tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70766498585855422112024-03-14T09:02:49.172-07:00The Reader's Review - Chronicles of a Book EnthusiastReading every day is wonderful way to expand your mind. I wanted to provide less regurgitated synopsis and more review of elements I look for when choosing a new book. Happy reading!Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-32037137337728110752018-12-21T21:12:00.002-08:002018-12-21T21:13:56.263-08:00Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini TaylorQuotable: <i>"It was his sanctuary - a realm of stories, not just from the Unseen City, but the world."</i><br />
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Character Development: Fully realized characters, unique and realistic. I can't wait to see how they develop the Godlings' story and the history of Weep in the next book.<br />
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World Building: A vivid landscape from library to desert, the whole world is created in your mind right away. The kind of place you get lost in from the onset.<br />
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Writing Style: Taylor writes at the level of my favorite authors, with wisdom and insight into the human experience. I'm a fan from reading one book!<br />
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What I Enjoyed: Everything about this book was wonderful. It starts out a bit confusing when they introduce certain characters, but if you hang in there for a few chapters all will be revealed!<br />
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Deal Benders: The only thing I don't like is that the book ended at all!<br />
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Overall Rating: 5 stars - Such a gem of a giant book, I can't wait to read the next one.<br />
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For Fans Of: [bookcover:The Cemetery of Forgotten Series|40809736]Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-57061510946328283002018-12-01T15:44:00.003-08:002018-12-01T15:45:01.160-08:00When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya MenonQuotable: <i>"Rishi was a naturally good friend, she could tell. The kind of guy who thought your every fight was his as well."</i><br />
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Character Development: When I realized this was a story about arranged Indian marriages, I was not excited to finish it. I expected misogyny and anti-feminist ideas, but was pleasantly surprised to find Dimple Shah has a mind of her own! I was happy that Rishi went from a rigid planner who always obeys his parents to his own - still respectful - adult. Their relationship and romance is realistic and adorable, which I was not expecting.<br />
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Writing Style: Readers from any background can pick up this story and gain insight into another culture without feeling out of place. It takes talent for authors like Menon to accomplish this.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: I wanted to know how these two would end - reading large chunks of this book at a time. I'm glad someone in my book club added it to the list, because I otherwise might not have given it a chance.<br />
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Deal Benders: Many Indian words and phrases are used, and the meaning often gets lost in translation. The author does her best, but once in a while it draws away from the story when you have to lookup a word in another language and hope it was translated correctly.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars for a solid enjoyable young adult becoming story.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-22915932523116329932018-12-01T15:32:00.001-08:002018-12-01T15:35:54.805-08:00The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth BergQuotable: <i>"People who don't feel cared for are not always comfortable being cared for..."</i><br />
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Character Development: Arthur and Maddy are unlikely friends who change each other for the better. From their awkward meeting in a cemetary throughout the time they spend together, it's clear they become each other's catalyst for hope and second chances. Others support their story, yet remain on the outside of this special bond.<br />
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Creating a character like Arthur makes me wish men like him really existed. The way he loved Nola is beyond swoon-worthy. I'll just be over here daydreaming of meeting the kind of soul that goes out of his way to be kind to others. <3<br />
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Writing Style: I now have a new favorite font called Electra, thanks! I flew through reading this book, and cried at the end. Easy language with complex life themes.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: Nuggets of wisdom and life observation sprinkled among the chapters made for a poignant read.<br />
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Deal Benders: Quite a few instances of repeated phrases became distracting, and it was never explained why they were important enough to repeat. Like someone decides to do something, so they do it, because they decided to do it? Circular reasoning.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars - I really liked Arthur and Maddy's story. A heartwarming read.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-86061007121281353402018-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:002018-11-21T07:25:06.595-08:00Tell the Machine Goodnight by Katie WilliamsQuotable: <i>"On the train, I watch strangers' eyes, studying the wrinkles that curl from them like script, like talons. How much squinting, how much laughter to earn each of those lines?"</i><br />
