Be nonsense,
Be whimsical,
Be your own kind of beautiful.
~ Kenneth I. Zheng ~
28 Wednesday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inBe nonsense,
Be whimsical,
Be your own kind of beautiful.
~ Kenneth I. Zheng ~
26 Monday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inThanks to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
448 Pages
Synopsis: New York, 1882. A dark forbidding city, and no place for a girl with unexplainable powers.
Sixteen-year-old Avery Kohl pines for the life she had before her mother was taken. She fears the mysterious men in crow masks who locked her mother in the Tombs asylum for being able to see what others couldn’t. Avery denies the signs in herself, focusing instead on her shifts at the ironworks factory and keeping her inventor father out of trouble. Other than secondhand tales of adventure from her best friend, Khan, an ex-slave, and caring for her falcon Seraphine, Avery spends her days struggling to survive.
Like her mother’s, Abery’s powers refuse to be contained. When she causes a bizarre explosion at the factory, she has no choice but to run from her lies, straight into the darkest corners of the city. Avery must embrace her abilities and learn to wield their power—-or join her mother in the cavernous horrors of the Tombs. And the Tombs has secrets of its own: strange experiments are being performed on “patients”…and no one knows why.
I hope you all don’t mind, but this is going to be a shorter than usual review. I’m still battling health stuff, but I wanted to share how much I loved The Tombs. First, how gorgeous is that cover? C’mon. Aren’t your hands reaching for it just looking at it? I’m also thrilled to say that the story is just about as wonderful as the cover. It’s a perfect blend of history and fantasy, and Deborah Schaumberg does a fantastic job at bring gritty 1882 New York City to vividly to life. Almost everything works here, from the well-rounded, relatable characters to the marvelous world-building. The only reason why I’m not giving this a perfect 5 Stars is because toward the middle of the book the pace seemed to slow down a bit for a few chapters. Overall though, The Tombs is an absolutely stellar historical fantasy that I unhesitatingly recommend to fans of this genre. There’d better be a sequel in the works because that ending definitely left me wanting more!
26 Monday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: February 27th, 2018
322 Pages
Synopsis: In the thrilling, nerve-wracking finale of Ezekiel Boone’s “hair-raising” (Parade) Hatching series, the United States goes to war against the queen spiders that threaten to overtake the human race forever.
The world is on the brink of apocalypse. Zero Day has come.
The only thing more terrifying than millions of spiders is the realization that those spiders work as one. But among the government, there is dissent: do we try to kill all of the spiders., or do we gamble on Professor Guyer’s theory that we need to only kill the queens?
For President Stephanie Pilgrim, it’s an easy answer. She’s gone as far as she can—-more than two dozen American cities hit with tactical nukes, the country torn asunder—-and the only answer is to believe in Professor Guyer. Unfortunately, Ben Broussard and the military men who follow him don’t agree, and Pilgrim, Guyer, and the loyal members of the government have to flee, leaving the question: what’s more dangerous, the spiders or ourselves?
They’re baaaaak! Yep. After causing all sorts of bloody, gory mayhem in The Hatching, and Skitter, those carnivorous arachnids, now known as “Hell Spiders”, are back for one more go round with the human race! Having enjoyed the previous two books I’ve been looking forward to seeing how Ezekiel Boone was going to wrap things up. Unfortunately, I wound up being a bit disappointed with Zero Day.
The problem I ran into was that there was no spider action until I was 45% into the book. Call me warped, but I wanted more blood, more gore, more spiders bursting out out of people’s bodies, more people getting eaten, more…well you get the picture. Instead, there’s a lot of bouncing back and forth between characters. Now granted, there was a lot of that happening in the other books, but there was also plenty of action which kept the pace moving. I wouldn’t have had a huge issue with this as I like most of the people, except Boone adds even more in this book. It was just too much. I didn’t connect with the newbies, and their stories took away from the trials and tribulations of the ones I cared about. Also missing was some of the sly humor that was part of the other stories.
At about the 85% mark, the final battle against the spiders and their monstrous queens begin. Finally, here was the excitement I’d been desperately looking for and it was just as fun as the previous ones. I found myself rooting for my favorite characters and was happy with the way everything played out and was tied up.
