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obsidian_blue's reviews
3094 reviews
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
2.0
I have been reading JD Robb novels for more than a decade now. I fell in love with the characters from the first "In Death" novel and even though at times my love for the novels has waned a bit here and there I all in all thought these were always still a really good read. Until I came to "Concealed in Death".
The major issues with this novel is continutiy errors about a major part of Eve and Roarke's initial meet; a whole new backstory to Mavis which should have been alluded to in prior novels instead of dumped in this one, very few interactions with other characters that we have grown to love, same old same old with others, and Eve got on my nerves in this one (a lot).
As other reviewers have already said there was a major slipup regarding a button that Roarke always keeps on hand with him since it fell off the gray jacket she was wearing at a funeral when she met Roarke for the first time. I was a little surprised to see that error but figured hey mistakes happen.
Then we turn to Mavis. I really wish that Nora Robers had set up the revelations that readers will find out about Mavis. I am really annoyed it was kind of thrown at readers and as an aside that Dallas already knew this about her but she never told Roarke. I think it would have made for some interesting insight into Mavis all of these years instead of it being used to help Eve solve a case.
I was also annoyed at the lack of interaction between Eve, Baxter, Trueheart, Fenney, McNabb, etc. Instead we get a new character introduced to us who does seem interesting but all we get is Eve and her nasty (insert swear word) match with the person which caused me to start to dislike Eve... a lot. There was no need for the antagonism and I can already see in the next book that Eve will probably have to interact with this person a lot but knowing JD Robb this person will be a serial killer or something to justify Eve's immaturity. What about Louise and Charles? Where the heck was Feeney since he should have been called into help with a high profile murder like this with so many victims.
About the same old same old we have Nadine and Eve sparring (as usual) with Eve giving Nadine information like always. I don't need those scenes anymore. And now (mild spoilers follow) we have the promise of another movie being made about Eve which I don't look forward to at all (end of mild spoilers). I really didn't care for "Celebrity in Death" or any of the characters we met and the murder was just eh to me so I don't really want to go back into that world again. I hope if something materalizes it is off screen so to speak. We have Eve interacting with Dr. Mira and acting closed off then opening up. We have Eve being nasty to Summerset, etc., etc.
Speaking of Eve, I can honestly say there have been times where I disagreed with her or Roarke but always thought that deep down inside she didn't let petty nasty things get to her and seemed to always be about the law. This one she practically reverted to a teenager when not investigating the murders with regards to the new character. There were several other times when I was sick of her too. When we first find out about Mavis's past and the readers and even Eve can see that Mavis is shaken, Eve still tries to get down to just the facts man with Mavis. Roarke had to step in and stop her. Seriously. This is Eve's best friends, someone she loves like a sister and she is too far up her own butt with regards to her investigation to even think about Mavis right in that moment. I am sick of Eve doing this. Her job is important but it does not get to always be number one with others. I really wish some friends' of hers like Louise and Charles (remember them?), Mavis and Leonardo, someone just calls her out on it. It is not a sacrifice to hang out with your family and friends.
So to wrap it up I am annoyed I spent the money I did on this newest "In Death" when this was just a bad filler novel to me. If JD Robb wants to get back on track she actually needs to some growth with Eve. I was surprised in the last novel that Eve decided to go a different way in her career. What could have gave the "In Death" novels a nice shot in the arm would have been Eve having something new going on in her life instead of her just solving murders every other month (In Death timeline). Another reviewer made mention that it's time for Eve and Roarke to have a child so this series can end. If the next novel is as bad as this one than yes I will be happy to see this series end.
I would not recommend this novel.
The major issues with this novel is continutiy errors about a major part of Eve and Roarke's initial meet; a whole new backstory to Mavis which should have been alluded to in prior novels instead of dumped in this one, very few interactions with other characters that we have grown to love, same old same old with others, and Eve got on my nerves in this one (a lot).
As other reviewers have already said there was a major slipup regarding a button that Roarke always keeps on hand with him since it fell off the gray jacket she was wearing at a funeral when she met Roarke for the first time. I was a little surprised to see that error but figured hey mistakes happen.