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Character Development: Pearl and her son are the main focus of the story, dealing with themes of loss and mental illness. I think watching them grow was one of the best parts of this story.<br />
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World Building: A future where machines play psychologist and tell us how to find personal happiness is an appropriately disturbing yet wistful notion giving the rise of technology. What an intriguing concept - what if there was an algorithm for happiness?<br />
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Writing Style: I adore Williams' carefully crafted prose! The way she tells the story alone makes this a good read. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy the tickle of clever words.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: The writing again is remarkable, and I cared about the characters.<br />
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Deal Benders: The ending felt like there was nothing left to say, but not exactly finished. I would have liked some resolution to the happiness machine thread rather than just following Pearl and her son for a short while.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars because even with the unsatisfying ending, the writing in this book made me really like it.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-90093444072544776292018-11-21T07:11:00.005-08:002018-11-21T07:11:54.044-08:00Angel and Bavar by Amy WilsonCover Quote: "One Beauty. One Beast. One Enchantment to Break."<br />
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Character Development: Angel and Bavar are each scarred by their early childhood memories - their parents disappearing from their lives in mysterious ways. They learn a few lessons along the way, but I couldn't say I ever really got to know either of them.<br />
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World Building: Earth with magical elements and a Gothic style house provide the backdrop for a spooky retelling.<br />
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Writing Style: Accessibly to readers of all ages, Wilson gears towards teens while giving adults relatable content.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: I'm a fan of favorite classics with a new twist, and I've never dreamed of this version. Angel and Bavar give fresh breath to an old tale.<br />
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Deal Benders: Some of the story felt a bit flat, and the main villain had strange dialogue.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars for a solid likable read.<br />
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For Fans of: Beauty and the BeastHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-66726362022894430792018-11-04T19:41:00.000-08:002018-11-04T19:44:09.942-08:00Shopgirl by Steve MartinQuoteable: <i>"...it is not the big events that hurt the most but rather the smallest questionable shift in tone at the end of a spoken word that can plow most deeply into the heart."</i><br />
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Characters: I've known versions of each of the character types represented in this novella. Many of the trappings of modern day romance and growing up play out in these pages. I realize many people hated this book claiming they felt flat, but I found quite the opposite.<br />
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Writing Style: Martin's observations of human behavior may very well come from personal experience. While it's allowable to not relate, I feel many of the low ratings were given based on personal agenda rather than actual merit. I enjoyed his writing.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: This book made me feel, sometimes empathy and other times pity for different personas. Works like this are important - reminding us we're not alone in the confusing universe of dating and finding our center.<br />
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Deal Benders: The ending felt a bit unfinished. I'm not quite sure what else I expected to happen, but I was expecting more of a flourish. Also I seem to have picked up a few books lately that have random explicit content. I don't read romance novels because they're the equivalent of so-called 'girl porn'...I'm all for some sexual tension but it would be nice to see a bit more innuendo and less F-bombs. If you're writing erotica then just do that rather than masquerading amid an otherwise enjoyable storyline.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3-3.5 stars. I liked it, but have to adjust for the innaccessible pieces. If it were appropriate for a wider audience, I could give the main story more of a recommendation.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-75644095869674021592018-11-04T04:22:00.001-08:002018-11-04T04:22:34.131-08:00The Unit by Ninni HolmqvistFirst Impression: I'm intrigued by a dystopian society where middle aged means dispensable.<br />
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Characters: I felt for the inhabitants of the unit, especially as they grow attached to each other while knowing it cannot end well. One relationship in particular stands out as star-crossed.<br />
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World Building: Claustrophobia is palpable in the underground unit, where only two seasons rotate around artificial sunlight. Otherwise a chracter-driven world.<br />
