Take a photo of a barcode or cover
vivalibrarian's reviews
519 reviews
Transcendental by James E. Gunn
2.0
Riley, an ex-soldier, has been coerced to join a group of beings embarking on a journey that promises transcendence for those willing to give up everything and move into the unknown. His real mission is to find and kill the prophet who is rumored to be the one that helps one find transcendence. As the journey turns violent and tales are told, it becomes clear that Riley is not the only one with a hidden agenda.
The themes in this book are grand-personal redemption, interesting characters with intricate backstories revealing their species rules and culture and the universal longing for more. There is definitely a noir feel as the story unfold as well. I admit that the promise was more than the read offered but Gunn is such a force in science fiction writing, I'll leave review here.
The themes in this book are grand-personal redemption, interesting characters with intricate backstories revealing their species rules and culture and the universal longing for more. There is definitely a noir feel as the story unfold as well. I admit that the promise was more than the read offered but Gunn is such a force in science fiction writing, I'll leave review here.
The Never List by Koethi Zan
2.0
Sarah and Jennifer are best friends who, after the death of Jennifer's mom, deal with their grief by obsessing about all the things that can go wrong in life. The Never List is born-lists and lists of all the things you should never do like not get into a car with strangers. One fated evening in college, the two brave a party, drink and get into a car with a stranger. They don't make it home, instead they are taken to the basement of a sadist who holds four women hostage while torturing them for years. Jennifer did not make it out alive-the rest of them are damaged beyond belief but now the sadist is up for parole.
Here's the thing. A good thriller grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until you're done reading. It allows the reader to suspend belief just enough to go with whatever happens as the author entertains you. I never got even close to that feeling. The main character, Sarah, has been through hell. Enough hell that she doesn't leave her apartment in New York City for anything. Everything and everyone comes to her-even her therapist. Who can blame her, right? So, it's really hard to buy into her flying across country to talk to strangers about the guy who ruined her life. If you could buy that, then her trip to Atlanta and back to Oregon and throwing herself into a variety of terrifying experiences with little reaction might not bother you either.
Great idea with not so great follow through. My psychology degree was throwing up red flags left and right. Non-engaging characters, moderate pacing when it should be blistering and and overall feel of meh.
Here's the thing. A good thriller grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until you're done reading. It allows the reader to suspend belief just enough to go with whatever happens as the author entertains you. I never got even close to that feeling. The main character, Sarah, has been through hell. Enough hell that she doesn't leave her apartment in New York City for anything. Everything and everyone comes to her-even her therapist. Who can blame her, right? So, it's really hard to buy into her flying across country to talk to strangers about the guy who ruined her life. If you could buy that, then her trip to Atlanta and back to Oregon and throwing herself into a variety of terrifying experiences with little reaction might not bother you either.
Great idea with not so great follow through. My psychology degree was throwing up red flags left and right. Non-engaging characters, moderate pacing when it should be blistering and and overall feel of meh.
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
3.0
"i was going to fight vampires, and my name wasn't Buffy-I was so screwed."
Unseen by Karin Slaughter
3.0
"It's always the strong ones that break the hardest."
It's been a while since I've read Karin Slaughter and while it took me a moment or two to remember who the characters were, this is definitely a story that can stand on its own. Kinda. Because I think what Slaughter does well-after the crazy things that happen usually involving a lot of violence at a break neck speed-it is the emotional trauma from the past that brings the characters vividly into focus. Forgiveness is a tough thing. My only complaint is that I really am done with Lena. Everyone else seems to find their path and she never does. Frustrating.
It's been a while since I've read Karin Slaughter and while it took me a moment or two to remember who the characters were, this is definitely a story that can stand on its own. Kinda. Because I think what Slaughter does well-after the crazy things that happen usually involving a lot of violence at a break neck speed-it is the emotional trauma from the past that brings the characters vividly into focus. Forgiveness is a tough thing. My only complaint is that I really am done with Lena. Everyone else seems to find their path and she never does. Frustrating.
