Mini Reviews 15

The Caller by Juliet Marillier

Summary:
Some spoilers for the previous two books in the Shadowfell series: 
Neryn is seeking to complete her training with all the guardians, but the task is proving difficult.  Then, just when she thinks she might finish in time, another unforeseen threat arises that makes her position even more precarious, and Neryn must decide to put herself in a dangerous situation to help save them all.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoy everything by Juliet Marillier that I read.  She has an amazing writing talent, in her descriptions and word choice, but especially in her ability to bring fairy stories to life.  The fairy world she's created feels very real and the characters, both human and fairy, are so intriguing and fascinating.  I love the way the fair folk speak, because it honestly makes them even more real.  And makes me want to visit this place, despite its despicable tyrant.  The story was a bit contrived and the ending rather convenient, but I still enjoyed it.  Can't wait for more from this author!
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The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

Summary:
Colonel Protheroe was murdered - at the vicarage, in fact, and the police are having a difficult time figuring out just who might have done it.  Everyone seems suspect, especially considering how unpopular the colonel was.  But the unlikely Miss Jane Marple, a white-haired old lady, is the keenest detective in town and will have the mystery figured out in no time.

My Thoughts:
It took me ages to listen to this on audio (thank you, Sync), but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I'm not much of a mystery person, but there's a reason Agatha Christie is famous for her books.  Throughout the story, I was sure the murderer was one person, then another, then someone else entirely.  I was completely surprised.  Interesting characters and story, not to mention the look at small-town life where everyone knows and talks about everyone else.
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Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

Summary from goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Noa has been a victim of the system ever since her parents died. Now living off the grid and trusting no one, she uses her hacking skills to stay anonymous and alone. But when she wakes up on a table in a warehouse with an IV in her arm and no memory of how she got there, Noa starts to wish she had someone on her side.

Enter Peter Gregory. A rich kid and the leader of a hacker alliance, Peter needs people with Noa’s talents on his team. Especially after a shady corporation threatens his life in no uncertain terms. But what Noa and Peter don’t realize is that Noa holds the key to a terrible secret, and there are those who’d stop at nothing to silence her for good.

My Thoughts:
I really tried to like this one more (I couldn't even write a summary).  I thought it sounded intriguing and loved the idea of it.  The characters were uninteresting and worse, I disliked them.  I couldn't even bring myself to root for them.  The story seemed to be a little bit all over the place.  It's been a while since I read it and I can't even remember much of what happens.  Too bad, since it really sounded interesting.
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Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Summary:
Not sure I can even do a summary.  Let's say this: evil emperor, underdogs making an effort to overthrow him, seriously cool powers: allomancy, fabulously created fantasy world.

My Thoughts:
This was my first adult Brandon Sanderson book.  Wow, he really does have a talent.  Yes, the books are thick and detailed and full of world-building.  I loved every second of it.  I adored the characters and I need to find the time to read the rest of this series.  This world is fascinating and complicated and I am so in awe of Sanderson's ability to create multiple worlds of this depth.  Need more!
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Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan

Summary from goodreads: *Spoilers for the previous two books in the Lynburn Legacy series*

Kami has lost the boy she loves, is tied to a boy she does not, and faces an enemy more powerful than ever before. With Jared missing for months and presumed dead, Kami must rely on her new magical link with Ash for the strength to face the evil spreading through her town.

Rob Lynburn is now the master of Sorry-in-the-Vale, and he demands a death. Kami will use every tool at her disposal to stop him. Together with Rusty, Angela, and Holly, she uncovers a secret that might be the key to saving the town. But with knowledge comes responsibility—and a painful choice. A choice that will risk not only Kami’s life, but also the lives of those she loves most.

My Thoughts:
I have to admit, the first book in this series was my favorite. I found as I continued the series that I was less and less interested.  Yes, things are more scary and dark.  Yes, Kami is still fabulous and her entire personality fascinates me.  The dialog and the interactions of all the characters is the most interesting thing about this series.  I love the humor and how they still manage to be teenagers despite the horrible stuff they're fighting.  The end seemed a little crazy and all over and what in the world is going on here, but satisfying too.  Even if a cried so much over a particular part :(

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Mini Reviews 14

Time to play catch up on 2014 books and a whole slew of mini reviews are headed your way.  Enjoy?