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Writing Style: I read this in one sitting, which is a testament to Holmqvist's writing ability. Except for a few unnecessary scenes, the story flowed really well.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: It didn't end the way I thought it would, which makes it all the more memorable. The relationships and moral questions bubbling up from this novel haunted my subconcious into the next day. The hallmark of good fiction is when it changes you in some small way.<br />
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Deal Benders: The author writes sex scenes with all the passion of a scientist observing the act. Seriously egregious sex scenes, enough already. This makes your book unsuitable for such a wider audience, I'm still not sure why authors feel the need to laboriously detail intimacy. It feels like a cheap ploy to increase hype...End rant.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars for a solid likeable read.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-68873958802538540502018-11-04T03:57:00.001-08:002018-11-04T03:57:38.380-08:00The City of Dreaming Books (Zamonia #4) by Walter MoersFirst Impression: The title alone, and the idea of a whole city of books is enough to sweep me off my feet!<br />
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Characters: A plethora of imaginitive characters who make up Zamonia. My favorites were the Booklings. The endless names of fictitious authors and books became exhausting though...<br />
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World Building: A fully realized world built of its characters, Zamonia is unlike anything you've ever imagined.<br />
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Writing Style: Somewhere between Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, Moers has a lovely way with words. If only many of them weren't so distracting from the story.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: Fanciful and unique, with elements any book lover will adore. Who doesn't want to live in a city of books? The last half of this book is best, so if you find yourself getting bored you can always skip ahead.<br />
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Deal Benders: The endless prattling on about specific books or the inane history of one particular author or event removed me from the story long enough to walk away multiple times. I found myself really <i>wanting</i> to like this book, and I will try others by this author since I've heard good things.<br />
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Overall Rating: Somewhere between 2-2.5 stars. The elements didn't come together for me on this one.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-61113638498939057082018-10-31T13:39:00.000-07:002018-10-31T13:39:32.131-07:00Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen KingQuotable: <i>"secrets are a problem, maybe the biggest problem of all. They weigh on the mind and take up space in the world."</i><br />
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Characters: Follow Gwendy from childhood through becoming an adult, while she carries a burden none of us want to carry. The man in the hat is both charming and creepy, he arrives with cliffhanger information and a smile on his face.<br />
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World Building: I've always been a fan of Stephen King's ability to craft a world. Even when he only has 171 pages to do so, the scene is painted using enough gray to be realistic with a rainbow of the fantastic.<br />
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Writing Style: King builds suspense like no one else I've read. This tale is haunting yet plausible. Moral dilemmas make commentary on current events, wrapped in a bubble of fiction.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: I liked how I didn't know what to expect. Without ruining anything, there were scenes I never saw coming. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed this author's work, but a good reminder of what he's capable of under the right conditions.<br />
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Deal Benders: One of the main villains falls a bit flat as a character, but it doesn't really take away too much from the story.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars - I really liked it, and the length was very appropriate for the content.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-52402940089203935702018-10-28T06:26:00.002-07:002018-11-04T03:58:09.658-08:00The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library #1) by Genevieve CogmanQuotable: <i>"Heroic fiction had plenty of manly handclasps in it...but it had never gone into how you retrieved your hand afterwards, and whether there were any relevant squeezes or other manoeuvres."</i><br />
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Characters: The usual suspects in a fantasy series, with a hint at future romance between the main characters. The main villain is the most interesting personality, although they only appear towards the end of this first book. The others fell a bit flat for me. <br />
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World Building: The first half of the book primarily deals with creating The Library and alternate worlds. Some of these are magical and technological in varying balanced degrees, others have only one. Chaos and order ebb and flow in a never-ending battle, while creatures of lore carry the balance.<br />