Margot by Jillian Cantor
4.0
"When I see them together, that way they look when they hold on to each other, I remember again that something is missing from me, something that feels like the phantom weight of a stolen limb or internal organ, something so grossly essential that I'm not quite sure how I remember to keep breathing all the time without it."
In this alternative historical fiction, Margot Frank, Anne Frank's sister, survived the holocaust and escaped to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She goes by the name Margie, says she is a Christian and wears sweaters to cover her tattoo even during the hottest of days. As she walks past a bookstore one day, she is startled to see her sister's face peering back at her in the just published talk of the town. Purchasing a copy she learned that her father survived but she cannot bring herself to contact him, to bring back any part of Margot into her life.
This was heartbreaking on so many levels. Margie struggles to build a life for herself in America that denies all that she used to be while mourning a loss so significant not one of us can comprehend it. The novel also nudges us a little to consider Margot as more than just the quiet sister of Anne. She also wrote a diary, would it have read the same or would things be different through different eyes?
In this alternative historical fiction, Margot Frank, Anne Frank's sister, survived the holocaust and escaped to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She goes by the name Margie, says she is a Christian and wears sweaters to cover her tattoo even during the hottest of days. As she walks past a bookstore one day, she is startled to see her sister's face peering back at her in the just published talk of the town. Purchasing a copy she learned that her father survived but she cannot bring herself to contact him, to bring back any part of Margot into her life.
This was heartbreaking on so many levels. Margie struggles to build a life for herself in America that denies all that she used to be while mourning a loss so significant not one of us can comprehend it. The novel also nudges us a little to consider Margot as more than just the quiet sister of Anne. She also wrote a diary, would it have read the same or would things be different through different eyes?
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
4.0
"Research consistently shows that the risks to health outweigh the benefits of drinking alcohol. My argument is that the benefits to my mental health justify the risks."
Don Tillman is brilliant genetics professor who also has Aspergers. Socially awkward, orderly and approaching every problem with something resembling the scientific method, Don is fully aware that he is considered weird in normal society. Despite epic failures in the past, Don decides he needs a wife and embarks on "The Wife Project" which includes an 16-page (both sides), questionnaire to weed out unsuitable mates. When Rosie bursts into his well-ordered life needing help in finding her biological father, her wild, never on time, life is an adventure ways throw Don's life into chaos.
My one word review for this book is: adorkable. Having a friend that has Aspergers, I thought the author did a pretty good job of nailing Don's behavior. I've had some of the same conversations. Don is very self-aware and that pulls on the emotional heartstrings A LOT. This has romantic comedy written all over it and you can practically see the people playing each role. Rob Reiner as Gene, Carrie Fisher as Claudia and I think Hugh Jackman as Don. Jessica Tandy would have made the perfect Daphne. The scene where he carried the Daphne close to him...tears...big, ugly tears. I'd say Jennifer Lawrence for Rosie but she already nailed that role in Silver Linings. An easy to read, sweet and unconventional romance.
Don Tillman is brilliant genetics professor who also has Aspergers. Socially awkward, orderly and approaching every problem with something resembling the scientific method, Don is fully aware that he is considered weird in normal society. Despite epic failures in the past, Don decides he needs a wife and embarks on "The Wife Project" which includes an 16-page (both sides), questionnaire to weed out unsuitable mates. When Rosie bursts into his well-ordered life needing help in finding her biological father, her wild, never on time, life is an adventure ways throw Don's life into chaos.
My one word review for this book is: adorkable. Having a friend that has Aspergers, I thought the author did a pretty good job of nailing Don's behavior. I've had some of the same conversations. Don is very self-aware and that pulls on the emotional heartstrings A LOT. This has romantic comedy written all over it and you can practically see the people playing each role. Rob Reiner as Gene, Carrie Fisher as Claudia and I think Hugh Jackman as Don. Jessica Tandy would have made the perfect Daphne. The scene where he carried the Daphne close to him...tears...big, ugly tears. I'd say Jennifer Lawrence for Rosie but she already nailed that role in Silver Linings. An easy to read, sweet and unconventional romance.