Then we turn to Mavis. I really wish that Nora Robers had set up the revelations that readers will find out about Mavis. I am really annoyed it was kind of thrown at readers and as an aside that Dallas already knew this about her but she never told Roarke. I think it would have made for some interesting insight into Mavis all of these years instead of it being used to help Eve solve a case.
I was also annoyed at the lack of interaction between Eve, Baxter, Trueheart, Fenney, McNabb, etc. Instead we get a new character introduced to us who does seem interesting but all we get is Eve and her nasty (insert swear word) match with the person which caused me to start to dislike Eve... a lot. There was no need for the antagonism and I can already see in the next book that Eve will probably have to interact with this person a lot but knowing JD Robb this person will be a serial killer or something to justify Eve's immaturity. What about Louise and Charles? Where the heck was Feeney since he should have been called into help with a high profile murder like this with so many victims.
About the same old same old we have Nadine and Eve sparring (as usual) with Eve giving Nadine information like always. I don't need those scenes anymore. And now (mild spoilers follow) we have the promise of another movie being made about Eve which I don't look forward to at all (end of mild spoilers). I really didn't care for "Celebrity in Death" or any of the characters we met and the murder was just eh to me so I don't really want to go back into that world again. I hope if something materalizes it is off screen so to speak. We have Eve interacting with Dr. Mira and acting closed off then opening up. We have Eve being nasty to Summerset, etc., etc.
Speaking of Eve, I can honestly say there have been times where I disagreed with her or Roarke but always thought that deep down inside she didn't let petty nasty things get to her and seemed to always be about the law. This one she practically reverted to a teenager when not investigating the murders with regards to the new character. There were several other times when I was sick of her too. When we first find out about Mavis's past and the readers and even Eve can see that Mavis is shaken, Eve still tries to get down to just the facts man with Mavis. Roarke had to step in and stop her. Seriously. This is Eve's best friends, someone she loves like a sister and she is too far up her own butt with regards to her investigation to even think about Mavis right in that moment. I am sick of Eve doing this. Her job is important but it does not get to always be number one with others. I really wish some friends' of hers like Louise and Charles (remember them?), Mavis and Leonardo, someone just calls her out on it. It is not a sacrifice to hang out with your family and friends.
So to wrap it up I am annoyed I spent the money I did on this newest "In Death" when this was just a bad filler novel to me. If JD Robb wants to get back on track she actually needs to some growth with Eve. I was surprised in the last novel that Eve decided to go a different way in her career. What could have gave the "In Death" novels a nice shot in the arm would have been Eve having something new going on in her life instead of her just solving murders every other month (In Death timeline). Another reviewer made mention that it's time for Eve and Roarke to have a child so this series can end. If the next novel is as bad as this one than yes I will be happy to see this series end.
I would not recommend this novel.
What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin
5.0
This is the first novel I have read by Linda Yellin and after finishing it quickly snatched up The Last Blind Date. Yellin has a way with words and I quickly find myself identifying and loving the character of Molly Hallberg.
Molly is 39 years old with one divorce under her belt and is in a relationship with a bland (but nice) guy. Writing about all of the crazy things she has done in New York she is thrown for a loop when her latest writing assignment is to write about romance in the style of Nora Ephron. Molly goes about it in a haphazard way and meets an up and coming writer and despite his attentions is sure that he is just a sham and really doesn't believe in love conquers all.
I have to say that Molly's voice in this novel is outstanding. She is definitely someone I want to hang out with. Her inability to see that she is Meg Ryan and her boyfriend is Bill Pullman (Paxton, whomever) and that she herself needs that great big love to wake her life up is great. We get to see her slowly starting to see what Nora Ephron's movies mean to women and to herself.
This book caused me to also go and re-watch Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally all over again.
There is honestly nothing I can critique in this novel and would definitely recommend it!
Molly is 39 years old with one divorce under her belt and is in a relationship with a bland (but nice) guy. Writing about all of the crazy things she has done in New York she is thrown for a loop when her latest writing assignment is to write about romance in the style of Nora Ephron. Molly goes about it in a haphazard way and meets an up and coming writer and despite his attentions is sure that he is just a sham and really doesn't believe in love conquers all.