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Writing Style: Young Adult level that picks up the pace in the last ten chapters or so. It seemed like Cogman wanted to share a wealth of information, then saved the intrigue for a grand finish. <br />
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What I Enjoyed: The final scenes, as I mentioned previously, redeemed this book for me. I hope to see more of this style in upcoming installments.<br />
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Deal Benders: Unfortunately, much of the first in this series felt like an info dump instead of slowly crafting the scene. This is a pit many authors fall into, and stories can be lost on the spikes. I am willing to give the next book a chance to see if these issues are resolved. <br />
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Overall Rating: 3.5 stars for an enjoyable adventure. The ending redeems wading through the slow starting tide.<br />
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For Fans of: Books about books, Sherlock Holmes mysteries</div>
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Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-81889885133874246202018-10-14T08:46:00.002-07:002018-10-14T08:46:31.646-07:00Vox by Christina DalcherQuotable: "As of two minutes ago, my name isn't Jean. My name is Thief."<div>
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<br />Characters: I adore a strong female character, with real struggles and no time for victimization. <br /><br />World Building: A scary yet not too far from realistic dystopian future, where religious zealots try to silence women in a return to the good old days. Stark and unnerving. <br /><br />Writing Style: I was captivated by Dalcher's writing. Accessible yet surprising, she entrances from the first sentence of every chapter. This is difficult to maintain from the initial excitement of a first page, so I was very impressed by such a feat. The research and explanation behind the neuroscience shows a care for accuracy and detail. I'm still a bit speechless after finishing this book.<br /><br />What I Enjoyed: I finished this book in one day - I could not put it down! The story telling, characters, and writing style made me an instant fan of this author. The sparse cover, print and chapter length selection, everything timed perfectly together. I can't wait to read more of her work.<br /><br />Deal Benders: The rare occasion where I can't find anything wrong with a book. <3<br /><br />Overall Rating: 5 stars - It's been some time since a book grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I'm so glad I made this my next Goodread!</div>
Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-11297582191099511012018-10-11T18:41:00.001-07:002018-12-08T07:23:15.333-08:00Ink and Bone by Rachel CaineFirst Impression: A book about libraries, yes please!<br />
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Characters: When characters become like friends, you know an author understands how to create them. Unger brings depth and distinction to each character as the highlight of this first installment.<br />
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World Building: Visceral and chilling. A future where owning books is a crime, and society is afraid of the librarians. <br />
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Writing Style: Well-paced, beautiful prose. Plot pieced together with background information in the form of letters. I appreciate this type of story telling.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: This is not a happy tale, yet an important realization of a cold reality within the realm of possibility. Many times in history groups have attempted to control the reading of the masses. I'm reminded of when slaves and women in this country were not allowed to read. Times when books were banned in many nations, or even burned to silence a population. <br />
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Deal Benders: In the second book I would like to see some hope for these characters and the world. Although wonderful, it was a bit bleak.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars - I haven't read anything quite like Ink and Bone, which is hard to accomplish. I'm going to buy the next one as soon as my queue clears.<br />
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For Fans Of: Books about books! The Giver, Fahrenheit 451</div>
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Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-50109638722758546622018-09-17T17:30:00.001-07:002018-09-17T17:30:07.252-07:00The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro ArikawaFirst Impression: Great reviews and an animal's perspective usually make for a good story.<div>
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<br /><br />Characters: The people are observed by a cat, and maybe that's why they are uninteresting. The cat itself is simple and boring.<br /><br />World Building: I don't want to go on the road with someone while he visits friends, and I definitely don't enjoy doing so in a book.<br /><br />Writing Style: Maybe something got lost in translation, but the writing was too simple for me. More like middle grade fiction.<br /><br />What I Enjoyed: It was a cute story, just not memorable.<br /><br />Deal Benders: I think everyone who adores this book must be a cat lover, because I don't get the big deal. It was OK, but too hyped up for the delivery. Disappointed overall. <br /><br />Overall Rating: 2 stars - I've already forgotten about it.</div>
Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-35395282752017762018-09-17T16:41:00.000-07:002018-09-17T16:41:05.991-07:00The Supervillain and Me by Danielle BanasFirst Impression: I'm excited to see if this is a supervillain love story or what else unfolds.<br />