While Zero Day wasn’t everything I had hoped it would be, overall the Hatching trilogy is one I unhesitatingly recommend to horror fans. There’s nothing deep and has no serious underlying message, it’s just fun. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that this gets turned into a Netflix series, because done right, this would be awesome! Ezekiel Boone’s next book, The Mansion, is due out in December and I can’t wait to read it.
25 Sunday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inIt seemed to travel with her, to sweep her aloft in the power of song, so that she was moving in glory among the stars, and for a moment she, too, felt that the words Darkness and Light had no meaning, and only this melody was real.
~ Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time ~
24 Saturday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
in
Rally against gun violence at the old Florida Capital in Tallahassee, Florida on February 21, 2018.
Photo by: Mark Wallheiser/AP
Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We’ve been waiting for you. And we’ve got your backs.
~ President Barack Obama, via Twitter – February 22, 2018 ~
Demonstrators outside the North Carolina State Capitol building in Raleigh, on February 20, 2018, observing a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre.
Photo by: Jonathan Drake/Reuters
“Lie-in” demonstration near the White House on February 19th, 2018.
Photo by: Zack Gibson/Getty
Students from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland marching in support for gun reform legislation on February 21, 2018.
Photo by: Win McNamee/Getty
22 Thursday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inHi Everyone. I just wanted to tell all of you who I’m friends with on Goodreads, that I’ve had to open a new account. It seems as though this past Sunday, my account was mysteriously deleted. After haggling with GR customer support for the last three days, I’ve been told the account cannot be retrieved. So, after four years, I’m starting all over again. I’d love it if you all have time for you to friend me again. You can find me at https://goodreads.com/BookBelle01
21 Wednesday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
Dragons, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, John Lennon, Supernatural tv series, Whimsical Wednesday
I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?
~ John Lennon ~
19 Monday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
Thanks to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
464 Pages
Synopsis: When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.
Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—-art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—-Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fears come true—-the solstice does not go according to plan and she’s left without a patron.
Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevna—-the arch rival kingdom ov Valenia—-and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—-some closer to Brienna than she realizes.
With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—-passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?
I must confess that I was originally attracted to The Queen’s Rising because of the gorgeous cover. But the premise also had me excited as well. Although I finished it in three days, I wound up being disappointed.
I liked Brienna but there’s nothing about her that makes her stand out except for the mystery surrounding the identity of her father who has been kept hidden from her. However, that mystery is spoiled by the family tree that’s displayed at the beginning of the book. While it’s handy, it spoils several reveals. She also struggles with her mixed race heritage which adds a little more depth. And she has a dog, Nessie, who I loved. Otherwise, she’s your typical feisty, loyal, courageous, etc. fantasy heroine. I loved the sisterhood that was predominantly displayed between the the girls studying at Magnalia House.
There’s not much in the way of romance, but the developing relationship between Brienna and Master Cartier made me uncomfortable. Given that he’s been one of her professors since she was ten-years-old, even though she’s of age when things turn more romantic, the whole thing just made me squirm. It’s something that continually bothered me and I was unable to let it go.
The world-building is very descriptive and reminded me somewhat of 16th century Scotland. I thought the the author’s writing style to be quite lovely. The pace was a little slow in parts, but it it never devolved into tediousness. Although this is being billed as a trilogy, the ending perfectly wraps everything up so it could actually work as a standalone.
In the end, The Queen’s Rising left me with mixed feelings. I saw flashes of brilliance, but they just never really panned out. That coupled with the off putting relationship between Brienna and Master Cartier, has me thinking I probably won’t be continuing with this trilogy. The book has received many positive reviews though, so if the premise intrigues you, please don’t let me put you off. If you do decide to try it though, DON’T READ THE FAMILY TREE! I would have enjoyed the story a little more if I had waited until the end of the book.
17 Saturday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inCameron Kasky is a 17-year-old junior who along with his younger brother, Holden, thankfully survived the school shooting that took place last Wednesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. This is a commentary he shared with CNN the day after. When I read it—-well—-I was left rather stunned and I’d like to share his words with all of you.
