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thepeachmartini's reviews
395 reviews
Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina
3.0
I've had this on my "to read" list for a while now, but never bothered to pick it up…quite honestly because I thought the cover looked cheesy. I know, I know…how's that for shallow and judgmental?! I managed to snag it as a free download on Amazon, which made me happy. I don't know if this review contains spoilers, so consider yourself warned.
Right - on to the review. I feel like someone took "The Sound of Music" or "Mary Poppins" and mingled it with "Pride and Prejudice" and then glued gears and cogs all over it. I read this in two days (it helped our county was under an emergency-only travel advisory because of the weather and I couldn't go anywhere); it wasn't a bad read at all. It wasn't a great read. It held my attention, but I found myself getting irritated with all the babysitting and whatnot and just wanted Clare to get on with things.
I found it a bit hypocritical that Clare was so concerned with the ruffians she took under her wing doing the right thing by not stealing, etc…yet she clearly had no qualms about assuming the role of guardian and leader of the group, and imposing on them to shelter/feed her, etc. She used chemicals to get into their home…and was OK with them using the same chemicals on other people…but I guess we all have to draw the line somewhere.
I feel like the gang was too accepting of her…and she was too desperate - at the beginning of the book, she comes across as someone headstrong and sure of herself, but once she realizes she's on her own, she's a hot mess of neediness. I feel like taking on this gang wasn't really necessary to advance her in the story, but maybe it will come together with the rest of the series…I feel like it creates too much baggage for her, when she's so worried about going to university and making her own way. Like I said, maybe it is setting us up for something later down the road.
Will I read more in the series? Probably, just because I can't leave it well enough alone. Would I recommend it to anyone? Meh, maybe…though it's not at the top of my list.
What I liked:
Independent/Educated/Self-Assured Clare
steampunk aspects
The gentleman offering her as assistant's position in his lab…I am more intrigued by this story line than that of the gang she's trying to rescue.
What I didn't care for:
Needy Clare
Assaulting folks with noxious chemicals…just doesn't seem right.
The back-and-forth of righteousness and self-interest; does she really need to carry that ridiculous rifle around with her when she's trying to get the gang to clean up their act?
3 out of 5 stars
Spoiler
Right - on to the review. I feel like someone took "The Sound of Music" or "Mary Poppins" and mingled it with "Pride and Prejudice" and then glued gears and cogs all over it. I read this in two days (it helped our county was under an emergency-only travel advisory because of the weather and I couldn't go anywhere); it wasn't a bad read at all. It wasn't a great read. It held my attention, but I found myself getting irritated with all the babysitting and whatnot and just wanted Clare to get on with things.
I found it a bit hypocritical that Clare was so concerned with the ruffians she took under her wing doing the right thing by not stealing, etc…yet she clearly had no qualms about assuming the role of guardian and leader of the group, and imposing on them to shelter/feed her, etc. She used chemicals to get into their home…and was OK with them using the same chemicals on other people…but I guess we all have to draw the line somewhere.
I feel like the gang was too accepting of her…and she was too desperate - at the beginning of the book, she comes across as someone headstrong and sure of herself, but once she realizes she's on her own, she's a hot mess of neediness. I feel like taking on this gang wasn't really necessary to advance her in the story, but maybe it will come together with the rest of the series…I feel like it creates too much baggage for her, when she's so worried about going to university and making her own way. Like I said, maybe it is setting us up for something later down the road.
Will I read more in the series? Probably, just because I can't leave it well enough alone. Would I recommend it to anyone? Meh, maybe…though it's not at the top of my list.
What I liked:
Independent/Educated/Self-Assured Clare
steampunk aspects
The gentleman offering her as assistant's position in his lab…I am more intrigued by this story line than that of the gang she's trying to rescue.
What I didn't care for:
Needy Clare
Assaulting folks with noxious chemicals…just doesn't seem right.
The back-and-forth of righteousness and self-interest; does she really need to carry that ridiculous rifle around with her when she's trying to get the gang to clean up their act?
3 out of 5 stars
Forged in Blood II by Lindsay Buroker
5.0
The grand finale....the fat lady sang...it's over...fin.
I LOVE THIS!
I am still mulling over the events of this book so I can't get everything down I want to right now...I'll have to come back and write a more thorough review when I've recuperated :)
I LOVE THIS!
I am still mulling over the events of this book so I can't get everything down I want to right now...I'll have to come back and write a more thorough review when I've recuperated :)
The Boy from Reactor 4 by Orest Stelmach
3.0
Initially I purchased this because a portion of the proceeds went towards the Chernobyl Children's Project International organization. After reading the synopsis, I wasn’t sure what to expect – hockey, Ukrainian and Russian mafia members, Chernobyl references – how on Earth can you fit all that into one plot?!
The chapters in this book are VERY short – like two pages and then you’re on to the next chapter; this makes it very tricky to keep up with the different vantage points in the book – you’re never quite sure who the narrator is.