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Characters: Teenagers who sometimes act like adults and other times awkward children - so about right for the target audience.<br />
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World Building: Supers have powers, but there isn't a whole lot that goes into why. We're sort of dropped into the world, but it's not too distracting.<br />
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Writing Style: I can tell this is Banas' first book. While the last ten chapters are better than the rest of the book, there were many problematic things for me. The author is trying to hard sometimes to make the teenagers awkward. Certain dialogue is distracting and pulls the reader out of the story.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: As I mentioned, the last ten chapters really surprised me. Very cool finish and an interesting premise.<br />
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Deal Benders: Awkward dialogue at times that doesn't really represent teenagers. Also can we stop the trend of men showing up in women's bedrooms? It's not romantic, it's creepy.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars - A fresh take on superhero antics, and an enjoyable quick read.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-1207161433146988842018-09-17T16:30:00.001-07:002018-09-17T16:31:23.142-07:00Called to Create by Jordan RaynorI tell everyone about this book - read it. Get your hands on a copy if you are any kind of creative person.<div>
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<br />Raynor talks about God as the first entrepreneur, and what that means for us since we are made in his image. If you've ever wondered how your 9-5 could possibly be as meaningful as your friend who goes on mission trips to Africa - this book is for you. If you've been trained to believe spending every waking minute at church serving is the only way to be a Christian - this book is for you. Accessible to read with relevant examples about how being a Christian and a creative business person are not mutually exclusive. Go get a copy! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-72613978305179286412018-09-17T16:27:00.004-07:002018-09-17T16:32:04.569-07:00Wonderblood by Julia WhickerDNF - this book was too disturbing for me. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />It might be good for those who enjoy gory and dark themes, but it was unsettling for my sensibilities. Trigger warnings abound. Not badly written, and interesting premise, but I think the author went too dark.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-64504952617870012432018-07-29T19:19:00.000-07:002018-07-29T19:19:21.133-07:00The Body Institute by Carol RiggsFirst Impression: I am a big fan of this author, so looking forward to her take on body swapping.<br />
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Characters: The main character Morgan definitely grows as the story unfolds. Her relationships with family, friends, and even enemies are relatable.<br />
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World Building: New tech and a bleak world are adeptly drawn, as political and moral commentary build suspense.<br />
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Writing Style: I appreciate how Riggs tells a story - thinking about details often missed by authors focused on driving the plot forward.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: In a plausible future, the government is involved in every aspect of our lives. I took this story as a cautionary tale - when we think letting our freedoms go in the name of security is a good idea with disasterous results.<br />
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Deal Benders: Morgan's attitude at times felt a bit cold instead of believable, especially towards her family. Some parts felt rushed, while others dragged on. The dialogue was a bit awkward at times as well...phrases and words that teenagers haven't said in a few decades.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars - An interesting premise with good futuristic ideas.Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-89987171828604660802018-07-22T08:16:00.001-07:002018-07-22T08:21:11.054-07:00The Lost Girl (Lost Knight #2) by Candy AtkinsFirst Impression: I adored the first installment, and can't wait to continue this series!<br />
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Characters: Old friends like Jonah and Dathid make appearances throughout, while a host of new ones are introduced and expanded upon. Agatha remains sullen for most of this second book, but begins to find herself towards the end. The author challenges us to look past the surface of judging people at first sight as well as our prejudice by having Agatha interact with her new fellow citizens, so different from herself.<br />
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World Building: Where Atkins really shines is creating a fantastic yet beautiful world to explore. Creatures, characters, and scenery are invented or borrowed from legend. <br />
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Writing Style: Easy to read for any age, and clean for YA. <br />
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What I Enjoyed: I fell in love with Ashra, the parallel universe Agatha returned to after her 13 years on Earth. Concepts like time and the finest details of armor or food immerse the reader in another world. <br />
