Book one of the Garden Series.
Used bookstore find. Shortly after I finished the Dreamers series. My aunt thinks this is one of her best series to date. I think I'll have to finish the series to find out.
As with many authors, I'm seeing parallels when it comes to the characters in this series and previous characters I've encountered with Nora Roberts. You have one that has grown up wealthy. One that has had a tragedy and is being taken in by the wealthy. And one underprivileged woman also being taken in by the wealthy.
I kind of thought it was predictable but in a way that works. And she has the next book with Roz set up pretty well.
I found it incredibly amusing that Stella is incredibly organized and put together, whereas Logan thrives on chaos. A typical opposites attract scenario.
I must say that I'll be tuning in to later books in the series. More to find out about Amelia than of Roz's affairs with Dr. Carnegie.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Stroke of Midnight, Laurell K. Hamilton
I was left with a feeling of wanting more after reading Seduced by Moonlight. I wanted the question of Merry's mortality. Which, I got no answers for. Although what develops out of this book is a portrayal of her new and ever growing powers.
What starts as the main theme of the book, a double homicide including a brownie and a human inside the slithen, becomes almost obsolete by the end. The homicide was reminiscent of old school Anita Blake with Merry attempting to solve the murder. But Andais ends up with the culprit after torturing him. We do not as the reader discover how Andais knows what noble to torture. We don't learn of all the events that went on after Merry passed out up until she wakes up in the Queen's bed. The only thing we gain from this crime is we learn that faery was so weakened by Taranis' and Andais' individual rulings that it did not even take cold iron to a fey's heart to kill them, and this fact is almost stated as an afterthought in the last few pages of the book.
Although it only lasted for a few pages, I was incredibly dismayed when I had thought that Galen had died. Though I am not rooting for Galen for kingship, I love his character.
This book did not hold up to what is classically Laurell. The ending is typically the icing on the cake. And you have to struggle through the middle sections of the book. This however had a great build up in the middle and trickled off with no killer ending, just the scene with Onilwyn stating a fact we had already learned in the beginning of the book.
All in all, I think this is one of those books in the middle of series that we must endear in order to press on into the good stuff.
What starts as the main theme of the book, a double homicide including a brownie and a human inside the slithen, becomes almost obsolete by the end. The homicide was reminiscent of old school Anita Blake with Merry attempting to solve the murder. But Andais ends up with the culprit after torturing him. We do not as the reader discover how Andais knows what noble to torture. We don't learn of all the events that went on after Merry passed out up until she wakes up in the Queen's bed. The only thing we gain from this crime is we learn that faery was so weakened by Taranis' and Andais' individual rulings that it did not even take cold iron to a fey's heart to kill them, and this fact is almost stated as an afterthought in the last few pages of the book.
Although it only lasted for a few pages, I was incredibly dismayed when I had thought that Galen had died. Though I am not rooting for Galen for kingship, I love his character.
This book did not hold up to what is classically Laurell. The ending is typically the icing on the cake. And you have to struggle through the middle sections of the book. This however had a great build up in the middle and trickled off with no killer ending, just the scene with Onilwyn stating a fact we had already learned in the beginning of the book.
All in all, I think this is one of those books in the middle of series that we must endear in order to press on into the good stuff.
Much Ado in Maggody, Joan Hess
I think I laughed my way through this entire book. Although that is not abnormal for Maggody.
In the small southern town of Maggody, we have a Woman's Rights epidemic. After Johnna Mae gets fired from the bank for, unbeknown to the reader, skimming money from the bank. What I found particuarly amusing was that all three employees at the local branch were taking money.
Though, the mildly disterbing part was Miss Una. The sweet little old lady at the bank (skimming money) who ends up being this installment's crazy person. Kidnapping Kevin, feeding him sweets to keep him content no less, for being in the bank when she set fire to it. And she lit her house on fire to boot, c.r.a.z.y.
All in all, I enjoyed this Maggody as much as I have in the past. two thumbs up.
In the small southern town of Maggody, we have a Woman's Rights epidemic. After Johnna Mae gets fired from the bank for, unbeknown to the reader, skimming money from the bank. What I found particuarly amusing was that all three employees at the local branch were taking money.
Though, the mildly disterbing part was Miss Una. The sweet little old lady at the bank (skimming money) who ends up being this installment's crazy person. Kidnapping Kevin, feeding him sweets to keep him content no less, for being in the bank when she set fire to it. And she lit her house on fire to boot, c.r.a.z.y.
All in all, I enjoyed this Maggody as much as I have in the past. two thumbs up.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie
The book came recommended by my aunt. As well as my knowledge that Jennifer Crusie is a fairly popular author. However, I can't say that I was all that impressed overall. Although I did think that the two Bradley's were one person, I thought the book was overall, really predictable.
I think perhaps Lucy's character is a little meek for my taste, but I love that she actually has conversations with her dogs. And of all the things Bradley had given her, the best gift she had ever gotten was the stray from Zach. Her sister Tina and the "don't-fuck-with-my-sister" attitude is probably my favorite character in this book.
I don't feel I have much to say because the characters were about the only thing Getting Rid of Bradley had going for it.