I thought it was going to be a wonderful day. My high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was full of cheerful students—-many of whom were celebrating Valentine’s Day with one another. Even those who didn’t have a Valentine seemed like they could find reasons to smile.
But then, of course, everything changed. Toward the end of the day, I went to pick up my little brother Holden from the special needs classroom. As we exited the school, the fire alarm went off. And as we retreated to the parking lot, per fire drill procedure, we were told to run back inside.
It was very confusing, especially since I was surrounded by special needs students. But the truth is, nobody really knew what was going on. We huddled in a room, listening to terrifying noises we couldn’t identify, and spent an hour plagued by uncontrolled anxiety…waiting for answers. Waiting for somebody to either come in and shoot us or come in and tell us everything was going to be OK.
Eventually, the SWAT team came in and did an excellent job taking care of the students with disabilities. We were then escorted to our evacuation location and, after hours of confusion and terror, my brother and I made it home.
Though we made it home, 17 people didn’t. Those 17 people were murdered on the grounds of a school that has always felt like the safest place to be in a town that’s been called the safest town in Florida.
We can’t ignore the issues of gun control that this tragedy raises. And so, I’m asking—-no, demanding—-we take action now.
Why? Because at the end of the day, the students at my school felt one shared experience—-our politicians abandoned us by failing to keep guns out of schools.
But this time, my classmates and I are going to hold them to account. This time we’re going to pressure them to take action. This time we’re going to force them to spend more energy protecting human lives than unborn fetuses.
One of the most frustrating arguments I heard is that it wasn’t the Republican Party that killed those people and it wasn’t the National Rifle Association—-it was the shooter himself. I understand where they are coming from. I do not believe this was a direct attack from the Republicans or their close allies at the NRA.
However, the shooter is not the only one responsible for this tragedy. While the alleged shooter may have had several issues, he also lived in a society where Sen. Marco Rubio refuses to take responsibility for the role gun culture may have played in this tragedy.
And there is no denying that the NRA continues to donate millions of dollars to politicians at every level of government. Then those politicians—-often “family values” conservatives—-rile up their base by making them think that “liberals” are going to take their guns away. Not knowing any better, some of these people stockpile guns in advance of a gun ban that never comes, and the gun manufacturers and the NRA make millions.
But the truth is that politicians on both sides of the aisle are to blame. The Republicans, generally speaking, take large donations from the NRA and are therefore beholden to their cruel agenda. And the Democrats lack the organization and the votes to do anything about it.
I’m just a high school student, and I do not pretend to have all the answers. However, even in my position, I can see that there is a desperate need for change—-change that starts by folks showing up to the polls and voting all those individuals who are in the back pockets of the gun lobbyists out of office.
Please do it for me. Do it for my fellow classmates. We can’t vote, but you can, so make it count.
If you’re interested, Emma Gonzalez, a senior who also survived the massacre, made a passionate speech today at a gun control rally attended by thousands, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You can find the transcript here:
https://cnn.com/2018/02/17/us/florida-student-emma-gonzalez-speech/index.html
Also today, it was business as usual as hundreds of gun enthusiasts gathered at the fairgrounds in Miami (which is within driving distance of Parkland) for a major gun show. Among the guns being sold there, were the always in demand AR-15s.
16 Friday Feb 2018
Posted Uncategorized
inTags
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
344 Pages
Synopsis:
His wife is sick.
He needs $200,000 to save her
A mysterious man offers to give him the money with just one catch: He has to murder someone to get it.
Gary Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, his wife, Beth, is pregnant, and he recently opened a business with his brother. But one phone call changes everything…
After collapsing suddenly, Beth has been rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumor. Their only hope is an expensive experimental treatment available abroad, with a cost that’s out of their reach. And Beth’s time is running out…
Then a strange man approaches Gary and offers the money he needs, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End one life to save another.
In this nail-biting debut novel of domestic suspense, one man makes a choice that forces him to confront the darkest reaches of his soul and betray those closest to him. As he’s swept up into a nightmare of escalating violence, he must question his own morality—-and determine just how far he’s willing to go to save the woman he loves.