Switched by Amanda Hocking

Summary: 
Wendy hasn't had an easy life, what with her mother trying to kill her when she was six.  But, things are about to get way more complicated when a mysterious guy comes to take her "home." She's a changeling and now she's thrown into a whole new magical world that she has no idea how to navigate.

My Thoughts:
Blech, blah, ugh.  If this hadn't been for a book group, I would have chucked it long and hard.  I did not enjoy the writing (a rather kind way of putting it), the characters made me crazy, the story was derivative, and I just didn't care what happened.  After having a book club member who loved it tell me what happens in the rest of the series, I'm soooooo glad I didn't bother reading more.  Save yourself from this book. (Whew, sorry that was such a nasty review - I had a pretty strong reaction. Lots of other people really like this series, so read some other opinions before writing it off completely :)
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House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini
Summary:
When Cordelia, Brendan, and Eleanor move into a mysterious new mansion, they expect to have adventures. Just not to be thrown into a world full of warriors, pirates, and evil queens. Now they have to figure out just where they are and how they will get home again.

My Thoughts:
I had a lovely friend recommend this to me. I still like that friend. I did not like this book. Almost in the first three chapters I wanted to stop reading, but made myself continue so that I could return it and tell her I finished. The writing left much to be desired. Every other sentence had a product drop (this will age the book very quickly) and I couldn't bring myself to care about characters who didn't have much in the way of personality. Also, the plot was very convoluted, all over the place, and not entirely sure where it was going. Not worth the time spent reading it, I felt.
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What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Summary:
During an ordinary day at the gym, Alice falls and suffers some memory loss - as in the last ten years of her life. Alice only remembers being in love with her husband, expecting her first child, and loving where she was at in life. She is forced to face the truth of her 10 years older life - getting divorced, three children, and completely different from who she was before. So, which Alice is she?

My Thoughts:
Hey, I actually enjoyed this one :). I bet you thought this whole post would be full of negative reviews. Anyway, we read this for book group as well and I found it really fascinating. What I liked most wasn't even the story or characters, it was the idea of looking back at myself ten years ago and wondering if I would like who I am now. We change in such subtle ways we might not notice until we are somewhere completely different. Also, because of my personal experiences with infertility, I was dying for more of Elizabeth's story. Thought-provoking.
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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

Summary:
This tells the story of Louis Zamperini, former Olympian runner who gets caught up World War II as an airman. His incredible story of survival of a plane crash, days adrift at sea, and as a prisoner of war will enthrall and horrify. But his survival and how he deals with all of it, will inspire.

My Thoughts:
This is a powerful story. I love how detailed and very well-researched this book was. As I was reading, I kept thinking Louis' life couldn't get any more horrifying. And then it would. It always seems like I read fiction because it is more interesting than real life. This disproves that 1000 times over. Near the end, I was super depressed, because he really just struggles so much and against such terrible odds. And then he finally comes home and he has to deal with the emotional and physical toll that being imprisoned and tortured left on him. But the most beautiful part of all is what the title suggests. He was unbroken. It's a tough read, but if you get to the end, you will see your life in a whole new way.
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Matilda by Roald Dahl

Summary:
Matilda is pretty much a genius, but brushed off by her uninterested parents. She hoped school would be different, but Ms. Trunchbull the evil school mistress is determined to squelch any fire of Matilda's spirit. But Matilda is determined to fight back.

My Thoughts:
I'd never read this book as a kid and I really enjoyed watching Matilda discover herself and deal with the difficult family she had. I was a bit surprised at how there doesn't seem to be much of a story, though. It was much more simplistic and convenient (particularly the very end) to be believable. I'm quite sure I'd have loved it as a kid, but reading it as an adult, I found it just a bit ridiculous.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Clariel by Garth Nix

Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen by Garth Nix
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: October 2014
Pages: 400
Source: e-book from Edelweiss
For: Review
Series: Old Kingdom, Prequel

Summary from goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Clariel is not adjusting well to her new life in the city of Belisaere, the capital of the Old Kingdom. She misses roaming freely within the forests of Estwael, and she feels trapped within the stone city walls. And in Belisaere she is forced to follow the plans, plots and demands of everyone, from her parents to her maid, to the sinister Guildmaster Kilp. Clariel can see her freedom slipping away. It seems too that the city itself is descending into chaos, as the ancient rules binding Abhorsen, King and Clayr appear to be disintegrating.

