly able to get a feel for what the ship, the Atlas, was like. An important component is the political hierarchy, which is well executed. In that sense, you are able to clearly understand the divide among the levels. I was intrigued by so many of the characters and absolutely love the leads, Tesla and Daxton.
Tesla is my favorite kind of female MC -- fierce and determined! She has the grit to do what she needs to survive, a compelling need to uncover the truth about her father, and a darkness lurking beneath the surface driving her forward. Daxton, on the other hand, has no control over his life, and he is fighting to get it back. I swooned, y'all! I love Dax!
Steering clear of calling this a retelling (because it's not!), there are major Aladdin and Cinderella vibes going on with Atlas Fallen. I promise, despite the similar surface stories, Atlas Fallen goes much deeper! Both MCs are trying to uncover their own mysteries aboard the Atlas. There are botFights, some romance, and political unrest! This book is dynamic and fits in well with so many of the other YA Sci-Fi books that readers enjoy.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of The Lunar Chronicles. Little inconsistencies kept this from being a 5-star review, but it is pretty darn close, for me! I cannot wait to see what else Pierce does in the future, and I am certainly looking forward to book #2 in the Cyber Crown Series!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Sometimes you approach a book without expectations which makes it that much better when you discover how extraordinary it is! This was my experience with Atlas Fallen by Jessica Pierce.
Atlas Fallen is Pierce's debut novel; the first book in the Young Adult Science Fiction Cyber Crown Series. Pierce is a self-published author with an adoration for Star Wars, Star Trek, and things of the like. Find out more about Pierce and the inspiration behind this book here.
Guys, this book genuinely did not give off rookie author vibes! Pierce has a very crisp writing style -- concise and effective. The fluidity of her writing makes for a quick, easy read. There are dual POVs, and I always feel that adds to the depth of the narrative. I was captivated which is really all that readers want from authors.
The world-building and character development are phenomenal! I was truly able to get a feel for what the ship, the Atlas, was like. An important component is the political hierarchy, which is well executed. In that sense, you are able to clearly understand the divide among the levels. I was intrigued by so many of the characters and absolutely love the leads, Tesla and Daxton.
Tesla is my favorite kind of female MC -- fierce and determined! She has the grit to do what she needs to survive, a compelling need to uncover the truth about her father, and a darkness lurking beneath the surface driving her forward. Daxton, on the other hand, has no control over his life, and he is fighting to get it back. I swooned, y'all! I love Dax!
Steering clear of calling this a retelling (because it's not!), there are major Aladdin and Cinderella vibes going on with Atlas Fallen. I promise, despite the similar surface stories, Atlas Fallen goes much deeper! Both MCs are trying to uncover their own mysteries aboard the Atlas. There are botFights, some romance, and political unrest! This book is dynamic and fits in well with so many of the other YA Sci-Fi books that readers enjoy.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially to fans of The Lunar Chronicles. Little inconsistencies kept this from being a 5-star review, but it is pretty darn close, for me! I cannot wait to see what else Pierce does in the future, and I am certainly looking forward to book #2 in the Cyber Crown Series!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
5.0
***Full review at wildandwonderfulreads.com
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Ever since I read How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather in the Fall, I have been craving another book about witches that would give me the same kind of feeling — utterly blown away. I got my wish with The Wicked Deep!
Shea Ernshaw gave readers a peek into her life with The Wicked Deep. According to the biography on her author page, Ernshaw is from a small town in Oregon and loves “lakes and deep dark woods.”
The Wicked Deep follows Penny Talbot, a high schooler in the little town of Sparrow, during Swan Season — a brief time at the beginning of summer when three sisters accused of witchcraft return to inhabit the bodies of local girls to kill boys in an act of revenge on the town for not accepting them 200 years prior.
This book is amazing and perfect for fans of Mather’s books, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus. I got a great blend of mystery, suspense, and the touch of romance that I like in books. I devoured The Wicked Deep and have since also listened to the audiobook because THAT’S how much I enjoyed it!