Back to the story line – some parts are easy to predict what happens, and the prologue of the book already gives away the ending, which is a little disappointing. I really enjoyed, though, how the author explained a lot of the cultural references, or the historical significance of many of the locations or events. If anything, perhaps it will give readers a renewed interest in the Chernobyl accident and the aftermath which still plagues the country today. There is an interesting depiction of Ukrainian culture - corruption and greed, which seems to plague the government even today.
The characters of “the good guys” (Nadia, Adam, Damian, and the array of folks who help them along the way) are likeable enough, but you still question their motives. No one helps for the sake of helping or out of care – there are always ulterior motives and hidden agendas. Of course, those characters portraying the Ukrainian and Russian mafia are not to be liked – they are ruthless, cold-blooded, and money-hungry. There is definitely some foul language to deal with – so be warned of that. There are some violent scenes as well, though nothing that would traumatize you after reading them.
Overall, it was a decent read…Would I pick it up again? I’m not sure. Would I recommend it to others? Maybe, depending on their interests.
The chapters in this book are VERY short – like two pages and then you’re on to the next chapter; this makes it very tricky to keep up with the different vantage points in the book – you’re never quite sure who the narrator is.
Back to the story line – some parts are easy to predict what happens, and the prologue of the book already gives away the ending, which is a little disappointing. I really enjoyed, though, how the author explained a lot of the cultural references, or the historical significance of many of the locations or events. If anything, perhaps it will give readers a renewed interest in the Chernobyl accident and the aftermath which still plagues the country today. There is an interesting depiction of Ukrainian culture - corruption and greed, which seems to plague the government even today.
The characters of “the good guys” (Nadia, Adam, Damian, and the array of folks who help them along the way) are likeable enough, but you still question their motives. No one helps for the sake of helping or out of care – there are always ulterior motives and hidden agendas. Of course, those characters portraying the Ukrainian and Russian mafia are not to be liked – they are ruthless, cold-blooded, and money-hungry. There is definitely some foul language to deal with – so be warned of that. There are some violent scenes as well, though nothing that would traumatize you after reading them.
Overall, it was a decent read…Would I pick it up again? I’m not sure. Would I recommend it to others? Maybe, depending on their interests.
Jack and Yani Love Harry Potter by Mary E. Twomey
5.0
delightfully sweet!
Read it in a day, which doesn't happen often! Characters are great, story is fun, and the romance is PERFECT! Perfect read for Valentines Day weekend.
Full Review here - http://www.thepeachmartini.com/?p=674
Read it in a day, which doesn't happen often! Characters are great, story is fun, and the romance is PERFECT! Perfect read for Valentines Day weekend.
Full Review here - http://www.thepeachmartini.com/?p=674
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
3.0
I saw this as a freebie for the Kindle while back so I decided to give it a go. I was really trying to get used to reading on my iPad and figured a free read would be a good way to do so.
I didn't have expectations going into this, let me make that bit clear. The subject matter appealed to me - Steampunk, strong female lead, Victorian England. I knew it was a short story, designed to introduce me to the main character in the forthcoming “The Girl in The Steel Corset (The Steampunk Chronicles)” and enjoyed getting to know a bit about Miss Finley Jayne.
Reading this short story, though, felt a bit rushed. It felt like this experience I have when trying to write on my own: I have a good idea for a story line, I get it on paper, and about half way into it, I just can’t figure out where I want it to go. So I end it in a way that satisfies the storyline, but sometimes feels a bit contrived.
In the end, it did leave me wanting to know more about Finley, and her mysterious condition which seemed both a blessing and a curse.
I didn't have expectations going into this, let me make that bit clear. The subject matter appealed to me - Steampunk, strong female lead, Victorian England. I knew it was a short story, designed to introduce me to the main character in the forthcoming “The Girl in The Steel Corset (The Steampunk Chronicles)” and enjoyed getting to know a bit about Miss Finley Jayne.
Reading this short story, though, felt a bit rushed. It felt like this experience I have when trying to write on my own: I have a good idea for a story line, I get it on paper, and about half way into it, I just can’t figure out where I want it to go. So I end it in a way that satisfies the storyline, but sometimes feels a bit contrived.
In the end, it did leave me wanting to know more about Finley, and her mysterious condition which seemed both a blessing and a curse.
Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 by Gail Carriger
3.0
Honestly, I didn't truly 'read' this, but I thumbed through it at the bookstore...and I've read the full novel version.
The manga is visually pleasing, as it should be...the characters were depicted well from what image I've had in my head, only in manga form (duh). As I'm not well-versed in the world of manga, I imagine it isn't intended for young eyes (Alexia's rack is QUITE impressive, and Lord Maccon is very nicely anatomically depicted, all the special bits are strategically hidden though!) It's enjoyable, and I'll probably add this to the collection with the rest of my Gail Carriger books.
The manga is visually pleasing, as it should be...the characters were depicted well from what image I've had in my head, only in manga form (duh). As I'm not well-versed in the world of manga, I imagine it isn't intended for young eyes (Alexia's rack is QUITE impressive, and Lord Maccon is very nicely anatomically depicted, all the special bits are strategically hidden though!) It's enjoyable, and I'll probably add this to the collection with the rest of my Gail Carriger books.