Liz

Never thought I would get into graphic novels but I'm sold. This book was so fun and I LOLed so many times. Just what I needed. The characters are fun and engaging and the parents are nice normal humans! It's a win/win. Highly recommend.

I read this for book club. I was not terribly excited to read it as I have never read any of his fiction but I was suprised. I still could not give it more than two stars. I found the back story the most interesting part. I skimmed or skipped a lot of the trip. It was an interesting story, feel good kinda story. I liked it just not my usual reading material, which I guess is what book club is all about reading things I would not normally pick up. Discussion tonight, we'll see if it makes me up the stars...

I had a hard time rating this book. The author writes well, I felt the prose was graceful and the pace worked. But I am tired, sick and tired as a matter of fact, of reading young adult fiction where the main character is a selfish, obnoxious girl. The concept of this story is intriguing. A town isolated after the Return surrounding by a forest and the Unconsecrated (which are zombie like flesh eating monsters that humans become if they are infected) is the setting for a young girl with an inquisitive mind wanting to know if the stories her mother told her about the ocean are true. I loved the Sisterhood, very interesting group, but the author fails to let the reader in on any secrets. They leave without discovering anything. I could live with the secrets of the Sisterhood if Mary was not such a selfish girl. She desperately wants Travis but when she gets him it is not enough. She discovers there is more than just her village but that is not enough. Nothing is ever enough for her and even in the end she does not seem satisfied. I am giving this two stars not because of the writing but because I did not like the characters or their development or more precisely the lack thereof.

I went into this book with very low expectations because I love the Christmas Carol and I worried about what would happen to it. Interestingly, this doesn't really focus on the Carol that much. I like the story and the twists and surprises. It was a feel-good read that I can recommend. If you are like me (or my reading buddy Amber) then there might be a place that you furrow your brow and think oh no, please don't go there. Don't worry! It doesn't. Enjoy the ride.

I liked this book but I always have a hard time with cross-generation books. I guess I am just not smart enough to keep track of everyone. I thought the story was interesting and I really liked the end.

2 1/2 stars: I picked out the guilty party way to early but kept reading hoping for a twist. It was still a pleasant read.

I guess I deserve it for picking up a book called how to write a damn good anything but I could not get past the continuous use of damn good in front of everything. Drove me nuts. I don't even know if there was good content beyond it. Moving onto the next how to book. This one gave me a damn good headache.

I liked this book. The basic plot line is facinating. I liked the characters but I wish I could have gotten to know them better. Especially Attia, where did she come from? How did she know to disguise herself? Just who was she? I look forward to finding more about her. I will read the second book. And really isn't that all the publisher wants?

Witty, different. I liked it.

This is an interesting story. I liked it. As a good friend of mine put it the romance sections are at least PG-13 so be expecting that. Also I wonder what the social commentary would be about Katsa's view on marriage. I don't feel like putting a spoiler in here so I won't but I just hope that she develops as the books continue. Overall I thought this was a very fun, intersting book.

Very helpful for a science fiction & fantasy writer. He explicitely states this is not for writing in general and points out the important elements for speculative fiction. A must read for any writer interesting in this genre.

Least favorite book of one of my favorite authors. It came across as preachy and uninteresting. Bummer.

There is something to be said about expectation. I just reviewed a book that is ‘considered' as good as Tolkien. I didn't think so. This book I did not expect much and to be honest there are holes you could drive mac truck through but I enjoyed it. I liked Deirdre, just enough teen angst to be real without becoming annoying. I like her best friend, James; I think he may have been my favorite character. And I liked Luke the hunky, yet dangerous, fellow that appears out of thin air to help her win a music competition (yes that is one of the holes, honestly who just randomly plays a duet with someone at a major music competition? Weird.) Anywho ... I still liked it. Ok I know I said I liked it but the other thing that bothered me about it was the VERY random foul language. Honestly it made no sense to me. And there is one point in the book that Deirdre forgets James that just made me super angry. But other than the huge plot holes, the random bad language and some serious clichés I liked it. Great beach book.

I actually give this 2 and 1/2 stars. I love a good British mystery and this is fun. I am all for eccentric characters but this had one, two, or five too many. Not EVERYONE is eccentric. To paraphrase Syndrome, “Everyone can be eccentric! And when everyone's eccentric, no one will be.” However, I liked the story and will most likely read the next novel. p.s. I figured out who murderer was about half way through but still enjoyed reading and finding out I was correct.

This is a delightful book. Cassandra is enchanting. I love how she develops her writing by journaling and we get an inside view into her personal thoughts, dreams, and frustrations. It was true to the period, which I have found lacking in a few books I have read lately. There were a few moments when I thought – just go get a job (especially as a single working mother). However, it was true to their class situation in the time-period. I felt it was a little slow in a few spots but over all I just loved it. I want to live in a dilapidated castle.

I've read other books by Heyer and really enjoyed them. As a mystery this book was terrible.

I would have given it two and a half if half stars were allowed. I just could not get into it. I felt like I forced myself to read the whole thing. In the end I liked it but just barely. I guess I liked elves but faeries aren't my thing.

I was very impressed with the premise of this book. It is a young adult book and there are a few things that fall together a little too neatly for me but overall I thought it was a great read. I didn't even want to put the book down for the last couple of chapters. It isn't a fantasy book and it really isn't sci-fi so I don't know why it was in that section perhaps the next book in the series unveils more.

I should really not read when I am in a bad mood. Sometimes reading takes me out of the bad mood and others it settles its bad self into the book and ruins it for me. That happened with two books this past weekend. First, this one, I liked the writing style it has a lilting, calm quality like a southern accent. I liked the main character but sometimes (and this may be just my bad mood talking) but it seemed she was very unphysic for a physic. Now for my bad mood shouting forth: Bill - the vampire Bill - why was he named Bill. I know, I know vampires must have normal names they were once normal people and a vampire Clive or Stewart has got to be out there but Bill? I don't know it just struk me and then slapped me every time I read it. I liked him. Vampire him and his name is Bill. Anyway, I am going to put this on my shelf and pull it out again when I am in a better mood because I think I may like it - hopefully.

I really liked this book. I look forward to reading the next book Fire Arrow. I would say more but don't want to spoil anything. Good fun fantasy read. Edith Pattou is now one of my favorite authors. East was great and this was even better.

I loved this book. Will write a full review later ...

Read with my son. He loved it, would give it 5 stars. I thought it was okay gave it three stars so the average is 4 stars. His favorite part was when they were in the bell tower. He wants to fly with a kite but he doesn't want to be the bad guy. Excited to read the next one.

This started off promising. I don't know if I was just not in the proper frame of mind but it became all too predictable. I liked it. I may even recommend it as a beach read but not much more than that...

I forgot I read this book and picked it up randomly at the library. Sometimes I do that and I read the book again and love it, nope this time I had the same feeling as I had the first time... not going to read anymore Tasha Alexander books. Unless of course randomly picking up books from the libary and the cover catches my attention. Those crafty covers!

This was a fun book. I love Greek mythology. This was a new twist that I could appreciate. The book was a bit on the ‘young' side of young-adult fiction. I still liked it and I am looking forward to reading installment #2.

I have enjoyed many of Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn books. I especially love it whenever Agatha Troy appears. However, many of the views in this novel, particularly in terms of race, are very outdated and make uncomfortable reading. The bright spot in the book was Mr. Whipplestone and his cat Lucy Locket. It wasn't a surprise as to whodunit, with such a small group of suspects. Overall, a rating of 3.5 seems fair.