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simplystacie's reviews
165 reviews
The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma
5.0
I could easily see The Map of Time becoming a literary classic. Felix J. Palma is a masterful storyteller that weaves a tale that left me on the edge of my seat. Even though it is a long one with over 500+ pages, I was still sad to see it end.
The book is broken up into various tales all different yet intertwined. The first part was the story of the wealthy aristocrat, Andrew, who we see is deeply depressed. The reader learns that many years ago the love his life, Marie Kelly, was brutally murdered by Jack the Ripper. Andrew feels immense guilt because he arrived too late to save her life. Many years later, he finds out about a place called Murray's Time Travel that can send people to the future...to the year 2000 to be exact. Andrew desperately wants to go back in time to save Marie from being killed. His cousin, Charles, arranges this to happen, but not with Murray's Time Travel. Instead they enlist the help of The Time Machine author himself, H.G. Wells!!
Andrew's story shocked me because I could have never predicted what was to actually happen. It still amazes me to think just how GOOD this author. Yep you got me- I had no clue! I would love to be able to tell you more, but I don't want to ruin it for you.
The next part of the book is about a young single woman named Claire who is also not happy with her current life. In Claire's case, she is just extremely bored with the Victorian era and has it set in her mind that she is going to time travel to the year 2000 and stay there! She goes to Murray's Time Travel and registers for the next expedition to the year 2000 to witness the war between the Automatons and the brave Captain Shackleton (think the future in the movie Terminator). This story also has a nice little twist that yet again I did not see coming!
What I like about this book is how all the characters are connected to each other in some way or another. What happens in one part of the book may not make sense or be completely understood until you are reading another part of the book from a different character's point of view. H.G. Wells was a character connected to every part and seemed to me to be the main character of the book. I've never read The Time Machine, but after reading The Map of Time, I want to get my hands on a copy.
The Map of Time is wonderful and has become one of my favourite books of all time.
The book is broken up into various tales all different yet intertwined. The first part was the story of the wealthy aristocrat, Andrew, who we see is deeply depressed. The reader learns that many years ago the love his life, Marie Kelly, was brutally murdered by Jack the Ripper. Andrew feels immense guilt because he arrived too late to save her life. Many years later, he finds out about a place called Murray's Time Travel that can send people to the future...to the year 2000 to be exact. Andrew desperately wants to go back in time to save Marie from being killed. His cousin, Charles, arranges this to happen, but not with Murray's Time Travel. Instead they enlist the help of The Time Machine author himself, H.G. Wells!!
Andrew's story shocked me because I could have never predicted what was to actually happen. It still amazes me to think just how GOOD this author. Yep you got me- I had no clue! I would love to be able to tell you more, but I don't want to ruin it for you.
The next part of the book is about a young single woman named Claire who is also not happy with her current life. In Claire's case, she is just extremely bored with the Victorian era and has it set in her mind that she is going to time travel to the year 2000 and stay there! She goes to Murray's Time Travel and registers for the next expedition to the year 2000 to witness the war between the Automatons and the brave Captain Shackleton (think the future in the movie Terminator). This story also has a nice little twist that yet again I did not see coming!
What I like about this book is how all the characters are connected to each other in some way or another. What happens in one part of the book may not make sense or be completely understood until you are reading another part of the book from a different character's point of view. H.G. Wells was a character connected to every part and seemed to me to be the main character of the book. I've never read The Time Machine, but after reading The Map of Time, I want to get my hands on a copy.
The Map of Time is wonderful and has become one of my favourite books of all time.
Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later by Francine Pascal
2.0
I grew up reading the Sweet Valley High books and had the entire collection. I remember my mom taking me to the bookstore and I would buy about 6 or 7 books and then go home and read them all day long. I was a real bookworm and averaged about a book a day! I just loved both Elizabeth and Jessica and all their friends and couldn’t get enough of Sweet Valley High. Of course, as I got older I outgrew the books and moved onto other things, but I have fond memories of my early teen years sitting at home on my living room couch reading.