I think perhaps Lucy's character is a little meek for my taste, but I love that she actually has conversations with her dogs. And of all the things Bradley had given her, the best gift she had ever gotten was the stray from Zach. Her sister Tina and the "don't-fuck-with-my-sister" attitude is probably my favorite character in this book.
I don't feel I have much to say because the characters were about the only thing Getting Rid of Bradley had going for it.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Die Trying, Lee Child
Reacher novel. And of course... our wandering ex Military Police man of mystery is wandering, minding his own business when he helps a woman out of the door of a dry cleaners because she is juggling the clothes and a cane due to a recent injury. Unfortunately, once again our tumbleweed is in the wrong place at the wrong time and she is destined to be kidnapped. Reacher, of course, gets kidnapped with her. Now that we have the story set up...
I decided that Child has an amazing knack for action scenes. When I was a pump my adrenaline action scenes multiple times in one book... I'm going to grab Reacher. He's like you're basic, I can do anything Rambo type of character. hotness. :D
I did figure that at some point that Reacher and Holly would hook up. On top of being an irresistable stud muffin that can get any girl's heart pumping, he seems to be a bit of a whore... he sleeps with all his damsels.
I thought that the story was interesting though. I've had previous experience with books who incorporate government conspiracy groups in the stories (i.e. Soul Catcher, Kava) but never one that was attempting to declare it's own independence from the U.S. with such a blatantly insane leader.
The book get's one and half thumbs up and I'll admit, I'll stay tuned for now.
I decided that Child has an amazing knack for action scenes. When I was a pump my adrenaline action scenes multiple times in one book... I'm going to grab Reacher. He's like you're basic, I can do anything Rambo type of character. hotness. :D
I did figure that at some point that Reacher and Holly would hook up. On top of being an irresistable stud muffin that can get any girl's heart pumping, he seems to be a bit of a whore... he sleeps with all his damsels.
I thought that the story was interesting though. I've had previous experience with books who incorporate government conspiracy groups in the stories (i.e. Soul Catcher, Kava) but never one that was attempting to declare it's own independence from the U.S. with such a blatantly insane leader.
The book get's one and half thumbs up and I'll admit, I'll stay tuned for now.
Wake, Lisa McMann
I got this because they had an entire section at Borders for "if you liked Twilight...you may also like..." while there was still Twilight movie madness going on. With New Moon coming out, there is probably another similar rack there. Anyway, I found this book. the subtitle states that, "your dreams are not your own" ... plus I liked the cover.
I started this the day I finished I, Mona Lisa and finished it the next morning. Granted it's not that long, 210 pages. And it's a young adult book so the actual text is almost double spaced and larger than a regular novel as they can sometimes be. But I genuinely liked the story. I had never read anything where your heroine could partake in the dreams of others around her.
I think her romance with Cabel is cute and how they help one another with their insecurities. Though I think her friend Carrie is a bit of a twit though.
I have to admit that I plan on staying tuned with Fade. I can't wait to see what Ms. Stubbin's part in this whole thing is... in-treguing.
I started this the day I finished I, Mona Lisa and finished it the next morning. Granted it's not that long, 210 pages. And it's a young adult book so the actual text is almost double spaced and larger than a regular novel as they can sometimes be. But I genuinely liked the story. I had never read anything where your heroine could partake in the dreams of others around her.
I think her romance with Cabel is cute and how they help one another with their insecurities. Though I think her friend Carrie is a bit of a twit though.
I have to admit that I plan on staying tuned with Fade. I can't wait to see what Ms. Stubbin's part in this whole thing is... in-treguing.
I, Mona Lisa, Jeanne Kalogridis
Okay, so the art historian in me couldn't resist the title. And I couldn't resist the description either. Leonardo, the Medici and a romance between the young Guiliano and Mona Lisa? I prepared myself for disappointment, it was too good to be true.
I'll admit, I put this book aside... for whatever reason. But when I picked it up again to read on the way home from vacation (a little behind, I'll admit) I decided to just start it all over because I had no clue what was going on where I was.
I was not all together disappointed, I actually liked the story. But it was a little predictable in many areas. I figured that her mother had an affair with Lorenzo's brother Guiliano. I predicted that in the city's uprising that Lisa's Guiliano did not die that he was actually in hiding and that Lisa was tricked. I began to suspect that her father was involved with Lisa's second husband and Sarvonarola but only a couple chapters before it was revealed.
Overall, if you don't mind a historical novel with a fair amount of art reference, this is a good choice. I would advise some knowledge of Italian Renaissance period art and history because I counted myself lucky for already knowing a good deal about the Medici.
I'll admit, I put this book aside... for whatever reason. But when I picked it up again to read on the way home from vacation (a little behind, I'll admit) I decided to just start it all over because I had no clue what was going on where I was.
I was not all together disappointed, I actually liked the story. But it was a little predictable in many areas. I figured that her mother had an affair with Lorenzo's brother Guiliano. I predicted that in the city's uprising that Lisa's Guiliano did not die that he was actually in hiding and that Lisa was tricked. I began to suspect that her father was involved with Lisa's second husband and Sarvonarola but only a couple chapters before it was revealed.
Overall, if you don't mind a historical novel with a fair amount of art reference, this is a good choice. I would advise some knowledge of Italian Renaissance period art and history because I counted myself lucky for already knowing a good deal about the Medici.
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