With the discovery of a dangerous Free Magic creature loose in the city, Clariel is given the chance both to prove her worth and make her escape. But events spin rapidly out of control. Clariel finds herself more trapped than ever, until help comes from an unlikely source. But the help comes at a terrible cost. Clariel must question the motivations and secret hearts of everyone around her - and it is herself she must question most of all.

Things I Liked:
Finally!  And I've forgotten pretty much everything about Sabriel and crew.  This book made me want to go reread all of those.  But I still fell into the whole world all over again.  I loved seeing the history of the abhorsens.  I loved the characters, though they had kind of an inevitable choices feel to them.  Like they would end up one way and there was no way it could be different.  Fated? I don't know.  It was a sad story.  I adore the magic and the way things are set up, even if I did pretty much forget everything I'd learned about the charter from before.  Such a great series.

Things I Didn't Like:
It was rather long and had a lot of extraneous detail, sometimes.  Also, very slow building.  Still, very well-written and hard to not enjoy :)

Read-alikes:
Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen by Garth nix

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
that I recall :)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Bloggiesta Wrap Up

Is bloggiesta over already? Man, that was a fast week.  I did pretty well with my goals, though I got kind of burned out by a crazy week from about...Wednesday on.  I did accomplish a few things: I've written and formatted a number of reviews, but really, considering I have 40+ titles waiting to be reviewed...well, I don't think I made much of a dent.  Here's the list of what I did do:

Updated Author and Title review archive pages
Wrote some reviews (not caught up, but pounded out some)
Cleaned up side bars
I also did a little bit from Ms. Bookish's mini-challenge to brainstorm blog post ideas (not the full challenge, but I made a short list)

I seriously can't believe I didn't make it to a single twitter chat! I really wanted to, but every time I planned to, I got busy with my daughter (she's rather a handful right now, which makes it hard to tweet and watch her :)

The new spokesperson for Ally Carter's books :)

Anyway, I loved having a whole week to work on it, because there were some days where I honestly didn't have the energy or time to sit down and work on it.  But there were still days where I could.  Nice! How did your bloggiesta go?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw by Christopher Healy

The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw by Christopher Healy
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Publication date: April 2014
Pages: 528
Source: Won from publisher!
For: Fun!
Series: League of Princes, Book 3

Summary from goodreads:

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You think you know those guys pretty well by now, don't you? Well, think again. Posters plastered across the thirteen kingdoms are saying that Briar Rose has been murdered—and the four Princes Charming are the prime suspects. Now they're on the run in a desperate attempt to clear their names. Along the way, however, they discover that Briar's murder is just one part of a nefarious plot to take control of all thirteen kingdoms—a plot that will lead to the doorstep of an eerily familiar fortress for a final showdown with an eerily familiar enemy.

Things I Liked:
Ah, the League of Princes is at it again. Only on the wrong side of the law. And I just still love all the hilarious mix-ups and shenanigans that go on.  Healy is a hilarious writer and I will read anything that he puts out.  It's so relaxing to just read something light, frivolous, and fun.  Also, happy endings are not exactly as you'd expect!

Things I Didn't Like:
Nothing! Need more. A book of tales about Sir Bertram the Dainty perhaps?

Read-alikes:
Reminds me of Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Maybe a bit like A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: *****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien
Publisher: Roaring Press Books
Publication date: September 2014
Pages: 432
Source: e-book from Netgalley
For: Fun
Series: Vault of Dreamers, Book 1

Summary from goodreads:

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success:  every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

Things I Liked:
Intersting premise - I thought the idea of a reality TV show about students was quite believable - (so many reality TV shows on now).  I also liked the sinister feeling of how it progressed and how Rosie wondered about things and then found out about them.  It made a slow steady change from reality TV drama to disturbing psychological drama.  Also, weirdest. Ending. Ever.

Things I Didn't Like:
Seriously, the ending. I was wondering how on earth O'Brien was going to wrap the story up, because it was really interesting.  But the ending was just so out there.  It seemed really strange and almost disconnected to the whole previous story.  I'm baffled.  I guess there will probably be sequels? I thought it would be better as a stand alone, if a weirdly ending one. Not sure how interested in sequels I am right now.