Penny is a quiet, contemplative character, and I really liked her. Listening to the audiobook after reading it helped me to appreciate her character more fully, as I picked up on little things I initially missed. I also think Bo is great. He is intriguing and compelling!
Ernshaw has a smooth writing style and laid out a well-paced plot. Ernshaw really did weave a fantastic story! I’m looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
There is so much that I absolutely adored about this book, that I could go on and on, but I won’t because I don’t want to accidentally spoil anyone. I must commend Simon & Schuster on a stunning cover, though! The naked book is also one of the most beautiful ones that I own.
Overall, OF COURSE I recommend The Wicked Deep! Those who enjoyed the stories I previously mentioned (How to Hang a Witch, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus) should like this one. This truly was a wonderful, thrilling read.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Ever since I read How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather in the Fall, I have been craving another book about witches that would give me the same kind of feeling — utterly blown away. I got my wish with The Wicked Deep!
Shea Ernshaw gave readers a peek into her life with The Wicked Deep. According to the biography on her author page, Ernshaw is from a small town in Oregon and loves “lakes and deep dark woods.”
The Wicked Deep follows Penny Talbot, a high schooler in the little town of Sparrow, during Swan Season — a brief time at the beginning of summer when three sisters accused of witchcraft return to inhabit the bodies of local girls to kill boys in an act of revenge on the town for not accepting them 200 years prior.
This book is amazing and perfect for fans of Mather’s books, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus. I got a great blend of mystery, suspense, and the touch of romance that I like in books. I devoured The Wicked Deep and have since also listened to the audiobook because THAT’S how much I enjoyed it!
Penny is a quiet, contemplative character, and I really liked her. Listening to the audiobook after reading it helped me to appreciate her character more fully, as I picked up on little things I initially missed. I also think Bo is great. He is intriguing and compelling!
Ernshaw has a smooth writing style and laid out a well-paced plot. Ernshaw really did weave a fantastic story! I’m looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
There is so much that I absolutely adored about this book, that I could go on and on, but I won’t because I don’t want to accidentally spoil anyone. I must commend Simon & Schuster on a stunning cover, though! The naked book is also one of the most beautiful ones that I own.
Overall, OF COURSE I recommend The Wicked Deep! Those who enjoyed the stories I previously mentioned (How to Hang a Witch, Practical Magic, and Hocus Pocus) should like this one. This truly was a wonderful, thrilling read.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced galley of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
Wonderland by Emory R. Frie
3.0
***Full book review on wildandwonderfulreads.com***
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Wonderland was selected as the Indie book of the month in April for my online book club, Buxom Book Beauties. Prior to then, I knew nothing about this book or its author, Emory R. Frie. As soon as I saw the cover, though, I was sold! Can we take a second to admire how absolutely stunning the cover of this book is?! Hello, cover buy!
I ordered my copy of Wonderland from Amazon and finally read the synopsis once it arrived. I thought it sounded interesting, and it is not a big book, so I figured it would be a fun, quick read. I took far longer than I probably should have to read this book, and I believe that stems from a disinterest that set in fairly early. I struggled to get into Wonderland.
Speaking (or writing, technically) candidly, I enjoy what little I know about "Alice in Wonderland," but, confession: I have never actually read anything by Lewis Carroll (shameful, I know). My only point of reference for "Alice in Wonderland" is the Disney film adaptation (1951), and I hardly recall specifics from that. So, the elements that I presumed to be pulled from Lewis Carroll's work were almost like new to me. These components, though, were amusing and silly (aside from the Queen of Hearts and her followers, of course), like the Chesire Cat and other Wonderlanders and the magic, as they should be in a world like Wonderland. Someone else who reads Wonderland may have more appreciation for the "Alice" elements and how Emory portayed them in this book, but I could not definitively tell you which were direct references to Carroll's original work and which were newly imagined by Emory.
The beginning of the story follows the main character, Alice Liddell, as she experiences a cruel place called the Facility. At the Facility, Alice befriends several others whose stories inspired popular tales, like Wendy from "Peter Pan" and Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk." I loved that Emory incorporated the characters that Alice befriends at the Facility! Never having read a synopsis for the second book in The Realm Series, I would venture to guess that the series will continue across the various fictional worlds that are associated with these characters. I think it will be interesting to learn more about these characters as the group traverses the realms, but I do not know how urgently I will feel the need to read further into the series to find out what is in store. Again, I struggled to stay interested in Wonderland.
Without sharing spoilers, I will say that I still have a few unanswered questions about the Facility and a mysterious person that helps set the 'Wonderland' portion of the story into motion. Now, there IS a second book in this series, Neverland (Kindle edition published February 2017), but I wish Wonderland did not leave me feeling unfulfilled from its lack of explanation of certain portions of the plot and underdevelopment of some characters and scenes.
For a young writer, I thought Emory did well. I felt like the plot was disjointed at times, and, again, I thought some elements of the story could have been explained more, but as a whole, I think she has a good handle on her writing style, which can only improve as she writes more and harnesses her craft while in college.
Overall, I liked Wonderland, but I did not love it. Some will likely find it to be a fun, quick read, as I had hoped, but it just was not my cup of tea. The book's pace picked up as the story progressed and culminated in a defining action-packed sequence, but the slow start stunted my reading and enjoyment of the adventures of Alice and her crew in Wonderland.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Wonderland was selected as the Indie book of the month in April for my online book club, Buxom Book Beauties. Prior to then, I knew nothing about this book or its author, Emory R. Frie. As soon as I saw the cover, though, I was sold! Can we take a second to admire how absolutely stunning the cover of this book is?! Hello, cover buy!
I ordered my copy of Wonderland from Amazon and finally read the synopsis once it arrived. I thought it sounded interesting, and it is not a big book, so I figured it would be a fun, quick read. I took far longer than I probably should have to read this book, and I believe that stems from a disinterest that set in fairly early. I struggled to get into Wonderland.
Speaking (or writing, technically) candidly, I enjoy what little I know about "Alice in Wonderland," but, confession: I have never actually read anything by Lewis Carroll (shameful, I know). My only point of reference for "Alice in Wonderland" is the Disney film adaptation (1951), and I hardly recall specifics from that. So, the elements that I presumed to be pulled from Lewis Carroll's work were almost like new to me. These components, though, were amusing and silly (aside from the Queen of Hearts and her followers, of course), like the Chesire Cat and other Wonderlanders and the magic, as they should be in a world like Wonderland. Someone else who reads Wonderland may have more appreciation for the "Alice" elements and how Emory portayed them in this book, but I could not definitively tell you which were direct references to Carroll's original work and which were newly imagined by Emory.
The beginning of the story follows the main character, Alice Liddell, as she experiences a cruel place called the Facility. At the Facility, Alice befriends several others whose stories inspired popular tales, like Wendy from "Peter Pan" and Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk." I loved that Emory incorporated the characters that Alice befriends at the Facility! Never having read a synopsis for the second book in The Realm Series, I would venture to guess that the series will continue across the various fictional worlds that are associated with these characters. I think it will be interesting to learn more about these characters as the group traverses the realms, but I do not know how urgently I will feel the need to read further into the series to find out what is in store. Again, I struggled to stay interested in Wonderland.
Without sharing spoilers, I will say that I still have a few unanswered questions about the Facility and a mysterious person that helps set the 'Wonderland' portion of the story into motion. Now, there IS a second book in this series, Neverland (Kindle edition published February 2017), but I wish Wonderland did not leave me feeling unfulfilled from its lack of explanation of certain portions of the plot and underdevelopment of some characters and scenes.
For a young writer, I thought Emory did well. I felt like the plot was disjointed at times, and, again, I thought some elements of the story could have been explained more, but as a whole, I think she has a good handle on her writing style, which can only improve as she writes more and harnesses her craft while in college.
Overall, I liked Wonderland, but I did not love it. Some will likely find it to be a fun, quick read, as I had hoped, but it just was not my cup of tea. The book's pace picked up as the story progressed and culminated in a defining action-packed sequence, but the slow start stunted my reading and enjoyment of the adventures of Alice and her crew in Wonderland.