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185 reviews
The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud
5.0
Lockwood & Co, The Whispering Skull. By Jonathan Stroud
Lucy, George, & Lockwood are at it again. Chasing things that go bump in the night because adults are too old to see the mysteries that cause the bumps. The world that is built astounds and terrifies. The Whispering Skull is book two in this series and just as enjoyable as the first.
The detective agency ‘Lockwood and Company’ is one run by children with no adult supervision. These detectives, however, are hunting the paranormal and uncovering crimes committed and buried away.
Once you pick it up, the novel is hard to put down—unless you’re looking over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t a Lurker watching you. The Whispering Skull has you guessing every time Lucy hears its whispers. With George and Lockwood, as well as some exciting new characters, Lucy finds a way to hone her skills. These characters will keep you reading deep into the night, with a small light on, of course.
I always mention grammar in my reviews; however, there is no need because Mr. Stroud is a wizard with words.
Lucy, George, & Lockwood are at it again. Chasing things that go bump in the night because adults are too old to see the mysteries that cause the bumps. The world that is built astounds and terrifies. The Whispering Skull is book two in this series and just as enjoyable as the first.
The detective agency ‘Lockwood and Company’ is one run by children with no adult supervision. These detectives, however, are hunting the paranormal and uncovering crimes committed and buried away.
Once you pick it up, the novel is hard to put down—unless you’re looking over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t a Lurker watching you. The Whispering Skull has you guessing every time Lucy hears its whispers. With George and Lockwood, as well as some exciting new characters, Lucy finds a way to hone her skills. These characters will keep you reading deep into the night, with a small light on, of course.
I always mention grammar in my reviews; however, there is no need because Mr. Stroud is a wizard with words.
Drowning with Others by Linda Keir
5.0
Drowning With Others By Linda Keir
This novel is compelling, to say the least. The story pulls you in with one of the best prologues I’ve read in a while. From there, you’re thrown into the account of the Copeland family, and you are led through the story by mother—Andi, father—Ian, and daughter—Cassidy. The novel covers their individual times at Glenlake Academy—a well to do private school.
I—as a reader—always dislike it when stories are told through different perspectives because, honestly, few authors can pull it off successfully. This team of writers, however, were able to do this so well, that it has made me rethink my stance on different perspectives. Each switch was flawless. You knew exactly what was happening and where the changes were. You had no problem going between the views and each was as captivating as the next.
The mystery of the car found at the bottom of Lake Loomis has you turning the pages as fast as you can keep up. While you’re reading, you’re also trying to figure out the mystery and don’t tell anyone your thoughts because you’re probably going to be wrong!
I always mention grammar in my reviews. Having already touched on perspectives, I can say that there was literally only one error in this entire novel. I’m sure I only found it because my brain is always in the ‘editing’ mode. I doubt anyone else will see it. The writing was fantastic!
I found this novel to be well written, gripping, fast-paced, just an all-around great read. I will be picking up more from these two wonderful authors who write together as a team under Linda Keir.
This novel is compelling, to say the least. The story pulls you in with one of the best prologues I’ve read in a while. From there, you’re thrown into the account of the Copeland family, and you are led through the story by mother—Andi, father—Ian, and daughter—Cassidy. The novel covers their individual times at Glenlake Academy—a well to do private school.
I—as a reader—always dislike it when stories are told through different perspectives because, honestly, few authors can pull it off successfully. This team of writers, however, were able to do this so well, that it has made me rethink my stance on different perspectives. Each switch was flawless. You knew exactly what was happening and where the changes were. You had no problem going between the views and each was as captivating as the next.
The mystery of the car found at the bottom of Lake Loomis has you turning the pages as fast as you can keep up. While you’re reading, you’re also trying to figure out the mystery and don’t tell anyone your thoughts because you’re probably going to be wrong!
I always mention grammar in my reviews. Having already touched on perspectives, I can say that there was literally only one error in this entire novel. I’m sure I only found it because my brain is always in the ‘editing’ mode. I doubt anyone else will see it. The writing was fantastic!
I found this novel to be well written, gripping, fast-paced, just an all-around great read. I will be picking up more from these two wonderful authors who write together as a team under Linda Keir.
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
5.0
I personally love everything Stephanie Meyer does. This story keeps you on your toes and rooting for the good guys, that use to be bad guys.
This was a wonderfully done thriller. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
This was a wonderfully done thriller. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud
5.0
When you’re reading a series of books, you usually know at the onset, that you’re in for a thrill. Books one and two of the Lockwood & Co. series would rightfully make me believe that book three would be good. What I didn’t expect is that it would so entirely exceed my expectations that it would top my list for favorite books.
The way these words are weaved together to create such an amazing story leaves me mesmerized!
The chill that runs down your spine as you’re reading about these ghost has you literally looking over your shoulder!
Bravo Mr. Stroud! Bravo!
The way these words are weaved together to create such an amazing story leaves me mesmerized!
The chill that runs down your spine as you’re reading about these ghost has you literally looking over your shoulder!
Bravo Mr. Stroud! Bravo!