I have to say that Molly's voice in this novel is outstanding. She is definitely someone I want to hang out with. Her inability to see that she is Meg Ryan and her boyfriend is Bill Pullman (Paxton, whomever) and that she herself needs that great big love to wake her life up is great. We get to see her slowly starting to see what Nora Ephron's movies mean to women and to herself.
This book caused me to also go and re-watch Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally all over again.
There is honestly nothing I can critique in this novel and would definitely recommend it!
Evening Stars by Susan Mallery
5.0
I previously read and loved Barefoot Season (Blackberry Island) and Three Sisters (Blackberry Island) which are books one and two in the Blackberry Island series. I have tried to get into the Fool's Gold series but like this one better since it seems to have more depth than that series.
With this latest installment Ms. Mallery focuses on two sisters, Nina and Averill. Nina was introduced in the prior novel, "Three Sisters" as a nurse who was about to go to work with Andi (the pediatrician).
In this novel we find Nina frustrated with her current life since her mother and her partner are constantly needing her to step in and be the adult to keep them from being taken advantage of while they run their antique shop on Blackberry Island. Averil who is younger and lives in CA feels like something is missing from her life and though she loves her husband returns home to see if she can get a handle on why she is not happy. Though both sisters love each other they tend to end up fighting constantly. With Nina having to deal with her ex boyfriend coming back to town and a younger man who used to have a crush on her years ago resurfaces at the same time she finds herself fighting to stay in control.
Overall I really loved this novel. We get some welcome appearances by Andi, Boston, and Deanna from the last book but we don't really get much time to catch up with that trio. We do get several steamy sex scenes throughout the novel. Also Nina's voice was written very strong and I had nothing but sympathy for her throughout this entire novel.
Probably the weakest link in this story is the character of Averil. I honestly felt like she still at the end did not get what her behavior and actions to date were part of the problem with her and her sister and also her husband. And I didn't care for their mother at all. Some of her behavior in this story was just unthinkable and I have no idea how either daughter even managed to put up with her through the years. Though I liked the ending I didn't think that the mother "deserved" such a happy ending.
I think to make this a stronger novel it should have just stayed focused on Nina instead of switching the third person narrative between her and Averil. Also one thing that Susan Mallery always seems to put in her novels that is starting to make me laugh (probably not the reaction she wants) is that every time the hero and heroine make love she talks about the heroine seeing into the hero's "soul" when he reaches his peak so to speak. Now I don't know everything but I do know that is not possible. It's a minor thing but every time she puts that in her novels I do crack up.
I would still recommend to long-time fans who want to catch up with the characters on Blackberry Island.
With this latest installment Ms. Mallery focuses on two sisters, Nina and Averill. Nina was introduced in the prior novel, "Three Sisters" as a nurse who was about to go to work with Andi (the pediatrician).
In this novel we find Nina frustrated with her current life since her mother and her partner are constantly needing her to step in and be the adult to keep them from being taken advantage of while they run their antique shop on Blackberry Island. Averil who is younger and lives in CA feels like something is missing from her life and though she loves her husband returns home to see if she can get a handle on why she is not happy. Though both sisters love each other they tend to end up fighting constantly. With Nina having to deal with her ex boyfriend coming back to town and a younger man who used to have a crush on her years ago resurfaces at the same time she finds herself fighting to stay in control.
Overall I really loved this novel. We get some welcome appearances by Andi, Boston, and Deanna from the last book but we don't really get much time to catch up with that trio. We do get several steamy sex scenes throughout the novel. Also Nina's voice was written very strong and I had nothing but sympathy for her throughout this entire novel.
Probably the weakest link in this story is the character of Averil. I honestly felt like she still at the end did not get what her behavior and actions to date were part of the problem with her and her sister and also her husband. And I didn't care for their mother at all. Some of her behavior in this story was just unthinkable and I have no idea how either daughter even managed to put up with her through the years. Though I liked the ending I didn't think that the mother "deserved" such a happy ending.
I think to make this a stronger novel it should have just stayed focused on Nina instead of switching the third person narrative between her and Averil. Also one thing that Susan Mallery always seems to put in her novels that is starting to make me laugh (probably not the reaction she wants) is that every time the hero and heroine make love she talks about the heroine seeing into the hero's "soul" when he reaches his peak so to speak. Now I don't know everything but I do know that is not possible. It's a minor thing but every time she puts that in her novels I do crack up.