Read-alikes:
Uh...maybe a touch like Variant by Robison Wells

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
to be honest, I don't remember there being a lot, but probably some :)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
more creepy than gory

Overall rating: ** or ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: September 2014
Pages: 288
Source: e-book from Edelweiss
For: Review

Summary from goodreads:

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Things I Liked:
This book was really entertaining.  I LOVED our heroine, Jessamin.  I loved how she was different in her world, from somewhere outside, but White kept her from being stereotypically an outsider.  She reminded me of Nimira from Magic Under Glass, except Jessamin was smarter, stronger, and so different from what you expect.  I really liked the magic in the story and I loved that it's a stand alone.  The love story was good too, if a bit hard to believe. Mostly, I found the magic system and story to be quite fascinating and the characters exhibited my favorite Kiersten White banter.  Enjoyed it all around!

Things I Didn't Like:
Hm, not sure I can remember.  I just quite liked it.

Read-alikes:
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
some

mrg-factor: none
just some kissing

v-factor: ->
a little bit

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Bloggiesta!

Oh how I've missed participating in Bloggiesta! It's been three years?!?  How time flies when you aren't updating your blog :).  If you've no idea what Bloggiesta is, click on that link and find out!  Anyway, I'm so far behind in blog upkeep that a whole week wouldn't be sufficient even if I did have a week's worth of time.  But, maybe with some encouragement and participation in the blogging world again, I'll get some stuff done.  With that long and exceedingly drawn-out intro, here's my list:

Update Author and Title pages (sadly neglected)
Catch up on writing reviews (yep, still doing last year's books)
Maybe give my blog header some updating? (Meh, probably not - I'm not feeling inspired)
Clean up side bars (wow, some of that stuff is seriously outdated) As good as it will get :)

Write or brainstorm some non-review type posts

Well, it's not a long list, but I assure you there is enough work in there.  Participating in Bloggiesta? What are you excited to work on this week?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden by Philippa Dowding

A Karissa Review

The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden by Philippa Dowding
Publisher: Dundurn
Publication date: January 2014
Pages: 200

Summary (from goodreads):

This morning, I woke up on the ceiling ... So begins the strange story of Gwendolyn Golden. One perfectly ordinary day for no apparent reason, she wakes up floating around her room like one of her little brother’s Batman balloons. Puberty is weird enough. Everyone already thinks she’s an oddball with anger issues because her father vanished in a mysterious storm one night when she was six. Then there are the mean, false rumours people are spreading about her at school. On top of all that, now she’s a flying freak.
How can she tell her best friend or her mother? How can she live her life? After Gwendolyn almost meets disaster flying too high and too fast one night, help arrives from the most unexpected place. And stranger still? She’s not alone.

Things I Liked:
The idea of this book is a cool one. I like that it keeps to reality – what it’s like to fly in a world of non-flyers. I liked the main character, Gwennie – she’s a solid character. I loved her best friend Jez, and her flying mentor, Mrs. Forest.

Things I Didn't Like:
I didn’t like the overall incomplete feel of the book. Towards the end, you realize the author is setting up a second book for the character, but I was very frustrated, because she didn’t do it well. It’s funny, in the book, Gwennie mentions reading the Harry Potter books, and I have to make an unfortunate comparison to them. One of the reasons Harry Potter was so successful was because of the completeness of each book. You are fully immersed in that world, and each book can stand alone. It has a solid beginning, middle, and end. You want more books because of the fullness of the world Rowling created, not because she leaves you hanging at the end of each one.  This book is not like that. It almost feels like the author should have spent more time on it. The first 2/3 of the book is very reality based, and then kind of suddenly in the last 1/3 it veers off into more fantasy-ish.

Read-alikes:
Abby Carnelia’s One and Only Power by David Pogue (a much more satisfying and fun read)
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements (A really solid, powerful book)
(Both of these would get an Overall Rating of: ****)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: **

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Top Ten Books for Readers Who Like Retellings

 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

It's been ages since I've done a Top Ten Tuesday and I've really missed doing the lists.  It's no secret I'm a fan of retellings, so I thought I'd come up with a top ten.  Then, I realized I had too many faves, so I decided to cheat and separate fairy tale retellings from classic retellings.