I couldn’t wait to dive into Sweet Valley Confidential to see how Jessica and Elizabeth’s lives had turned out. I was a bit shocked actually at what a hot mess their lives had become. The betrayal that took place was unforgivable in my mind. I don’t think I would have ever talked to my sister if she had done that to me. You find out within the first few pages of the book anyways so its not really a spoiler- Todd (Elizabeth’s fiance) and Jessica were having an affair for years behind Elizabeth’s back. Elizabeth was of course devastated and fled to New York City to start her life over again.
The book jumps back and forth between New York (Elizabeth) and Sweet Valley (Jessica and Todd) so the reader can see both sides of the story. Jessica is sad and feels bad because she hurt her sister so badly and Elizabeth is upset and angry at her and Todd’s lies and betrayal. At times, I found it to be a bit chaotic with all the jumping back and forth between the past and present and character to character. I would have liked the author to focus on one character for a little bit longer than a few pages or a chapter.
I did like when it referred to other characters in the series like Enid Rollins, Lila Fowler and Winston Egbert so we can see what they were up to. It definitely was NOT what I expected that they would end up like…well for the most part! There’s a big shocker with Steven Wakefield, the older brother of Jessica and Elizabeth. I didn’t see that coming either!
The book was not what I expected and had a depressing undertone. There was so much hurt and negativity and that really wasn’t what I anticipated at all from a 10 years later book about Sweet Valley High. I guess I was hoping that my favourite characters would at least be happy, but that wasn’t the case at all!
I couldn’t wait to dive into Sweet Valley Confidential to see how Jessica and Elizabeth’s lives had turned out. I was a bit shocked actually at what a hot mess their lives had become. The betrayal that took place was unforgivable in my mind. I don’t think I would have ever talked to my sister if she had done that to me. You find out within the first few pages of the book anyways so its not really a spoiler- Todd (Elizabeth’s fiance) and Jessica were having an affair for years behind Elizabeth’s back. Elizabeth was of course devastated and fled to New York City to start her life over again.
The book jumps back and forth between New York (Elizabeth) and Sweet Valley (Jessica and Todd) so the reader can see both sides of the story. Jessica is sad and feels bad because she hurt her sister so badly and Elizabeth is upset and angry at her and Todd’s lies and betrayal. At times, I found it to be a bit chaotic with all the jumping back and forth between the past and present and character to character. I would have liked the author to focus on one character for a little bit longer than a few pages or a chapter.
I did like when it referred to other characters in the series like Enid Rollins, Lila Fowler and Winston Egbert so we can see what they were up to. It definitely was NOT what I expected that they would end up like…well for the most part! There’s a big shocker with Steven Wakefield, the older brother of Jessica and Elizabeth. I didn’t see that coming either!
The book was not what I expected and had a depressing undertone. There was so much hurt and negativity and that really wasn’t what I anticipated at all from a 10 years later book about Sweet Valley High. I guess I was hoping that my favourite characters would at least be happy, but that wasn’t the case at all!
Last Bus Out by Beck McDowell
5.0
I remember hearing about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on our local news 6 years ago. My heart went out to all the people of New Orleans and surrounding area. I remember being shocked at just how bad it really was. When I got the offer to review Beck McDowell’s book, Last Bus Out, I knew I just had to read this book. Courtney Mile’s story about how he endured Hurricane Katrina and helped hundreds of people was one that piqued my interest and I wanted to experience what he went through first hand.
Beck McDowell draws the reader in from the very first page and we learn what kind of person, Courtney Miles is. He is not your typical teenager and has already overcome huge hurdles in his life with his mother being in jail, absent father and not having enough money for food or shelter. I was amazed right from the start just how strong this boy really was. Courtney had a good head on his shoulders even though he lived in a rough neighbourhood and was surrounded by violence and illegal activities every single day. I liked him right from the start.
