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I love David McCallum from his role on NCIS, but I did not enjoy this book at all. The story follows a struggling young actor who inadvertently gets mixed up in the affairs of a crime family trying to dismantle their illegitimate operations. While a fairly creative story, it was convoluted and at times hard to follow. The perspectives switched at odd times, and there were several lengthy tangents that did not significantly enhance the plot. The best part of the experience was listening to the author's familiar voice and all the different accents he used for the various characters (I listened to the audiobook version).
Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was a little apprehensive about reading this modern version. I quickly realized that I need not have worried, because I loved every minute of this book! I read it in about 2 sittings because I couldn't wait to see how each piece of the original story would be re-imagined. If you think knowing the story means you can predict this book, guess again! I was taken by surprise more than once by unexpected plot twists that still somehow preserved the essence of the original work. A quick, delightful read for Austen fans and laypeople alike!
Not your typical alien/robot story! Told entirely through a compilation of documents - interviews, journal entries, mission logs, etc. - the reader feels almost like a detective piecing together the events surrounding the discovery of stunningly advanced alien technology on Earth. While the format is refreshing and enjoyable, the large time gaps between some of the documents somewhat diminish the scope of the story. There are several strong female characters, and the storyline is engaging. A worthwhile read - I look forward to future installments!
Vasilisa Petrovna is not your typical Russian girl. To the consternation and exasperation of her loving family, she is constantly running off into the woods and speaking of fairy-tale creatures as though they are real. It is all relatively harmless until her father goes to Moscow and brings a new wife back to the harsh wilderness of the north country. Vasya's new stepmother is extremely devout, and forbids the family from acknowledging the traditional household spirits. Things get even worse when a charismatic new priest arrives from the city preaching fire and brimstone for the unfaithful. As life in the unforgiving terrain deteriorates, Vasya must do her best to protect her family and village in the face of increasing hostility and suspicion over her unique abilities. Part fairy tale, part coming of age story, the Bear and the Nightingale features enchanting descriptions and well-developed characters trying to find a balance between old and new traditions.
A beautifully crafted story about love, loss, identity, and the circle of life, The Star-Touched Queen features a strong female lead and enchanting descriptions of various worlds. At once a romance, a mystery, and a coming-of-age story, there is something for everyone in this book. It is also a delightful immersion into Indian mythology, which is underrepresented in the YA genre. A very enjoyable read!
I love the Sherlock Holmes stories, and this is a fun modern take on the Holmes and Watson duo. In this universe, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were real people, and Arthur Conan Doyle was the literary agent who helped Watson publish his stories. Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson are their descendants, and they both end up at a small boarding school in Connecticut, where Sherlockian mystery ensues. The story focuses a bit more on teen angst and drama than the actual solving of the mystery, but other than that it is an enjoyable read.
Age of Swords continues the action of the first book in the series, Age of Myth. Persephone, now the chief of her clan, must lead her people to safety after their village is destroyed by the Fhrey. Realizing that the Fhrey will no longer leave her people in peace, she must try to unite all the clans if they will have any chance of surviving the impending war.
The girl power in this book is great. I can't say much more about that without revealing spoilers, but the women in this story kick butt and it is terrific. Michael J. Sullivan has further developed characters that were more peripheral in the first book, which enhances the depth of the narrative and the overall world-building. The engaging action draws the reader through the story and leaves you ready for the next installment! Fantasy fans will enjoy this series, especially if they start at the beginning.
I really enjoyed this book when I read it 5 years ago, because the relationship between the two main characters was so sweet. However, I recently learned that there is a lot of racism throughout the book, particularly in terms of Park's character. I failed to adequately see it when I read it, and need to do better about that. I wanted to acknowledge it now that I have learned about it, and recommend that anyone reading this book look at this thread for an overview of the racist issues: https://twitter.com/naomigiddings/status/1128704083106377729?s=21
This book was enjoyable, but did not quite live up to the expectations generated by it's description. It promised strong female characters, but the two main female characters spent quite a lot of time doubting themselves and mooning over lost loves. The strongest women were the evil ones. That said, the mystery part of the story was decent, and I am willing to read the next installment before giving up on the series.
This fun page-turner delves into the morally murky world of vigilantes and law enforcement. I enjoyed the more realistic look at forensic science in contrast to the dramatized and belief-stretching portrayal in TV shows. The author is an actual forensic scientist so the science in the books rings true. While the book was at times a little slow and predictable, I was never bored and raced through to the end. I would definitely recommend it for fans of crime fiction, and I look forward to the next installment in the series!
I always enjoy stories set in the ancient world. While The Spartan Dagger wasn't a bad book, it wasn't particularly fabulous either. It follows a slave, Protos, whose parents are killed by Spartans. From that moment forward Protos makes it his life's mission to destroy Sparta. Years of war go by, and among them is the back-and-forth between Protos and the Spartan boy who killed his father. The Spartan Dagger is a relatively engaging read good for fans of historical fiction set in ancient times.
To be honest, I did not finish this book. The writing is not bad, but the book just failed to grab me. At no point did I find it difficult to stop, or find myself wondering what would happen next. I was impressed by the author's talent in replicating the older language of Henry James' day, and enjoyed the relative strength and independence of the main character, Frieda. I may try one of this author's other books.
Virginia Troy is an art gallery owner who as a child was rescued from a cult with several other children. Virginia's mother and most of the other adults were killed in the fire set by the cult's leader, Quinton Zane. In present day Virginia receives a cryptic warning from one of the surviving adults that suggests Zane survived and has returned. Virginia employs private investigator Cabot Sutter, one of the other cult kids, to help get to the bottom of it. Sparks begin to fly as the two are pulled into a whirlwind of murder and deception.
As with the first book in this series, When All the Girls Have Gone, Promise Not to Tell is a pretty straightforward mystery-romance. It's a fun page-turner with likable characters and a sweet love story, great for beach reading.
3.5 stars A House of Ghosts is a paranormal mystery set during the turmoil of World War I. Lord Highmount lost both his sons in battle, and has invited a group of acquaintances to his remote island estate for a seance. Kate Cartwright, works as a codebreaker for the British military, and also happens to have the ability to see ghosts. She is sent to the island by her boss, along with her ex-fiance and a mysterious man called Donovan. Events at the estate quickly turn deadly, and with a storm preventing anyone from leaving it is up to Kate and Donovan to solve the mystery before it's too late.
Despite occasionally stilted writing and a romantic angle that felt a bit forced, this book was an entertaining read. The multi-perspective format with short chapters keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next, and there are a few twists to keep you guessing. A fun, quick read for anyone in a bit of a spooky mood!
Half the Sugar, All the Love is a thoughtfully constructed cookbook with recipes designed to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet without sacrificing taste or having to cut out your favorite foods. It begins with a great overview of the health risks related to consuming too much sugar, and the many foods that contain added sugar without us realizing it. There are then recipes for all types of meals, snacks, sides, condiments, and even beverages that have half (or less) of the added sugar that their store-bought counterparts do. There are tips for how to involve kids in the cooking, and some shortcuts for when you are pressed for time. While I could not try many of the recipes myself due to some formatting issues with the advance e-book copy I received, I will certainly be checking out this cookbook when I get my hands on a copy of the published version!