Top Ten Twelve Fairy Tale Retellings:
League of Princes series by Christopher Healy (multiple tales)
Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer (multiple tales)
Entwined by Heather Dixon (12 Dancing Princesses)
Woodcutter Sisters series by Alethea Kontis (multiple tales)
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier (12 Dancing Princesses, Frog Prince)
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge (Beauty and the Beast)
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Rumplestiltskin)
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George (East of the Sun)
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (Six Swans)
Thornspell by Helen Lowe (Sleeping Beauty)
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (Maid Maleen)
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (The Goose Girl)
  
Top Ten Classic Retellings:
The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein series by Kenneth Oppel (Frankenstein)
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (Persuasion)
Dodger by Terry Pratchett (Oliver Twist)
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (Sherlock)
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughan (Robin Hood)
The Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper (King Arthur)
The Once and Future King by T.H. White (King Arthur)
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Cupid and Psyche)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (Greek mythology)
The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher by Jessica Lawson (Tom Sawyer)

What are your favorite retellings?

 

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Series Review: The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

The Selection, The Elite, and The One by Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication dates: 2012-2014
Source: Library
For: Book Group
Series: The Selection, Books 1-3

Summary (from yours truly, for a change):
In a world where castes rule the choices of career and love for many people, America Singer gets the chance of a lifetime - to vie against 34 other girls for the hand of Prince Maxon.  If only she had wanted that chance.  Already in love, she isn't interested in winning his hand.  Or is she?

Things I Liked:
The whole series is nice, easy to read, fluffy and entertaining.  It's not the kind of story that grips you, exactly, but I felt like I needed to read the series to the bitter end. (But not really the next books...).  I have to admit, it is somewhat fascinating reading about bachelor-style romances.  The very idea of them is so stupid, but it's dreadfully entertaining to watch them cat fight. 

Things I Didn't Like:
The last two books (in the original trilogy, don't get me started on more sequels) really annoyed me. I wanted to smack America over and over.  She just kept saying she needed to decide and then saying she would worry about it later.  No wonder you ended up with problems, girl.  You can't put that kind of stuff off forever.  Seriously, she was super naive and the books were all super predictable.  I almost had the entire ending figured out by the end of the first book.  And I really, really hated the love triangle disaster.  That was prolonged until I wanted to beat my head against a wall.  So why did I keep reading?  Entertainment. 

Read-alikes:
Eh, I don't know.

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
there might have been a few

mrg-factor: X
mostly snuggling and making out and such

v-factor: ->
some scary stuff and people die but very mildly described

Overall rating: ** or ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: April 2005
Pages: 352
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Artemis Fowl, Book 4

Summary from goodreads:

The evil pixie Opal Koboi has spent the last year in a self-induced coma, plotting her revenge on all those who foiled her attempt to destroy the LEPrecon fairy police. And Artemis Fowl is at the top of her list.

After his last run-in with the fairies, Artemis had his mind wiped of his memories of the world belowground. But they have not forgotten about him. Once again, he must stop the human and fairy worlds from colliding—only this time, Artemis faces an enemy who may have finally outsmarted him.

Things I Liked:
I really like the world Colfer has created.  The hilarious tongue-in-cheek and yet taking-themselves-seriously characters and just the whole idea of an underground world of fairies is so fantastic! And Mulch Diggums!  This is fabulous, witty, fun fantasy at its best.  I love the wicked plotter Opal and I love how Artemis is still an evil mastermind, but might be growing a conscience.

Things I Didn't Like:
Hm, not sure.  I just enjoyed the ride.

Read-alikes:
It's a bit of a young, silly Harry Potter read to me

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull

Chasing the Prophecy by Brandon Mull
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: March 2013
Pages: 512
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Beyonders, Book 3

Summary from goodreads: *Spoilers are inevitable for the first two books*

Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined.

And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost.

Things I Liked:
Brandon Mull has some seriously interesting things going on in his imagination.  This series pulls out all the stops and throws it all out there.  I did like how all the characters had to work together and do everything they could and more to even have a hope of succeeding.  It was well-plotted and allowed us to see what each person's contribution should be.  I especially liked how it focused a lot on how Rachel and others had serious doubts about the success of their mission and how this was dealt with.  Each person was unique in their responses to the pressure and stress.  Some really interesting fantasy stuff too.  The ending was pretty good as well, if a little bittersweet.