I would still recommend to long-time fans who want to catch up with the characters on Blackberry Island.
Dead by Sunset by Ann Rule
5.0
I recall reading an anthology of true crime stories by Ann Rule a few years ago. I recall being terribly disturbed by what fellow human beings can do to one another. After being snowed in again (seriously Mother Nature...knock it off) I decided to download this Kindle edition of her book, Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? since I recall this case being on American Justice a few years back.
Ann Rule starts with the scene of the crime in Oregon in 1986 where a passerby finds Cheryl Keeton beaten to death inside her vehicle in Oregon. Then it transitions to Doctor Sara Gordon and her new boyfriend Brad Cunningham. Readers quickly find out that Brad is the ex husband of Cheryl Keeton and is a prime suspect in her death. Then Ann Rule works backwards and explores Brad's parents, his childhood, and his previous marriages and relationships with others. It is a fascinating read. We also have Ann compare Cheryl's past and what led her to meet and marry Brad in the first place.
What always gets me about Ann Rule novels is that you just hope for things to turn out differently. You read about the victims and you they remind you of someone that you now know or used to know and you wish that they were still alive somewhere enjoying their lives.
I thought this was a very complex True Crime novel and though it dragged in bits (I really didn't care that much about Brad's parents and uncle and aunts background at all) all in all it was a good read. It really picks up when you get to the trial and the aftermath.
I would definitely recommend to other true crime readers out there!
Ann Rule starts with the scene of the crime in Oregon in 1986 where a passerby finds Cheryl Keeton beaten to death inside her vehicle in Oregon. Then it transitions to Doctor Sara Gordon and her new boyfriend Brad Cunningham. Readers quickly find out that Brad is the ex husband of Cheryl Keeton and is a prime suspect in her death. Then Ann Rule works backwards and explores Brad's parents, his childhood, and his previous marriages and relationships with others. It is a fascinating read. We also have Ann compare Cheryl's past and what led her to meet and marry Brad in the first place.
What always gets me about Ann Rule novels is that you just hope for things to turn out differently. You read about the victims and you they remind you of someone that you now know or used to know and you wish that they were still alive somewhere enjoying their lives.
I thought this was a very complex True Crime novel and though it dragged in bits (I really didn't care that much about Brad's parents and uncle and aunts background at all) all in all it was a good read. It really picks up when you get to the trial and the aftermath.
I would definitely recommend to other true crime readers out there!
A Different Kind of Forever by Dee Ernst
5.0
ow many women have a fantasy about a hot younger rich man who finds you unbelievable attractive coming into your lives? If you do, this book, "A Different Kind of Forever" is for you.
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!
Blossom Street Brides by Debbie Macomber
5.0
The last few Blossom Street series have been hit or miss for me. I really liked her last one in the series, "Starting Now" though there was a big plot that I disliked intensely in that novel, "Starting Now: A Blossom Street Novel."
With her latest, "Blossom Street Brides" Ms. Macomber returns to Blossom Street to catch up with fan favorites such as Lydia from "The Shop on Blossom Street" and Bethanne who is still running her party planning business and a new character, Lauren who works at a jewelry store on Blossom Street.
I really did love "A Good Yarn" where we are first introduced to Bethanne and her family where we follow up with them in "A Turn in the Road" I can honestly say that I did not like that novel at all. I though that Bethanne who went from this strong independent woman in "A Good Yarn" turned into a wishy washy indecisive woman. I also ended up disliking her daughter Annie and her former mother in law.
Now to turn to this novel. First I have to say that Ms. Macomber is writing the characters are three dimensional characters again which makes me happy. She actually has plots going on with the three women and we have peeks at former characters from the prior Blossom Street novels. We have Bethanne still adjusting to her 15 month marriage to her husband Max. Lydia still trying to run her store 'A Good Yarn', be there for her family, and deal with her mother's ongoing problems with Alzheimer's disease. Lauren is starting to realize that her two year relationship is going nowhere and that if she wants to be married with children she is going to have to take matters into her own hands.
My main reason for giving this four stars is that with that said I honestly didn't understand besides the one character what this had to do with Blossom Street Brides (notice the plural). It is pretty much stretching it to the story having two brides since one of the brides was a side character in another side character's story that readers don't lay eyes on until the epilogue.
I also thought that Ms. Macomber would have been better served by just focusing on Lauren and Bethanne's stories in this one. Those two characters plots were the strongest for me and I found myself skimming over Lydia's. Also the reveal of who is leaving the baskets all over town I figured out after the first two chapters.
I would recommend to fans of Debbie Macomber!
Please note I received this novel for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
With her latest, "Blossom Street Brides" Ms. Macomber returns to Blossom Street to catch up with fan favorites such as Lydia from "The Shop on Blossom Street" and Bethanne who is still running her party planning business and a new character, Lauren who works at a jewelry store on Blossom Street.
I really did love "A Good Yarn" where we are first introduced to Bethanne and her family where we follow up with them in "A Turn in the Road" I can honestly say that I did not like that novel at all. I though that Bethanne who went from this strong independent woman in "A Good Yarn" turned into a wishy washy indecisive woman. I also ended up disliking her daughter Annie and her former mother in law.
Now to turn to this novel. First I have to say that Ms. Macomber is writing the characters are three dimensional characters again which makes me happy. She actually has plots going on with the three women and we have peeks at former characters from the prior Blossom Street novels. We have Bethanne still adjusting to her 15 month marriage to her husband Max. Lydia still trying to run her store 'A Good Yarn', be there for her family, and deal with her mother's ongoing problems with Alzheimer's disease. Lauren is starting to realize that her two year relationship is going nowhere and that if she wants to be married with children she is going to have to take matters into her own hands.
My main reason for giving this four stars is that with that said I honestly didn't understand besides the one character what this had to do with Blossom Street Brides (notice the plural). It is pretty much stretching it to the story having two brides since one of the brides was a side character in another side character's story that readers don't lay eyes on until the epilogue.
I also thought that Ms. Macomber would have been better served by just focusing on Lauren and Bethanne's stories in this one. Those two characters plots were the strongest for me and I found myself skimming over Lydia's. Also the reveal of who is leaving the baskets all over town I figured out after the first two chapters.
I would recommend to fans of Debbie Macomber!
Please note I received this novel for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan
4.0
A few years back I read Ms. Tan's "Rule for Virgins" and loved Magic Gourd's lessons to Violet the courtesan. Now we move to the full length novel titled "The Valley of Amazement".
The Valley of Amazement begins with the tale of Violet, a half American and Chinese girl living in Shanghai with her mother who runs a house for courtesans. The story flips more than halfway through to Violet's mother Lucia who provides details on her characters background and what brought her to China.
I have to say that I really really loved "Rules for Virgins". I loved the character of Magic Gourd and "Rules for Virgin" appears in "The Valley of Amazement". I thought Magic Gourd's tales of her upbringing were more fascinating to me than the tale of Violet or Lucia.
Moving on to the character of Violet. At times I find her selfish, pitiable, and strong. I felt for her and the circumstances she ended up in.
The only reason why I gave this novel 3.5 stars is that I think unlike with previous Amy Tan novels I honestly didn't get a feel for food or smells. I remember reading "The Bonesetter's Daughter" and feeling as if I could taste the food described and the smell of some of the people and could picture their faces.
Also I think trying to introduce Lucia's story into the novel at such a late point ended up taking me out of Violet's story. I wanted to get back to Violet and her life.
I remember reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" and being fascinated by how women were trained up to be geishas. I thought this novel would be similar to that in providing readers with details on how courtesans were brought up and trained. Besides "The Rules for Virgins" I really didn't get a feel for how courtesans were really trained and how Violet used those lessons by Magic Gourd to capture suitors.
I still thought this was a very good read and would recommend to fans of Amy Tan.
The Valley of Amazement begins with the tale of Violet, a half American and Chinese girl living in Shanghai with her mother who runs a house for courtesans. The story flips more than halfway through to Violet's mother Lucia who provides details on her characters background and what brought her to China.
I have to say that I really really loved "Rules for Virgins". I loved the character of Magic Gourd and "Rules for Virgin" appears in "The Valley of Amazement". I thought Magic Gourd's tales of her upbringing were more fascinating to me than the tale of Violet or Lucia.
Moving on to the character of Violet. At times I find her selfish, pitiable, and strong. I felt for her and the circumstances she ended up in.
The only reason why I gave this novel 3.5 stars is that I think unlike with previous Amy Tan novels I honestly didn't get a feel for food or smells. I remember reading "The Bonesetter's Daughter" and feeling as if I could taste the food described and the smell of some of the people and could picture their faces.
Also I think trying to introduce Lucia's story into the novel at such a late point ended up taking me out of Violet's story. I wanted to get back to Violet and her life.
I remember reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" and being fascinated by how women were trained up to be geishas. I thought this novel would be similar to that in providing readers with details on how courtesans were brought up and trained. Besides "The Rules for Virgins" I really didn't get a feel for how courtesans were really trained and how Violet used those lessons by Magic Gourd to capture suitors.
I still thought this was a very good read and would recommend to fans of Amy Tan.
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
4.0
I previously read Joyce Maynard's "The Good Daughters" and liked that book so bought this one as well.
Taking place in the summer of 1987 on the Labor Day weekend, 13 year old Henry comes across a man named Frank that will change his and his mother's lives. The novel flashes back between 1987 and the present day Henry still reeling from the repercussions of that weekend.
I honestly felt for Henry throughout this novel. He is a 13 year old boy who is left adrift due to his absent father and his present mother who is not fully there for Henry. I felt for him throughout the entire novel and definitely understood why he took certain actions. Not because he wanted to hurt anyone but just because he needed to be important and loved by someone.
I don't want to spoil too much in this review except to say that Henry's mother Adele I honestly could not get a rid on at all. I don't know if as a reader I was supposed to pity or demonize her for what she choose to do and how ineffective she was in Henry's life. At times I felt sympathy for the character but with her ignoring what was best for Henry in order for her own happiness was just a little hard to take.
Ms. Maynard writes very well and her descriptions of just smells and feelings were at times so vivid I felt as if I was right there along with Henry.
I was disappointed in the ending (not because of the writing) just because to me it was so unrealistic. That was the only reason why I gave this book four stars.
Taking place in the summer of 1987 on the Labor Day weekend, 13 year old Henry comes across a man named Frank that will change his and his mother's lives. The novel flashes back between 1987 and the present day Henry still reeling from the repercussions of that weekend.
I honestly felt for Henry throughout this novel. He is a 13 year old boy who is left adrift due to his absent father and his present mother who is not fully there for Henry. I felt for him throughout the entire novel and definitely understood why he took certain actions. Not because he wanted to hurt anyone but just because he needed to be important and loved by someone.
I don't want to spoil too much in this review except to say that Henry's mother Adele I honestly could not get a rid on at all. I don't know if as a reader I was supposed to pity or demonize her for what she choose to do and how ineffective she was in Henry's life. At times I felt sympathy for the character but with her ignoring what was best for Henry in order for her own happiness was just a little hard to take.
Ms. Maynard writes very well and her descriptions of just smells and feelings were at times so vivid I felt as if I was right there along with Henry.
I was disappointed in the ending (not because of the writing) just because to me it was so unrealistic. That was the only reason why I gave this book four stars.
Redshirts by John Scalzi
5.0
I am a sci-fi/fantasy nerd. I love the Stark Trek films (even though when you think about it half the things they do are not scientifically possible). And have watched everything from Doctor Who to Battlestar Gallatica. However, my secret shame is that I don't read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy novels with emphasis on the science fiction part (cue the horrified screams).
However, after being told by my friends that I needed to read this novel and also pick up a few books by this author (have Old Man's War on my To Be Read pile) I finally finished this novel.
Mr. Scalzi's fun take of anyone in a red-shirt (except for main characters) was expendable was cleverly done.
This book follows Ensign Andrew Dahlof and some of the crew of the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid. I really don't want to get too specific since I will end up spoiling for other readers out there (and I hate when reviews do that) and just say that this novel had some serious laugh out loud moments for me. The first chapter of the book literally took my breath away and from there I was engrossed. When we find out about the secret behind the Intrepid I did feel a bit of a letdown. After I read the secret I did feel letdown since I thought it would be one of those novels which throws a MacGuffin in at the last minute and try to wrap things up in a tidy bow and was all ready to write the entire book off.
However, I am glad I kept reading since the novel moved in an entirely different way which honestly moved me. This novel could have been just a slap-sticky sort of nonsense and a poke at the Star Trek and other like series but it really in the end was not. It was an interesting look at free-will, fate, and what makes "us" us.
The only reason why I gave this novel a 4.5 star out of 5 was just because I thought coda 1 ruined the momentum of the ending and the rest of the novel as a whole. I did love coda 2 and coda 3 just once again moved me to tears.
Would definitely recommend!
However, after being told by my friends that I needed to read this novel and also pick up a few books by this author (have Old Man's War on my To Be Read pile) I finally finished this novel.
Mr. Scalzi's fun take of anyone in a red-shirt (except for main characters) was expendable was cleverly done.
This book follows Ensign Andrew Dahlof and some of the crew of the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid. I really don't want to get too specific since I will end up spoiling for other readers out there (and I hate when reviews do that) and just say that this novel had some serious laugh out loud moments for me. The first chapter of the book literally took my breath away and from there I was engrossed. When we find out about the secret behind the Intrepid I did feel a bit of a letdown. After I read the secret I did feel letdown since I thought it would be one of those novels which throws a MacGuffin in at the last minute and try to wrap things up in a tidy bow and was all ready to write the entire book off.
However, I am glad I kept reading since the novel moved in an entirely different way which honestly moved me. This novel could have been just a slap-sticky sort of nonsense and a poke at the Star Trek and other like series but it really in the end was not. It was an interesting look at free-will, fate, and what makes "us" us.
The only reason why I gave this novel a 4.5 star out of 5 was just because I thought coda 1 ruined the momentum of the ending and the rest of the novel as a whole. I did love coda 2 and coda 3 just once again moved me to tears.
Would definitely recommend!
London Transports by Maeve Binchy
5.0
I love Maeve Binchy. I honestly really did cry when I head that she had passed away. I have been reading her novels and short stories for so many years I was just used to her books. No matter what she was always an automatic buy for me. I have not had a chance to read all of her books so decided to go back and read the ones I have not up until now.
I really did enjoy London Transports. I do think that she was a very fine teller of short stories and wish that more authors out there would do short story collections these days.
All of the stories take place in London and each story had what I would consider a realistic ending. For those that have read Maeve Binchy before she has stories that deal with adultery, betrayal, abortion, love, unrequited love, race relations. I think my favorite stories in this collection were actually:
"Holland Park" when a woman comes to a realization about who she really loves and owes it all to two people she really can't stand.
"Lancaster Gate" when a woman comes to the end of a relationship.
"Marble Arch" when a woman who has sacrificed for her boyfriend realizes that not everything is as it seems.
"Holborn" a married woman meets up with her ex and his new wife and is shocked by how changed he is.
And my hand's down favorite story "King's Cross" where a woman comes along and helps her female boss in becoming noticed and promoted at her job.
I definitely recommend to long-time and new readers of Maeve Binchy's work.
I really did enjoy London Transports. I do think that she was a very fine teller of short stories and wish that more authors out there would do short story collections these days.
All of the stories take place in London and each story had what I would consider a realistic ending. For those that have read Maeve Binchy before she has stories that deal with adultery, betrayal, abortion, love, unrequited love, race relations. I think my favorite stories in this collection were actually:
"Holland Park" when a woman comes to a realization about who she really loves and owes it all to two people she really can't stand.
"Lancaster Gate" when a woman comes to the end of a relationship.
"Marble Arch" when a woman who has sacrificed for her boyfriend realizes that not everything is as it seems.
"Holborn" a married woman meets up with her ex and his new wife and is shocked by how changed he is.
And my hand's down favorite story "King's Cross" where a woman comes along and helps her female boss in becoming noticed and promoted at her job.
I definitely recommend to long-time and new readers of Maeve Binchy's work.