The Lost Power by Avanti Centrae
3.0
I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of VanOps The Lost Power by Avanti Centrae. I would like to say that the story is well written, and there were very few points where I had to go back and re-read something, and the grammar was also well done. I could see the link between the two comp titles, “The DaVinci Code” and “Tomb Raider,” but I also felt like VanOps was a story of its own and did not warrant the comparison to those particular titles.
As far as my personal tastes go, I honestly hate switching between perspectives, but I can understand why the writer had to make that choice for this book. The writer also did a good job of staying within a perspective once it was presented for the duration of a chapter. Though I did think there were far too many perspectives—again, personal preference.
Where the characters were concerned, sometimes I liked them, sometimes I hated them. There are some aspects of the characters that seemed forced at times. I did not especially like Will’s choices, and they seemed to not fit who he was as a husband, brother, son. Some of the decisions he made just didn’t make sense to the story at all. But that happened with the other characters a couple of times as well. So perhaps I missed some detail that I should have picked up on that would make those things make sense.
The story did have a lot of action in it. It moved forward at a good pace. I did like the time and date stamps at the beginning of each chapter, which gave it the feel of “Mission Impossible” for me.
I would say if you enjoy spy thrillers, you could enjoy this novel as well.
As far as my personal tastes go, I honestly hate switching between perspectives, but I can understand why the writer had to make that choice for this book. The writer also did a good job of staying within a perspective once it was presented for the duration of a chapter. Though I did think there were far too many perspectives—again, personal preference.
Where the characters were concerned, sometimes I liked them, sometimes I hated them. There are some aspects of the characters that seemed forced at times. I did not especially like Will’s choices, and they seemed to not fit who he was as a husband, brother, son. Some of the decisions he made just didn’t make sense to the story at all. But that happened with the other characters a couple of times as well. So perhaps I missed some detail that I should have picked up on that would make those things make sense.
The story did have a lot of action in it. It moved forward at a good pace. I did like the time and date stamps at the beginning of each chapter, which gave it the feel of “Mission Impossible” for me.
I would say if you enjoy spy thrillers, you could enjoy this novel as well.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
5.0
I’ve only recently been writing reviews for books, and though I’ve read many in 2020, I have not written reviews for each book that I’ve read. I won’t write one for Harry Potter as everyone already knows how wonderful it is. Five stars all the way. I will, however, say this…
At one point in my life, I read just to read, or because I was told that I had to. As I’ve gotten older and become more aware of what the written words mean, reading has become something I love most—besides writing. Having just sat and read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—for only the second time—I must say that the novel just hits different now. It causes me to narrate myself while I’m doing my daily tasks. All with an air of lightness that otherwise would not be present—without the narration. J.K. Rowling’s words just seem to bind to you that way.
To say that I love this novel is an understatement. As many others also love the Harry Potter novels, too. There are so many excellent writers, so many amazing stories, but it’s the ones that you keep going back to that really hold onto your heart. It’s the ones that you cannot put down that etch into your soul. It is a wonderous read that I look forward to rereading one day very soon.
At one point in my life, I read just to read, or because I was told that I had to. As I’ve gotten older and become more aware of what the written words mean, reading has become something I love most—besides writing. Having just sat and read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—for only the second time—I must say that the novel just hits different now. It causes me to narrate myself while I’m doing my daily tasks. All with an air of lightness that otherwise would not be present—without the narration. J.K. Rowling’s words just seem to bind to you that way.
To say that I love this novel is an understatement. As many others also love the Harry Potter novels, too. There are so many excellent writers, so many amazing stories, but it’s the ones that you keep going back to that really hold onto your heart. It’s the ones that you cannot put down that etch into your soul. It is a wonderous read that I look forward to rereading one day very soon.
Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction That Changed America by Les Standiford
5.0
The story of Adam Walsh has always been in the back of mind.
I was 2 1/2 when he was abducted. When I was 6, my parents had me sit down and watch the movie that was made about his disappearance in order to make me stay close by while we were out and about.
I didn’t know about this novel until I got an email from BookBub listing it. I bought it instantly. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.
Finally, knowing the in’s and out’s of the case was mind-blowing. My heart continues to go out to the Walsh family. One can only imagine how those feelings never leave. The things they accomplished for all the children in America, and who knows how far-reaching that really was, is just phenomenal.
The work of the detectives in the case and knowing how many things went wrong, and who killed Adam was not something I ever expected. I do so wish this family had gotten the justice they deserved.
The novel is well written and intriguing. I was just left speechless.
I was 2 1/2 when he was abducted. When I was 6, my parents had me sit down and watch the movie that was made about his disappearance in order to make me stay close by while we were out and about.
I didn’t know about this novel until I got an email from BookBub listing it. I bought it instantly. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.
Finally, knowing the in’s and out’s of the case was mind-blowing. My heart continues to go out to the Walsh family. One can only imagine how those feelings never leave. The things they accomplished for all the children in America, and who knows how far-reaching that really was, is just phenomenal.
The work of the detectives in the case and knowing how many things went wrong, and who killed Adam was not something I ever expected. I do so wish this family had gotten the justice they deserved.
The novel is well written and intriguing. I was just left speechless.