I was captivated reading Courtney’s description of experiencing the actual hurricane as he lay huddled inside his girlfriends apartment with her family. It sounded absolutely terrifying. When Courtney left the next day to go back home, he was overwhelmed with all the destruction Hurricane Katrina left in her path. It was like a war zone. For days, the people in his town waited and waited for help to come because there was no electricity, no food or clean water and they were feeling hopeless. It was terrible actually and I couldn’t even imagine just how awful it must have been to wait for help that never came.
Courtney didn’t have a driver’s license and had only driven a car a few times before, but he got the idea that he needed to DO SOMETHING! It was this initiative in Courtney that saved so many lives. Courtney and his friends ended up borrowing a few school buses and planned to fit as many people as they could in each and get the people to safety.
They packed the bus really full and from the descriptions it was crazy just how tight and cramped that bus must have been. Still, Courtney had even more obstacles to face as he drove the people to shelter and food. The police and National Guard weren’t letting anyone out! Now this is what makes me really upset. They weren’t helping these people and they weren’t letting them leave either to find help themselves. It was terrible. Courtney ended up finding another way out and with luck on his side he ended up making it to Lafayette to the Cajundome where they had set up a shelter for people.
What really made Courtney endearing and special is that he was true to his word. He saw people on the side of the road who were trying to get away as well. They were victims of the Ninth Ward, one of the heaviest hit areas of New Orleans. He knew there was no room left on the bus or he would have let them on. Courtney told these people he would come back for them and he did. I’m sure those people thought they were doomed and they were overjoyed when they saw Courtney come back in his big yellow school bus and bring them to safety.
Courtney Miles is a true hero and his story touched my heart. I cried in many parts as I read through it. I actually had a hard time putting it down and read the book in two sittings. His a story of courage and shows the there are still people out there with good hearts who do care. Courtney Miles is one of those people and I recommend you read his story. It’s an amazing one.
Beck McDowell draws the reader in from the very first page and we learn what kind of person, Courtney Miles is. He is not your typical teenager and has already overcome huge hurdles in his life with his mother being in jail, absent father and not having enough money for food or shelter. I was amazed right from the start just how strong this boy really was. Courtney had a good head on his shoulders even though he lived in a rough neighbourhood and was surrounded by violence and illegal activities every single day. I liked him right from the start.
I was captivated reading Courtney’s description of experiencing the actual hurricane as he lay huddled inside his girlfriends apartment with her family. It sounded absolutely terrifying. When Courtney left the next day to go back home, he was overwhelmed with all the destruction Hurricane Katrina left in her path. It was like a war zone. For days, the people in his town waited and waited for help to come because there was no electricity, no food or clean water and they were feeling hopeless. It was terrible actually and I couldn’t even imagine just how awful it must have been to wait for help that never came.
Courtney didn’t have a driver’s license and had only driven a car a few times before, but he got the idea that he needed to DO SOMETHING! It was this initiative in Courtney that saved so many lives. Courtney and his friends ended up borrowing a few school buses and planned to fit as many people as they could in each and get the people to safety.
They packed the bus really full and from the descriptions it was crazy just how tight and cramped that bus must have been. Still, Courtney had even more obstacles to face as he drove the people to shelter and food. The police and National Guard weren’t letting anyone out! Now this is what makes me really upset. They weren’t helping these people and they weren’t letting them leave either to find help themselves. It was terrible. Courtney ended up finding another way out and with luck on his side he ended up making it to Lafayette to the Cajundome where they had set up a shelter for people.
What really made Courtney endearing and special is that he was true to his word. He saw people on the side of the road who were trying to get away as well. They were victims of the Ninth Ward, one of the heaviest hit areas of New Orleans. He knew there was no room left on the bus or he would have let them on. Courtney told these people he would come back for them and he did. I’m sure those people thought they were doomed and they were overjoyed when they saw Courtney come back in his big yellow school bus and bring them to safety.
Courtney Miles is a true hero and his story touched my heart. I cried in many parts as I read through it. I actually had a hard time putting it down and read the book in two sittings. His a story of courage and shows the there are still people out there with good hearts who do care. Courtney Miles is one of those people and I recommend you read his story. It’s an amazing one.
Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman
5.0
Wildflower Hill is at the top of my list for favourite books of the year and I would even say I consider it one of my favourite books of all time. It was absolutely wonderful. It's the kind of the book that leaves a lasting impression. I finished it a couple weeks ago and I am still thinking about it.
I think of one of the reasons why Wildflower Hill really touched me was the rich characters especially Beattie. I fell in love with her strength and kindness. I envied how she dealt so courageously with all the difficult situations life threw her in and she never once stopped to feel sorry for herself. This woman endured SO MUCH heartache that I was literally sobbing and even thinking back and imagining myself in the situation she was in, makes me misty eyed.
This book brought out so many emotions in me and to me, that's a sign of a good book. I love books that can make me feel for the characters and be in the moment with them rather than just reading and observing. I felt anger towards Beattie's parents for abandoning her, and was furious with Beattie's "husband" and his wife. I don't want to give the story away so I want to be careful what I say.
The story goes back and forth between the present day with Emma, the ballerina and back to the 1920s and 30s to her grandmother, Beattie's time. It's perfectly woven though so you don't feel like its jumping back and forth. I think Kimberley Freeman did an amazing job intertwining the two generations and developing the family history that becomes so important to Emma in the present day.
I also really enjoyed the scenes in the Tasmanian countryside. Wildflower Hill appears to be a breathtaking location and I was taken away with all the vivid description of the countryside.
This book is a "must-read". I'm going to read it again because I loved it that much.
I think of one of the reasons why Wildflower Hill really touched me was the rich characters especially Beattie. I fell in love with her strength and kindness. I envied how she dealt so courageously with all the difficult situations life threw her in and she never once stopped to feel sorry for herself. This woman endured SO MUCH heartache that I was literally sobbing and even thinking back and imagining myself in the situation she was in, makes me misty eyed.
This book brought out so many emotions in me and to me, that's a sign of a good book. I love books that can make me feel for the characters and be in the moment with them rather than just reading and observing. I felt anger towards Beattie's parents for abandoning her, and was furious with Beattie's "husband" and his wife. I don't want to give the story away so I want to be careful what I say.
The story goes back and forth between the present day with Emma, the ballerina and back to the 1920s and 30s to her grandmother, Beattie's time. It's perfectly woven though so you don't feel like its jumping back and forth. I think Kimberley Freeman did an amazing job intertwining the two generations and developing the family history that becomes so important to Emma in the present day.
I also really enjoyed the scenes in the Tasmanian countryside. Wildflower Hill appears to be a breathtaking location and I was taken away with all the vivid description of the countryside.
This book is a "must-read". I'm going to read it again because I loved it that much.
City of Darkness by Kim Wright
4.0
City of Darkness is the first ebook I read on my new Kindle Fire and it was a great experience! The book was phenomenal and I looked forward to sitting in my bed curled up with blankets reading about the city of London in 1888 while Jack the Ripper roams the streets.
I read Kim Wright's Love in Mid Air two years ago and enjoyed it as well. This book, however, seems to be in a different genre. While Love in Mid Air was more of a women's fiction novel, City of Darkness was an historical mystery. I find her writing style easy to read. I was hooked from the first few pages and had a hard time putting the book down.
I could vividly picture all the characters especially Aunt Gerry, Leanna and Emma. I love that she had such strong female personalities even back in the late 1800s. I got a kick every time Aunt Gerry was mentioned because she was so eccentric, but with a huge heart. They were all very likable and interesting.
I also really liked Trevor Welles and how dedicated and professional he was in trying to solve the Jack the Ripper murders. He went above and beyond and strived to improve the way cases were handled. I imagined how different cases were processed back then with the primitive technology they had. Trevor mentions his desire to learn forensics from the French and tried out a few of their techniques on his own. His experiments always didn't turn out so well though! I was rooting for him to get his big break in the case.