I love books that forces a main character into a moral quandary. And no, it’s not because I’m sadistic! Okay. Maybe I am…a little. Seriously, I like to put myself in that person’s shoes and mull over what I would do in their situation. Killer Choice poses such a question, and it kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the entire story.
Gary is a realistic Mr. Nice Guy. He’s running an outdoor apparel store with his younger brother who he’s extremely close with. He adores his wife Beth and is devastated when just as they’re finally realizing their dream of having a child, Beth is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. But there’s hope in an experimental treatment overseas if they can come up with $200,000. Despite friends, family and fundraisers, they’re nowhere near the amount they need. And then Otto strolls into Gary’s life holding out hope.
What would you do to save the life of the person you love most in the world? Would you be willing to kill someone? To sweeten the pot, what if the target was a villain in every sense of the word, who had ruined other’s lives. Would that make a difference?
There’s a couple of things that grabbed my attention. First, the beginning of the story although a little slow, focuses on Gary’s and Beth’s increasingly frantic fundraising efforts. With the assistance of their friends and family, they put their story out on internet fundraising sites, hold hot dog fundraisers, and do interviews with the media. But despite their best efforts they don’t even make it to the halfway mark of their goal. So, when Otto approaches Gary with his offer, Gary is absolutely desperate and primed to do something, well, stupid. This makes his naïveté and serious lack of judgement, for the most part, understandable.
I also liked that Otto’s story was told and his life as a sketchy pawnbroker/drug dealer involved with some even nastier characters than himself, was almost as compelling as Gary’s. He’s in a desperate situation as well, which leads him to concoct this crazy plan. The dichotomy between these two men’s lives couldn’t be more stark. Under just about any other circumstances their paths never would have crossed, but because of Beth’s illness they do, and their actions result in horrible repercussions that drag in people who Gary also loves.
While the story is a little slow setting everything up, once Gary’s peaceful middle-class and Otto’s violent, criminal worlds collide, the pace is frenetic and I couldn’t put the book down. The ending is realistic and a little open-ended which made me wonder what the future would hold for Gary and Beth.
Despite the slightly slow beginning and a few implausible scenes, Killer Choice is a fun thrill ride of a debut, that reminded me a little of one of my favorite authors, Harlan Coben. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Tom Hunt comes up with next.
Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry
Understanding the psychology that drives our politics
Because paradise is a library
Memories of a Senior citizen
The Journey Home
a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts
Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author
the confessions of a random blogger
Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!
all things bookish!!
My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.
Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm
As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host
a book blog
"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends
Jane's Lens
Book Blog
"Books wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Book Reviews with Bianca
Moments cherished, memories kept, dreams fulfilled and little things that make everyday a blessing.
Leon Stevens is a poet, science fiction author, and composer. Writing updates, humorous blogs, music, and poetry.
My journey as a dog mom and book worm...
Living the dream one page at a time
Reviewing enchanting reads and discussing all things bookish
Book reviews and more by Michael David
All Food, All The Time...Because "Everyone Eats!"
READER - WRITER - CURATED RESOURCES - & MORE
Writer
The jumbled musings of Tallis Steelyard
Books and Stuff
Eclectic Mix Book Blog
Opinion Is The Medium Between Knowledge And Igonrance
Book Reviews
Writing & Coffee. Especially coffee.
Forever lost in literature
Documenting the inspiration I find, Between Pages
rambling book reviews and queer SFF writing
To the Self within Personality
Writing Magic, Myth and Mystery
If you love mythology? You'll love this series. The UnHoly Pursuit Saga and related series. Paranormal romance, demons, saints, angels, Azazael, witches, warlords, fiction, fantasy, antichrist, harassment, devils, hell, spirituality!,
Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry
Understanding the psychology that drives our politics
Because paradise is a library
Memories of a Senior citizen
The Journey Home
a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts
Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author
the confessions of a random blogger
Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!
all things bookish!!
My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.
Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm
As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host
a book blog
"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends
Jane's Lens
You must be logged in to post a comment.