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Deal Benders: I don't care for Agatha sometimes, as I feel she is a bit whiny. I would have liked her character to develop gradually, instead of all at once towards the end of this book. Also, her relationships with old friends like Jonah and Dathid don't change, while she forms very quick and strong attachments to others. <br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars - I really enjoy this series, and look forward to seeing what new adventures book 3 brings!<br />
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Recommended Reading:<br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261604.Rhapsody_Child_of_Blood__Symphony_of_Ages___1_" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="Rhapsody Child of Blood (Symphony of Ages, #1) by Elizabeth Haydon"><img alt="Rhapsody Child of Blood (Symphony of Ages, #1) by Elizabeth Haydon" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388350382s/261604.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/769483.Magyk__Septimus_Heap___1_" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1) by Angie Sage"><img alt="Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1) by Angie Sage" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404330986s/769483.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a></div>
Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-8584911386015258822018-07-14T16:22:00.001-07:002018-07-22T07:50:36.963-07:00Construct 11 Part II: Trust and Loyalty by Anna Lynn MillerFirst Impression: I can't wait to read Part II in this dystopian series!<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"></span>
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Characters: Daniel and the rest of the Seventeens grow and mature while acquiring knowledge the Leaders never wanted them to find. Caretakers (parents) show their human flaws, and a predator roams the Construct. <br /><br />World Building: Life inside Construct 11 is appropriately depicted as confining. I can't imagine living in a world where the sky is only seen through the roof of a building. There's a not-so-surprising yet satisfying ending to this installment that makes me want to read the third!<br /><br />Writing Style: I appreciate Miller's ability to write for all ages while keeping seasoned readers interested. Once in a while I wished for better conversations between the teenage characters however, as they felt very Leave It To Beaver.<div>
<br />What I Enjoyed: Many of the themes in this series and installment are new ideas. Secret lives and hidden treasures made me bring this book with me everywhere. The chracters are overall authentic and the plot deals with issues in everyday society.<br /><br />Deal Benders: The women are all depicted as helpless and emotional children who need men to protect them - this really annoyed me even though it makes sense in such a closed society story. I would like to see stronger female characters in Part 3 please!<br /><br />Overall Rating: 4 stars - I really like this story and want to find out if the characters leave the Construct. Hopefully creating space for capable females along the way.<br /><br />Recommended Reading: <br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28246901.The_Lying_Planet" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="The Lying Planet by Carol Riggs"><img alt="The Lying Planet by Carol Riggs" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472071377s/28246901.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25690645.City_of_Words" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="City of Words by Steven J. Carroll"><img alt="City of Words by Steven J. Carroll" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439880302s/25690645.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29905110.Hurst__The_Hurst_Chronicles__1_" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="Hurst (The Hurst Chronicles #1) by Robin Crumby"><img alt="Hurst (The Hurst Chronicles #1) by Robin Crumby" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460488529s/29905110.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20489361.Truth__The_Geneva_Project___1_" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" title="Truth (The Geneva Project, #1) by Christina Benjamin"><img alt="Truth (The Geneva Project, #1) by Christina Benjamin" class="gr-hostedUserImg" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389151997s/20489361.jpg" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%;" /></a></div>
Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-85525684743386135922018-06-23T09:01:00.004-07:002018-06-23T09:01:54.846-07:00Empyrean's Fall by Nicole L. BatesFirst Impression: I can't wait to continue this series! Also, another gorgeous cover.<br />
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Characters: The Leroni are a humanoid alien species to the humans who've landed on a strange planet somewhat like their own while vastly and dangerously new. I found the relationships authentic and the conflict believable. Of course my favorite is the love between Jahira and Krnar.<br />
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World Building: Again Bates brings exploration of Empyrean with peril and delight. Creatures, flora and fauna, and a host of other new discoveries await. I'm always impressed with this author's careful thought behind the technology and medicinal practices, as well as the character daily lifestyles and adventures.<br />