I was fascinated reading the scenes with Jack the Ripper. I've always been interested in true crime books and this case has always intrigued me. Some of the scenes were pretty brutal and I cringed knowing that they are based on fact and real women actually endured his brutality. I was hoping they would catch the guy and put him to justice, but we all know that they never caught the Ripper and City of Darkness stays true to that. Although, I did find out which character was the Ripper in this book and I didn't see it coming. That's all I'm going to say though because I don't want to ruin the suspense!
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, City of Light which takes place in Paris during the World's Fair!
I read Kim Wright's Love in Mid Air two years ago and enjoyed it as well. This book, however, seems to be in a different genre. While Love in Mid Air was more of a women's fiction novel, City of Darkness was an historical mystery. I find her writing style easy to read. I was hooked from the first few pages and had a hard time putting the book down.
I could vividly picture all the characters especially Aunt Gerry, Leanna and Emma. I love that she had such strong female personalities even back in the late 1800s. I got a kick every time Aunt Gerry was mentioned because she was so eccentric, but with a huge heart. They were all very likable and interesting.
I also really liked Trevor Welles and how dedicated and professional he was in trying to solve the Jack the Ripper murders. He went above and beyond and strived to improve the way cases were handled. I imagined how different cases were processed back then with the primitive technology they had. Trevor mentions his desire to learn forensics from the French and tried out a few of their techniques on his own. His experiments always didn't turn out so well though! I was rooting for him to get his big break in the case.
I was fascinated reading the scenes with Jack the Ripper. I've always been interested in true crime books and this case has always intrigued me. Some of the scenes were pretty brutal and I cringed knowing that they are based on fact and real women actually endured his brutality. I was hoping they would catch the guy and put him to justice, but we all know that they never caught the Ripper and City of Darkness stays true to that. Although, I did find out which character was the Ripper in this book and I didn't see it coming. That's all I'm going to say though because I don't want to ruin the suspense!
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, City of Light which takes place in Paris during the World's Fair!
Your Spacious Self: Clear Your Clutter and Discover Who You Are by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
3.0
I like self-help books and I have to say that I enjoyed this book. It was easy and fast to read and the concepts were explained in plain English. I like when things are kept simple so I can understand it better and not sit there and go "huh?". I actually had many "a-ha" moments when reading this book and thought it all really did make a lot of sense. I have a better understanding of myself and why I tend to hold onto things that I no longer even need or want. I see now how clutter can really hold you back and I like how this book explains how to change it.
I did a few of the exercises in the book and definitely felt a change after doing some of them. When I clean out a closet or drawer and finally throw stuff out, I really felt lighter and a positive energy shift. It's such a nice feeling to have and I felt motivated to keep working at my place, one room at a time. I'm still working on it, but I know its not something that can be done overnight.
This book is for everyone whether you are a pack rat or neat as pin. The author explains both physical and emotional clutter and how to rid yourself of both. I recommend you read it and see for yourself the positive changes you can make in your own home and yourself.
I did a few of the exercises in the book and definitely felt a change after doing some of them. When I clean out a closet or drawer and finally throw stuff out, I really felt lighter and a positive energy shift. It's such a nice feeling to have and I felt motivated to keep working at my place, one room at a time. I'm still working on it, but I know its not something that can be done overnight.
This book is for everyone whether you are a pack rat or neat as pin. The author explains both physical and emotional clutter and how to rid yourself of both. I recommend you read it and see for yourself the positive changes you can make in your own home and yourself.
0 to 60 by Susan Slater
4.0
I am a big fan of chick lit and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a very fast read for me. I finished the 299 page book in a matter of 2 days. It captivated me from the start and held my interest throughout. This is definitely one of those books that is hard to put down!
Although I am not that close to 60 years old just yet (I am 31), I found myself connecting with the main character Shelly. I am going through a divorce right now so many of the feelings she is having I could relate to. I felt her anger and her pain for the situation she is placed in. I loved her strength, perseverance and positive attitude and these traits in particular made her endearing to me. She is someone that I would look up to.