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
3.0
What if your husband wrote you a letter that was only to be read after he is dead? What if you found that letter while he was still very much alive. Will you read it? If you do, will you be ready to face the consequences?
A lot of women’s fiction is very predictable for me and the alternating viewpoints from the different female characters wasn’t anything new until suddenly, it didn’t go where I expected. I enjoy Liane Moriarty’s writing and I think while she hits the cliches pretty hard, she knows her audience and spins a good story.
A lot of women’s fiction is very predictable for me and the alternating viewpoints from the different female characters wasn’t anything new until suddenly, it didn’t go where I expected. I enjoy Liane Moriarty’s writing and I think while she hits the cliches pretty hard, she knows her audience and spins a good story.
The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie
4.0
"Abby and the gels always find the most thrilling tales, and the only thing that's improved when we're finished is my mood."
When governess Abigail Chantry rescues her sister from an unspeakable kidnapping, she is rewarded with losing her job and acquiring two other wayward souls to look after. Determined to survive 1805 London they dub themselves the Chance Sisters and promise to never leave each other behind. Their bond is quickly tested and Abby finds herself breaking into an empty mansion in hopes of finding something to sell. Instead she finds Lady Beatrice, bedridden and neglected by her servants. Unable to stay away, Abby befriends Lady Beatrice and the sisters have found a bit of salvation-that is until Lady Beatrice's arrogant nephew Max returns from the Orient.
Cinderella romances are not unusual but this was just a charming read. There were tough issues brought up-human trafficking being the biggest one but they were only brushed upon. My favorite part was the literary society that didn't read books to "improve" you-they read books that were fun and drew in a huge audience. Lesson learned.
When governess Abigail Chantry rescues her sister from an unspeakable kidnapping, she is rewarded with losing her job and acquiring two other wayward souls to look after. Determined to survive 1805 London they dub themselves the Chance Sisters and promise to never leave each other behind. Their bond is quickly tested and Abby finds herself breaking into an empty mansion in hopes of finding something to sell. Instead she finds Lady Beatrice, bedridden and neglected by her servants. Unable to stay away, Abby befriends Lady Beatrice and the sisters have found a bit of salvation-that is until Lady Beatrice's arrogant nephew Max returns from the Orient.
Cinderella romances are not unusual but this was just a charming read. There were tough issues brought up-human trafficking being the biggest one but they were only brushed upon. My favorite part was the literary society that didn't read books to "improve" you-they read books that were fun and drew in a huge audience. Lesson learned.
Sometimes a Rogue by Mary Jo Putney
2.0
Sarah's very pregnant twin sister is the target of a political kidnapping by a radical group in Ireland. Thinking quickly, she pretends to be her sister and is taken to Ireland shortly before her sister goes into labor. As luck would have it, Rob Carmichael arrives for a visit just in time to rescue Sarah. Their journey back to England is harrowing and fraught with danger but what awaits them at home may be even more dangerous.
I didn't click with the characters until they were in place at Kellington. The whole kidnapping plot was over-the-top and while I could have gone with that, I was surprised at how quickly they fell into each other..in an omg, I want to have babies with you even tho I've just met you way-when the circumstances were supposed to be terrifying. That made the back and forth on how they each really felt about each other difficult thru the rest of the book. I didn't dislike it, it was just too tangled for me.
I didn't click with the characters until they were in place at Kellington. The whole kidnapping plot was over-the-top and while I could have gone with that, I was surprised at how quickly they fell into each other..in an omg, I want to have babies with you even tho I've just met you way-when the circumstances were supposed to be terrifying. That made the back and forth on how they each really felt about each other difficult thru the rest of the book. I didn't dislike it, it was just too tangled for me.