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Writing Style: Approachable and easy to follow, while building a complex enough sci-fi escape. Creating a series enjoyable for adults yet innocent enough for YA is no easy task, but Bates surprises me yet again with this accomplishment.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: What did I not enjoy might be the better question here? I want this series to go on forever. My favorite parts of fantasy and sci-fi combine to create a fast-paced adventure with enough tender and reflective moments to be immersive.<br />
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Overall Rating: 5 stars - Feel good at times, gripping at others. Everything I want in a story.<br />
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For Fans Of: Rhapsody series by Elizabeth Hayden, Jurassic ParkHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-40628810229768048262018-05-28T10:50:00.000-07:002018-05-28T10:50:25.948-07:00Land of Nod, The Artifact (Land of Nod #1) by Gary HooverFirst Impression: Traveling to another realm is always a fascination of mine. Let's dive in!<br />
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Characters: Mainly about a group of kids who are a bit precocious and mature for their age. One of them happens to be from Earth, and the others from an alternate dimension of some kind. The themes and relationships throughout are a social commentary with valuable lessons for life outside the page.<br />
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World Building: I adored the setup, the science, and the creatures in <i>The Artifact</i>. Readers will easily visualize the other world, similar enough to Earth for us to imagine while fantastic enough to excite that fantasy world within.<br />
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Writing Style: Middle-grade accessible reading flow with dialogue and character thoughts that reveal the author's personality. The adults are supporting characters, and you get to see their decisions through the perspective of a young boy. It's not easy to regress the adult mind while reading, but Hoover manages to do so delightfully.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: The way Jeff enters the other world from Earth is so whimsical yet scientifically believable. I won't give it away, but I really liked that part. The gadgets and creatures are also intriguing. I look forward to seeing what Jeff and his friends get up to in the next installment.<br />
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Deal Benders: I thought this would be a bit more YA than Middle Grade, but it's not the end of the world. If you appreciate a nostalgic children's story every once in a while, definitely pick this one.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4 stars: Fast-paced and feel-good.<br />
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For Fans Of: The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter PanHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-40348570014221808972018-05-20T11:56:00.000-07:002018-05-20T11:56:08.635-07:00Bottled by Carol RiggsFirst Impression: I haven't read a genie story in a very long time - plus that cover looks magical!<br />
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Characters: Clean YA romance themes throughout with a touch of magic. Adeelah is a genie trapped by a sort of magic curse. After centuries of spoiled "masters", she finds one who will change her world. What is most important is the characters each grow and evolve throughout the story, making them come to life.<br />
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World Building: Everything was plausible, if yet fantastic. The background of how Adeelah comes by her powers, as well as the impact of her abilities are fully realized in this short book.<br />
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Writing Style: This is the third book I've read by this author. Riggs brings a wonderfully new twist on an old story.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: I want a sequel. Bottled will likely stay with me, as the relationships and plot were so different from what I've read lately. I wanted to pick this book up every chance I had, which speaks to its magic.<br />
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Deal Benders: I'm not sure of the intended audience. If written for YA, there are violent themes I would suggest for adults only.<br />
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Overall Rating: 4.5 stars for this short gem of a story. I wish for another installment, so now you have to write one - right?<br />
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For Fans Of: Aladdin, Harry PotterHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-17849728191108529252018-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:002018-05-20T11:39:26.109-07:00Stars Uncharted by S.K. DunstallFirst Impression: A beautiful cover among the stars - take me away! <div>
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<br />Characters: Everyone has a unique personality with a sense of individual background and outlook. I would have liked more character development as the story progressed. <br /><br />World Building: Set on space stations and ships, the universe feels realistic. Most of the building is spent describing the mod machines, ingredients, and history. <br /><br />Writing Style: The Dunstall duo offers a fast-paced adventure with easy to read language. I appreciate their ability to create new words and ideas without making them confusing or distracting to the story. <br /><br />What I Enjoyed: New technology and terminology is exciting to my creative mind, and is handled wonderfully in Stars Uncharted. <br /><br />Deal Benders: I wanted more to happen than just a group of bad guys chasing down a group of good guys. Some parts were repetitive, and the ending left me feeling unresolved. <br /><br />Overall Rating: 3 stars solid for an enjoyable among the stars.<br /><br />For Fans Of: Firefly</div>
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Hopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-4613166220700790092018-04-20T21:05:00.002-07:002018-04-20T21:06:31.557-07:00Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones #1) by C.L. SchneiderFirst Impression: A cover full of emotion an an exciting magical premise.<br />
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Characters: Ian Troy narrates his painful journey of confronting his past to fight for his future. His family, friends, and enemies are well thought out and often relatable. I was saddened how all characters seem to be hopeless addicts to either magic or power. Although I don't like Troy very much, there are redeeming supporting mates to cheer on such as Jarryd. The connections and relationships are tangible and complex, making for a compelling story.<br />
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World Building: Rella and the surrounding world are from a simpler time before techonology and industry. The magic addiction and oppression, slavery, and obsession are difficult and heady themes throughout. Magic is written as something addictive and unpredictable with severe consequences - something not often considered in the fantasy genre so in love with the idea of magic.<br />
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Writing Style: Schneider weaves magic with words, like a song on the wind. No part of this story was boring or rushed, which is no easy task at 500 pages.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: The author has a gift for writing, and the characters are unique and dimensional. Ian's interactions with his companions felt authentic. It's not always clear who the "bad guys" are, which is often true in life. Whomever records history has the perspective of virtue.<br />
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Deal Benders: The sexual themes throughout this first book could definitely trigger some readers. I would rate it R for adult content, which seemed to be added simply as a show of violence. These themes felt cheap and egregious, as if the author was trying too hard to impress a lustful audience. I think there are better ways to create tension than to describe sex scenes in detail, as it usually detracts from the story. The violence, torture, and other themes made for a very bleak read.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3 stars - I enjoyed many parts of this book, so this was a tough one. I would have given another star for the excellent writing and characters if there was less extreme violence and a little bit of hope.<br />
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For Fans Of: Game of ThronesHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076649858585542211.post-14732799298822431792018-03-24T07:20:00.000-07:002018-03-24T07:20:24.075-07:00Trinity (Dark Legacy #1) by Domenico Italio Composto-HartFirst Impression: Great title and cover although 600-some pages is daunting.<br />
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Characters: Kieko and Aiko are adolescents with typical teen problems. They hate each other out of fear and jealousy, yet strive towards a common goal. Their mentor is reminiscent of an old samurai warrior mixed with a Buddhist priest. I thought at any moment he would say, "patience, young grasshopper." Their relationships with family and each other were my favorite parts. The pieces that fell flat for me surrounded the character building of the evil enemies.<br />
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World Building: Set in the time of the fabled Atlantis, narrations by some wise and aged yet unknown lifeform interject the plot. We get to know the story of a previous generation, then focus for the remainder on Kieko's present. The descriptions of the temple and the Lemurian way of life paint an image of some remote untouched corner of the world.<br />
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Writing Style: Domenico is gifted with the ability to draw the reader into a story, even if it's not their typical preferred type of story. The details are reminiscent of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series. At times however, I felt the dialogue a bit overdone. Shinsei and Keiko especially would benefit from variation.<br />
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What I Enjoyed: The relationships between all characters ring true and complex, which is not always easy to accomplish in the fantasy / sci-fi realm. Many of the action scenes are shocking yet realistic, which is appreciated in an adult series.<br />
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Deal Benders: Why were the Atlanteans attacking? Were they even the Atlanteans at this point? What is behind this evil force? What motivates them to kill and destroy with such force? I had way too many questions about the motives and the whole point of the antagonist throughout. I think if this is to be a 6-part series each installment could be condensed by removing uber-detailed depictions and lengthy conversations.<br />
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Overall Rating: 3.5 stars - An enjoyable read with a fresh premise. However, this first book does not warrant 616 pages.<br />
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For Fans Of: Kung Fu, The Karate KidHopefullyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04254106848185079478noreply@blogger.com0