The plot is fast paced and the author places many twists throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading about Shelly's numerous experiences in the dating world especially when she gets into online dating. It was funny to see the types of guys that she encountered online because it is oh so true in real life too! There are plenty of duds out there for every good match.
Thoroughly entertaining and heartfelt, this is an excellent book for all women to pick up for some interesting summer reading.
Although I am not that close to 60 years old just yet (I am 31), I found myself connecting with the main character Shelly. I am going through a divorce right now so many of the feelings she is having I could relate to. I felt her anger and her pain for the situation she is placed in. I loved her strength, perseverance and positive attitude and these traits in particular made her endearing to me. She is someone that I would look up to.
The plot is fast paced and the author places many twists throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading about Shelly's numerous experiences in the dating world especially when she gets into online dating. It was funny to see the types of guys that she encountered online because it is oh so true in real life too! There are plenty of duds out there for every good match.
Thoroughly entertaining and heartfelt, this is an excellent book for all women to pick up for some interesting summer reading.
The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain
5.0
Diane Chamberlain has quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her writing style reminds of Jodi Picoult with the way she uses multiple narrators. In fact, I’d even say that I prefer Diane Chamberlain of Jodi Picoult. That’s saying something about how much I love Ms. Chamberlain’s books because Jodi Picoult has always been one of my favourite authors.
I read The Good Father at lightning speed even though it was 347 pages long. It’s one of those books that you cannot put down and I even found myself thinking about it during the day wondering what was going to happen to the characters. Now that I’ve finished reading it, it’s still with me and it’s one I would read again a second time.
The story follows Travis, a young single dad, and his little girl, Bella. I really felt for Travis. He had such a hard life with his dad dying when he was young, growing up poor and then raising a daughter on his own. Then his mother died in a house fire and he was in dire straits….quite literally. I could feel his worry about not having enough for him and his daughter to eat and not having a place to live. The stress of not having a job and living in a terrible economy really took its toll on Travis and I thought Diane Chamberlain was exceptional at conveying this.
Some of Travis’s choices I certainly did not agree with, but I understood where he was coming from. Perhaps if it was me in the same situation, I might have done the same thing. He was doing what he had to in order to survive. I found many of the situations he found himself in immensely stressful. Even reading it, I was holding my breath and wondering what was going to happen. It just goes to show you that good people can find themselves in bad situations.
The other main character, Erin, lost her daughter in a terrible accident and has never recovered. She’s an empty shell of what she once was and is consumed physically, mentally and emotionally by the pain of her loss. It’s her entire life. I enjoyed seeing Erin’s interactions with Bella and watching her healing unfold throughout the pages of the book. Her loss was so raw and painful and my heart really went out to her. I could not even imagine what she went through.
The other person we meet in the book is Robin, Bella’s biological mother and Travis’s ex-girlfriend. We learn the reasons why she gave up Bella and how she came to realize that she missed the daughter she never got to meet.
All three characters eventually become intertwined as the story unfolds. This is a book that is about the characters, but it also has a fast moving plot too. If you are looking for a summer read, pick up this book. You won’t be able to put it down once you start!
I read The Good Father at lightning speed even though it was 347 pages long. It’s one of those books that you cannot put down and I even found myself thinking about it during the day wondering what was going to happen to the characters. Now that I’ve finished reading it, it’s still with me and it’s one I would read again a second time.
The story follows Travis, a young single dad, and his little girl, Bella. I really felt for Travis. He had such a hard life with his dad dying when he was young, growing up poor and then raising a daughter on his own. Then his mother died in a house fire and he was in dire straits….quite literally. I could feel his worry about not having enough for him and his daughter to eat and not having a place to live. The stress of not having a job and living in a terrible economy really took its toll on Travis and I thought Diane Chamberlain was exceptional at conveying this.
Some of Travis’s choices I certainly did not agree with, but I understood where he was coming from. Perhaps if it was me in the same situation, I might have done the same thing. He was doing what he had to in order to survive. I found many of the situations he found himself in immensely stressful. Even reading it, I was holding my breath and wondering what was going to happen. It just goes to show you that good people can find themselves in bad situations.
The other main character, Erin, lost her daughter in a terrible accident and has never recovered. She’s an empty shell of what she once was and is consumed physically, mentally and emotionally by the pain of her loss. It’s her entire life. I enjoyed seeing Erin’s interactions with Bella and watching her healing unfold throughout the pages of the book. Her loss was so raw and painful and my heart really went out to her. I could not even imagine what she went through.
The other person we meet in the book is Robin, Bella’s biological mother and Travis’s ex-girlfriend. We learn the reasons why she gave up Bella and how she came to realize that she missed the daughter she never got to meet.
All three characters eventually become intertwined as the story unfolds. This is a book that is about the characters, but it also has a fast moving plot too. If you are looking for a summer read, pick up this book. You won’t be able to put it down once you start!
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
2.0
I haven’t yet read the Vampire Academy series although they are on my TBR list. I knew Bloodlines was a spin off of the series, but I figured I would be ok since it was the first book of the series. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I was lost from the beginning.
The book starts out with Sydney trying to protect her sister from having to jump into the world of Alchemy and protect a vampire from the Royal family. The alchemists were referring back to something Sydney had done in the past with a vampire named Rose that they weren’t pleased with. Since I hadn’t read the book, I had no clue what they were talking about and I wish the back story had been explained. It never really was throughout the entire book.
The story continued on with Sydney going uncover at a private school to protect the teenage vampire, Jill from harm. Both posed as sisters as well as a “brother”, Eddie, who was a dhampir (half human, half vampire). I was fine for the scenes at the school because these characters were introduced so I understood who they all were. I enjoyed the scenes with the school mean girl, Laurel, especially when Sydney took her revenge on her for her treatment of Jill!
The parts I was foggy on were when Sydney goes to meet up with the local vampires, Adrian and Clarence. I knew there was back story because they were referring to the past but not really explaining anything. The chemistry between Adrian and Sydney really didn’t mean much to me because I didn’t know their background or anything really about Adrian. I’m sure I would have liked that aspect of the story much more had I read the Vampire Academy books.
The book seemed to pick up the pace towards the end and it was action packed for the last 100 pages. Up until that point though it was a slow read for me.
Having read Bloodlines though, I am intrigued enough to read the Vampire Academy series. I’d like to experience everything from the beginning and then maybe give Bloodlines another try once I know the background. With that said, I recommend you have read the Vampire Academy first before you pick up a copy of Bloodlines.
The book starts out with Sydney trying to protect her sister from having to jump into the world of Alchemy and protect a vampire from the Royal family. The alchemists were referring back to something Sydney had done in the past with a vampire named Rose that they weren’t pleased with. Since I hadn’t read the book, I had no clue what they were talking about and I wish the back story had been explained. It never really was throughout the entire book.
The story continued on with Sydney going uncover at a private school to protect the teenage vampire, Jill from harm. Both posed as sisters as well as a “brother”, Eddie, who was a dhampir (half human, half vampire). I was fine for the scenes at the school because these characters were introduced so I understood who they all were. I enjoyed the scenes with the school mean girl, Laurel, especially when Sydney took her revenge on her for her treatment of Jill!
The parts I was foggy on were when Sydney goes to meet up with the local vampires, Adrian and Clarence. I knew there was back story because they were referring to the past but not really explaining anything. The chemistry between Adrian and Sydney really didn’t mean much to me because I didn’t know their background or anything really about Adrian. I’m sure I would have liked that aspect of the story much more had I read the Vampire Academy books.
The book seemed to pick up the pace towards the end and it was action packed for the last 100 pages. Up until that point though it was a slow read for me.
Having read Bloodlines though, I am intrigued enough to read the Vampire Academy series. I’d like to experience everything from the beginning and then maybe give Bloodlines another try once I know the background. With that said, I recommend you have read the Vampire Academy first before you pick up a copy of Bloodlines.