I liked this one better than the first one a bit. I liked seeing a more human side to Penny. She is still naive, but at least she does better in this I liked this one better than the first one a bit. I liked seeing a more human side to Penny. She is still naive, but at least she does better in this one. This one hit home way to hard with the grandmother and Shannon. I don't want to say why but I had a really hard time reading about their relationship for personal reasons. I liked the human connections Penny makes, along with the budding likely relationship with someone. Something tells me they have a long road ahead though....more
3.5 STARS is more accurate. I enjoyed it, but it never fully grabbed my undivided attention. It got better as it goes along. I like how the author hit3.5 STARS is more accurate. I enjoyed it, but it never fully grabbed my undivided attention. It got better as it goes along. I like how the author hits on Jerry's wheelchair use and how not every disability is the same. This was a nice touch. Her character is still strong and independent and I adore her. Paul is my favorite character though. No surprise there. It really takes a long time to get the the mystery of the story, let alone the magic/paranormal aspects (excluding Paul). Cute lessons, not so smart adults and a girl who is mostly confident in herself as long as she doesn't connect to other youth. ...more
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. A lighthearted, funny read perhaps? In the end I got what I thought it might be and so much more but it I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. A lighthearted, funny read perhaps? In the end I got what I thought it might be and so much more but it took some turns to get it there. Right off, I liked the writing style, but disliked Wallace so intensely. He made the book feel dry yet I saw and felt the humorous potential. It had me questioning my reading taste in trying this but I keep reading. Glad I did. The humor does warm up. The sweet bonds created amongst characters was more than I expected. I had no idea to expect a romance to come from this but that too was so sweet. I didn't even see it at first but once I did, I quickly found myself routing for them. Mei and Nelson rivaled as my favorite characters. But keep Mei away from the kitchen knives! I definitely look forward to reading more by TJ Klune in the future!...more
Overall I enjoyed this. It is easy to worry about Ember and her sister. I despise how thesMixed thoughts. 3.5 stars.
Warning: Mild spoiler hints ahead.
Overall I enjoyed this. It is easy to worry about Ember and her sister. I despise how these people treated her, spied on her, hid things from her, lied to her. My heart broke about her best friend. Cromwell has serious control issues!
I didn't get the romance at all. It was more bland than plain porridge. The ending felt like too much was missing. This needs a sequel about her father, the Facility, and how she will move forward (or not) in this new life. I felt her sister was all but forgotten in light of her new relationship in the last half of the book....more
A must for any fans of 'The Turn of the Screw." A curious investigation into the story, mixed with Eqyptian beliefs and some magic from a modern casteA must for any fans of 'The Turn of the Screw." A curious investigation into the story, mixed with Eqyptian beliefs and some magic from a modern caster and this might be a look behind the mysterious curtain that protects Bly Manor. I applaud Kelsey Ketch on the details of research she puts into her books! It brings an interesting level of realism to this ghost story. And has me curious to do some studying myself. My favorite character was the cat, Litten. Loved that guy with his protective nature, playful spirit and AMAZING training results! A few things were a bit obvious earlier on but the way the story unfolds kept me glued to the story. The dream sequences in particular caught my attention. In addition to a good story, perfect for this time of year, I also got some new tea mixes I will have to try. I am always looking for new blends, and this book tosses a few out there. Another great book by Kelsey Ketch! You always know how to captivate an audience!...more
And the worst book of my year so far goes to...this. Ugh. Right from the start, I was confused and frustrated. The random POVs made no sense. I kept wAnd the worst book of my year so far goes to...this. Ugh. Right from the start, I was confused and frustrated. The random POVs made no sense. I kept wondering if Mira was Miranda, or if the house had a pov. Utter chaos. And so dry... It finally eases into a bit more of a story but it is often confusing. Like a badly explained dream. I struggled relating to the characters. And that ending, with all its questions!! Not a book for me. I so badly wanted to dnf this but pushed through because it was short. Why do I do this to myself?! ...more
I rather enjoyed this one. It some ways more and in others, a bit less. So 3.5 stars I first fell in love with the cover. Yep, I'll admit it, this wasI rather enjoyed this one. It some ways more and in others, a bit less. So 3.5 stars I first fell in love with the cover. Yep, I'll admit it, this was a rare, mostly cover sell. I did like the premise as well. The romance is mostly light but instant on all accounts. Like, WHY do these people like or even obsess over one another. Yes, it is a twisted love/obsession circle. Overall I really liked the main character, Li Lan. And I adored her Amah! I wanted more back and forth with the afterlife. Like, it wasn't that many nights of the yo-yo effect of that that I expected. I wanted more of the terror mentioned, a bit of whimsy with the delight I was told to expect. But it wasn't that. What I did like was the lore behind the beliefs. The lifestyle of Li Lan and her family. How her beliefs took shape in the afterlife. How the living burn things for the deceased, and more. The very culture fascinates me! Worth reading? Yes! Will I ever re-read this: Bit doubtful but still a possibility of re-read value to it. ...more
This could have been good. It had potential. An interesting premise played on Hawaiian legend. And that has some truth to it based on what little I loThis could have been good. It had potential. An interesting premise played on Hawaiian legend. And that has some truth to it based on what little I looked up. I liked the history of cultures and characters.
What killed this for me was the lack of editing and revising. Several basic and glaring errors, way too much filler and an insane amount of redundancy. Especially in the first half of the book. Sentences repeated themselves within the same paragraph. At first I thought it was me, but nope. 1 word difference. And how many times can you use the word fervently within a single page?! I thought I could ramble about nothing but not like this. I feel like this was never even read through once written. Maybe a basic word check for spelling but it needed help. The first 45% if the book could have been done in 60-80 pages. This whole thing could have been done in under 200. And I would have been fine with that! What I don't like is all the extra. It made this boring and drawn out.
Then we finally get somewhere in the second half (seriously you can skip the first 40% and not miss much at all) and it picks up and gets to what the premise of the book is all about. And we get an unnecessary love triangle. I have no problem with these in books but the slow romance from one guy to electric touch with another just didn't work. And both guys were "too perfect" in their own ways. Especially Tristan. Cookie cutout perfect gentlemen... While I liked them if just felt fake.
Now to get any resolution to the story I have to read the sequel which is half the length of this one. Seriously, cut the extra and put it together into 1 book and it would have been good. This could have been easily 3 stars, maybe 4 if just a little more time have been spent editing and revising....more
A surprise favorite. A woman in her fifties is starting to feel her age. It doesn't help when your husband is a plastic surgeon who is sleeping aroundA surprise favorite. A woman in her fifties is starting to feel her age. It doesn't help when your husband is a plastic surgeon who is sleeping around with other women. I felt a bit bad for her. But then again, she still choose her life, friends and lack of career so my empathy is minimal. Yet how she views detachment and how she wants more in life is interesting. ...more
Not a fan of the MC. Bit naive and self-centered. And then to go around all "I am a Good Witch. I am a vegetarian." You are also materialistic and selNot a fan of the MC. Bit naive and self-centered. And then to go around all "I am a Good Witch. I am a vegetarian." You are also materialistic and selfish while internally complaining and stingy vampires. HAH! The irony! She deserved what she got. Not sure the vamp did though... But I must be honest, I wanted to know what happens next. This deserved more at the same time....more
I really liked these characters. Especially Sebastian. A vampire who feels cursed in a whole new way that I've never thought of before. And a new way I really liked these characters. Especially Sebastian. A vampire who feels cursed in a whole new way that I've never thought of before. And a new way of turning. Quite interesting. This story made me shiver. Quite toe cold read and is a perfect winter read for late night by the fireplace I think. Too bad that wasn't my reading case. I'll be looking for more by this author for sure! ...more
A very unique take on vampires. One I greatly enjoyed. With just the right hint of Jekyll and Hyde that make things difficult for her victims/co-prisoA very unique take on vampires. One I greatly enjoyed. With just the right hint of Jekyll and Hyde that make things difficult for her victims/co-prisoners to understand her. I liked the bit of romance that was in this. It wasn't too far over the top. Although the attraction was a bit too strong early on. The one thing I couldn't really relate to was why non of the donors with her never question her about the personality difference. Or why she tries to pretend to be her accursed freeloader (you'll understand that once you read this).
Overall recommended for anyone who likes a bit of history, victorian mansions, island living or wants a very original vampire story....more
Too corny for my taste. Carl(Charleton) seems like an airhead on one page, a decent guy the next, and then self-centered 2 pages later. I get that he Too corny for my taste. Carl(Charleton) seems like an airhead on one page, a decent guy the next, and then self-centered 2 pages later. I get that he is a teen but this is a short story that takes places over a very short time span. He seemed half erratic! Also way too predictable and the ne dhad me rolling my eyes. I had hoped the middle of the story showed potential but I really did find the end to be bad....more
Well written but a bit of a grossed out factor hits me in this one. I felt a bit bad for the mother in the end and the boyfriend... How did this wholeWell written but a bit of a grossed out factor hits me in this one. I felt a bit bad for the mother in the end and the boyfriend... How did this whole transference her mother did occur? It wasn't well explained. I just counldn't visualize a lot of this. Just the woods itself. Nothing more. Donika seemed alright at first but I didn't get the instant 180 she does. This needed to all be fleshed out more then I think it could have been quite good....more
Loading...