Things I Didn't Like:
I had a hard time feeling motivated to read this one.  It felt really long and got bogged down a lot by repetitive character feelings and actions.  I struggled to keep going, even with the snippets of action and adventure.  There was just too much stuff that distracted from the story, I think.  Still, a satisfying conclusion and a series for fans of complicated and a little bit crazy fantasies.

Read-alikes:
Reminds me of Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Also like the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some fighting

Overall rating: ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray

A Karissa Review

Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray
Publisher: Crown
Publication date: May 2012
Pages: 256

Summary from goodreads:

A mom in her early fifties, Clover knows she no longer turns heads the way she used to, and she's only really missed when dinner isn't on the table on time. Then Clover wakes up one morning to discover she's invisible--truly invisible. She panics even more when her family doesn't notice a thing. Her best friend immediately observes the change, which relieves Clover immensely--she's not losing her mind after all! But she is crushed by the realization that neither her husband nor her children ever truly look at her. She was invisible even before she knew it. Clover discovers that there are others like her, women of a certain age who seem to have disappeared. As she uses her invisibility to get to know her family and her town better, Clover leads the way in helping invisible women become recognized and appreciated no matter what their role.

What I Liked:
I loved, loved, loved this book. I loved the premise, and the way it deals with it on a literal and figurative level. For those of us of a “certain age,” well, we can really relate. At my library, I recommend this book to any of my patrons willing to admit they are over 40. Not only is the story clever and well written, there’s some fun humor in here. Here’s a teaser – She finds a meeting of other “affected” women, but they meet in empty hotel conference rooms. To make the room seem “empty” none of the invisible women wear clothes. (They are invisible, their clothes aren’t.) Her first encounter with this situation prompts my very favorite line of the book. I only sample adult fiction through Reader’s Digest Condensed books, because I really hate the language, sex, and blecgh you find in them. And RD takes all that out. So I read this book through RD first, and loved it so much, I went to a book store and rifled through the actual book to see if it was okay to recommend to others. And it is! It’s totally clean! (Except, maybe, for mental images of an invisible naked 50 year old woman...)

What I Didn’t Like:
The ending seemed plausible, but maybe too quickly wrapped up….

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel AND Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie
Publisher: Gutenberg Project
Publication date: originally published in 1911
Pages: 162
Source: Free e-book
For: Classic Double Challenge

Second Star by Alyssa B. Scheinmel
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: May 2014
Pages: 256
Source: e-book from NetGalley
For: Classic Double Challenge

Summary of Peter and Wendy (PW) from amazon:

Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A mischievous boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang, the Lost Boys, interacting with mermaids, Native Americans, fairies, pirates, and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside of Neverland.

Summary of Second Star (SS) from goodreads:

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

Things I Liked about PW:
The story is so much more quirky than the movies have made it out to be.  More humor for the adults who read it than fun for the kids who enjoy it, I think.  Still, it's whimsical and fun and has some interesting thoughts about kids and their nature. The basic story is still there, though, with some added other adventures most movies have left out.
 
Things I Liked about SS:
I was really enjoying this book, like loving the twist on Peter Pan that it played - a surfing story complete with a Neverland beach of perfect waves.  I even enjoyed the James Hook character and his evil, but not too evil feel.  I was sucked into the story.  But I kind of found the ending disappointing.

Things I Didn't Like about PW:
Sometimes it was just trying too hard to be a book about adults talking about kids who never grow up.  I think this was more of my own expectations of what Peter Pan's story is really about.  Peter isn't really all that likeable, is he?
 
Things I Didn't Like about SS:
As I mentioned, the ending kind of threw me off.  I liked the concept, got sucked into the drama and the update and really liked seeing the elements of Peter Pan that made it in.  But, found the ending wasn't as satisfying. Not that I didn't think it could end any other way, necessarily, but I just thought it was weird (trying not to be spoilery here).  Also, Wendy kind of bugged me throughout.

Read-alikes:
Lots of Peter Pan spin offs out there, tho this one seems a bit different than others
  
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS for PW:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS for SS:
s-factor: !@
some

mrg-factor: X
mostly just kind of implied stuff

v-factor: ->
it does get a bit intense in sections

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage