tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49485097523992059762024-03-13T05:28:54.796-07:00Fabulous ReadsSince there are so many marvelous authors out there writing fabulous works we reserve the right to only review on this website books that we like, adore, love or is fabulous. If we do not review a book then we either do not know about it, haven't read it, or don't like it. If you don't see a book listed that you want to know about feel free to email us to see if we have taken the opportunity to get to know it better.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.comBlogger468125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-2136350881219457922017-05-17T19:19:00.000-07:002017-05-17T19:19:57.114-07:00Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon<img alt="6696602" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442250235l/6696602.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Infinity (Chronicles of Nick #1)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Sherrilyn Kenyon<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen Pellett<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Young Adult (a bit of every genre)<br />
<b>Rating</b>:Love <br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Moderate Swearing, Moderate Violence<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Streetwise, tough, and savvy, Nick and his quick sarcasm are the stuff
of legend... until the night when his best friends try to kill him.
Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the
Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save
humanity. With his fellow students turning into flesh-eating zombies,
how can he stop them... without getting grounded by his mom?" (King County Library System) <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: Oh my goodness gracious me!!!!! Greek gods meet fantasy & sci-fi, where Zombies meet Werewolves and Demons everything else under the sun. I have several friends who are huge fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon, but I hadn't had the chance to read anything yet. Then I met Ms. Kenyon while working at a booth where she was signing at FanX in Salt Lake a few months ago. Let me tell you, she is beautiful inside and out. I had thought Ms. Kenyon wrote romance with a fantasy twist. Granted, this is the only book of hers I've read so far, but I now know why there was an even mix of men and women waiting in line, eager to meet their favorite author.<br />
<br />
All I have to gauge is by this book and my opinion is that Ms. Sherrilyn Kenyon does a briliant job of writing to all genders in a genre mash-up for the ages. The characters were multi-dimensional, creative, and fascinating. I especially recommend listening to the audio version of the book where the narrator does an exquisite job of covering many many voices. Nick by far is a favorite of mine (which is good because he is the main point of view character), but Simi and Bubba are close seconds. But what really makes the book for me is the voice. Some books read very vanilla to me even if the plot is engaging. But the author's voice and her knowledge and love for all things Southern shines through in glorious fashion. The voice is utterly undeniable and is what makes the story come a live. The voice is what makes a cast of so many varied characters and backgrounds meld so perfectly together.<br />
<br />
Note: The only reason I could not give this book the rating of Fabulous is because of the level of violence and language. So I recommend that parents read the book first to gauge better if your children our ready for this read. Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-12295456751897971152017-05-17T18:53:00.002-07:002017-05-17T18:57:03.383-07:00Fridays with the Wizards by Jessica Day GeorgeTo read my reviews of the other books in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesdays-at-castle-by-jessica-day.html" target="_blank">Tuesdays at the Castle</a>, <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/04/wednesdays-in-tower-by-jessica-day.html" target="_blank">Wednesdays in the Tower</a>, and Thursdays with the Crown (pending).<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="25094569" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442605766l/25094569.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:Fridays with the Wizards (Castle Glower #4)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Jessica Day George<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: MG Fantasy<br />
<b>Rating</b>:Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: None<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Princess Celie and her companions have made it home safely from the
Glorious Arkower, and everything is back to normal now that the Eye of
the Castle is where it belongs. With more magical griffins to care for,
Celie, Lilah, and Rolf have their hands full. But when the dangerous
ancient wizard Arkwright escapes the dungeon and goes missing within the
Castle, no one can rest until he is found. Only Celie knows where he is
most likely hiding--deep within the secret passageways behind the walls
of their beloved Castle. With danger lurking behind every tapestry and
under every trap door, Celie must find the wizard and save her family.
Readers will be swept away by another charming magical adventure
featuring Princess Celie and her very special Castle" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I cannot believe that I didn't post a review of book three in this series. Seriously going to smack myself in the noggin'. Oh well, guess I'll just have to reread <i>Thursdays With the Crown </i>to be able to ensure the most accurate review for you. (Darn!)<br />
<br />
Moving on....Jessica Day George just gets better with each book she releases. I mean these are middle grade books and yet my husband and I can't wait to read them together after the kids go to bed. (Though we secretly wonder if Jessica keeps blueprints in her office to Castle Glower because she knows exactly where everything is located and where everyone needs to be. I love it.). It impresses me that Celie is able to manage so many changes within her family and home, and the addition of the griffins, etc. Yes, she does have the occasional meltdown, but she is one smart & resilient young lady. I kinda want to be her when I grow up. I loved seeing a greater involvement from the queen in this story and finding out more history and realizing that she has seriously cool hidden skills. Overall this book is a fantastic addition to the Castle Glower series and a great read for boys, girls, teens, and especially their parents. ;-)Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-19597843363057174382017-03-20T19:43:00.002-07:002017-03-20T19:43:37.327-07:00I've Got Sand in All The Wrong Places by Lisa Scottoline & Francesca Serritella<img alt="26114256" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444772540l/26114256.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<strong>Title</strong>:
I've Got Sand in All The Wrong Places<br />
<strong>Author</strong>:
Lisa Scottoline & Francesca Serritella<br />
<strong>Reviewer</strong>:
Karen<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>:
Non-Fiction Humorist<br />
<strong>Rating</strong>:
Fabulous<br />
<strong>Alerts/Warnings</strong>: Mild Language
<br />
<strong>Premise</strong>:
"<span id="freeText8165028975106758210">Lisa and Francesca are back with another collection of warm and witty stories that will strike a chord with every woman. This six book series is among the best reviewed humor books published today and has been compared to the late greats, Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron. Delia Ephron said of the fifth book in the series, <i>Have a Nice Guilt Trip</i>, "Lisa and Francesca, mother and daughter, bring you the laughter of their lives once again and better than ever. You will identify with these tales of guilt and fall in love with them and fierce (grand) Mother Mary." This seventh volume will not disappoint as it hits the humorous and poignant note that fans have come to expect from the beloved mother-daughter duo" (goodreads.com)</span><br />
<strong>Opinions</strong>: Apparently I am late to the game on this dynamic mother/daughter writing duo<em>. I've Got Sand in all the Wrong Places</em> is the sixth book in the series, but the first one I've read/listened to. My husband and I listened enamored as we escaped our kids for our 15th anniversary for our first ever stay-cation (I know, we live life large). Their humorous take on events in their lives was brilliant, realistic, and hilarious. They didn't sugarcoat the rough parts, but tugged at our heart strings as they were honest about trials, muggings, their opinions on Spanx, Francesca losing her mother in the streets of New York, EXes, and so much more. We were both laughing, shaking our heads, and even teared up at several tender moments. And the quality of their writing was flushed with anecdotes, hidden gems, and beautiful flow. I especially recommend getting the audio version of their books, as the authors read their own work, which adds a brilliant Italian-American flare to their story that might have been missing otherwise. Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-54326569919780289582017-03-20T19:24:00.001-07:002017-03-20T19:24:35.527-07:00Legion by Brandon Sanderson<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13452375-legion"><img alt="Legion (Legion, #1)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338512017l/13452375.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong>Title</strong>:
Legion<br />
<strong>Author</strong>:
Brandon Sanderson<br />
<strong>Reviewer</strong>:
Karen<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>:
Adult Fiction<br />
<strong>Rating</strong>:
LOVE<br />
<strong>Alerts/Warnings</strong>:
Moderate Violence, Mild Language<br />
<strong>Premise</strong>:
"Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his 'aspects' are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society"--From publisher description. <br />
<strong>Opinions</strong>: This short story is stinkin' BRILLIANT!!!!! Stephen Leeds may suffer from a variety of mental conditions, but he owns it, and lets it become his strength. The creativity of having arguments with your own hallucinations, as well as ensuring they have their own rooms in your mansion is outstanding. Throw in the feel of Sherlock Holmes, an international thriller/mystery, and assassins, and talk about mind flip. Legion is Brandon Sanderson at his best. The humor and creative are outstanding. I only gave this a love rating instead of fabulous due to the content that might be too much for some teen readers. As such, I recommend parents read this story first, then be open to a discussion with their kids.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-9975179149429679902016-07-05T10:30:00.000-07:002016-07-05T10:30:38.390-07:00Cress by Marissa MeyerTo read my reviews of other books in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/07/cinder-by-marissa-meyer.html" target="_blank">Cinder </a>and <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2016/05/scarlet-by-marissa-meyer.html" target="_blank">Scarlet</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="13206828" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1460846301l/13206828.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Marissa Meyer<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Dystopian/Steam Punk/Fairytale Retelling/Sci-Fi<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Moderate Violence<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and
Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and
prevent her army from invading Earth. Their best hope lies with Cress, a
girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her
netscreens as company" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: Brilliant. Absolutely stinkin' brilliant. The end.Okay, well not exactly the end. I mean the series isn't finished after all. Once again I listened to this on CD while on a long drive to visit family in St. George. Just ask my husband. I was laughing out loud. I was yelling at the car stereo. And I hated to stop for gas because I'd have to pause the story.<br />
<br />
In this third installment of the Lunar Chronicles series we are treated to the retelling of Rapunzel in the form of Crescent Moon (a.k.a. Cress) who is a shell--a lunar without bio-electrical manipulation abilities. And yet, Cress is my favorite character by far. In fact this whole book is my favorite of the series (which is saying a lot). She is spunky. She is naive. She is brilliant. She is funny. And she is out to help Cinder save the universe, if only she could ever leave the satellite that Mistress Cybil (the lunar queen's right-hand woman) has confined her to for the last seven years.<br />
<br />
The way that Marissa Meyers interweaves these fairy-tale re-tellings in a new and creative light is brilliant. She ties the characters together with plot twists and character arcs that leave the mind whirling, but she's laid the foundation so smoothly that I buy it. I am SO loving being on this crazy journey with the whole menagerie of twistedly awesome characters that I cannot wait to listen/read the next book, <i>Winter. </i>I seriously would tell you more about what I love about <i>Cress</i>, but as River Song (insert Doctor Who reference) would say---SPOILERS!!!!Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-91039791116223787052016-07-03T10:25:00.000-07:002016-07-03T10:25:04.144-07:00Numbers Ignite by Rebecca RodeTo read my review of the first book in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2015/03/numbers-game-by-rebecca-rode.html" target="_blank">Numbers Games</a>.<br />
<br />
<img alt="27187946" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447263539l/27187946.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Numbers Ignite (Numbers Game #2)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Rebecca Rode<br />
<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Dystopian<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Love<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Moderate Violence associated with hostile takeovers<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "<span id="freeText11104151244308028923">Treena and Vance think they’ve pulled out of the numbers game forever. They’re wrong.<br /><br />After
Treena’s disastrous attempt to unite the nation, she has the deaths of
hundreds haunting her dreams. Now, with hatred and accusations following
her past the border, she’s determined to leave that horrible day behind
and find a peaceful, uneventful life with Vance and the settlers. But
when she starts seeing mysterious figures hiding in the abandoned cities
at night and uncovers a strange desert population, she realizes there’s
a danger much greater than NORA to worry about—and she just abandoned
her people to their fate. <br /><br />Vance is a prisoner. Being rejected by
the girl he loves and put on trial for betraying his clan are bad
enough, but now he’s been framed for a crime he never committed. Their
less-than-perfect refuge has become the political game of a madman, and
Vance is the only one who can stop it—if he can keep from being executed
first.<br /><br />Treena and Vance are still very much in the game, and this time it will take everything they have to save those they love" (GoodReads.com).</span><br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I liked <i>Numbers Ignite </i>more than the original <i>Numbers Game.</i> Sequels tend to lose some of the initial intrigue and spunk that the reader gains in the first book. In fact, Treena feels more real to me now--the struggles and decisions she faces and the choices she has to make. Even Vance feels more three-dimensional to me, which is impressive because I loved Vance from the first story. Both characters endure a personal journey that gives them growth, tenacity, and more strength. The expansion of secondary characters is intriguing and I love where its going. The story development still fascinates me and Rebecca Rode does a great job of placing me in her world to the point I can visualize everything. I still want to punch Dresden in his pretty Bike Boy face, but that just means that Rode did a great job of making me care about the characters. Overall, if you are into YA and/or Dystopian, then you should most definitely read this series. Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-60204832664148018592016-05-30T09:05:00.000-07:002016-05-30T09:05:02.468-07:00Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan<img alt="20829994" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437455100l/20829994.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Rick Riordan<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
YA Myths/Fiction<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Like<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>:
High Violence, Bad Behavior, and lots of High Gross Out Moments<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"Percy Jackson, a modern-day demigod, tells the origin stories of the gods of Olympus and provides an insider's point of view - with plenty of attitude - in this illustrated collection"-- Provided by publisher. "A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don't need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week. So begins Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic--and sarcastic asides--to the classics. He explains how the world was created, then gives readers his personal take on a who's who of ancients, from Apollo to Zeus. Percy does not hold back. "If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on, because it definitely was a Golden Age for all that." Dramatic full-color illustrations throughout by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco make this volume--a must for home, library, and classroom shelves--as stunning as it is entertaining"-- Provided by publisher. <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: If you want to learn about the Greek myths, but some of the more traditional tellings are way too daunting, then this is book is your solution. I love studying mythologies and was fascinated with Riordan's ability to bring them to life in new and intriguing manner (and besides, I am a huge Percy Jackson fan--the books, not the movie). In this particular book you learn all about the history of the titans, Greek gods, and other mythological beings with the modern day humor only teenagers can master. The stories are fascinating and frequently gory (as many mythos are), and yet Riordan faces them head on in a manner that makes them still pg-13 (which is an impressive feat) and all told from Percy Jackson's viewpoint. <br />
<br />
<b><i>Note</i></b>: Keep in mind, the Greek Gods are not known for being moral compasses. They often had affairs, committed murder and other heinous acts, that might not be appropriate for your particular teen. So I recommend that parents either read this book first, or read it with their kids so that you can have any necessary discussions. I mean, I'm an adult (half the time) and even I cringed at some of the stories, even after they were cleaned up. So be prepared.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-29194431128200343992016-05-27T08:48:00.000-07:002016-05-27T08:48:13.178-07:00Scarlet by Marissa MeyerTo read my review of the first book in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/07/cinder-by-marissa-meyer.html" target="_blank">Cinder</a>.<br />
<br />
<img alt="13206760" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342485529l/13206760.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Marissa Meyer<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
YA Dystopian/Steam Punk/Fairytale Retelling/Sci-Fi<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Adore<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Moderate Violence
<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Half way around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: In Scarlet the point of views switch between Scarlet (a new vision of Red Riding Hood) and Cinder (Cinderella) from book one. The concepts and twists in this book are amazing and a breath of fresh air. I love the interplay between characters. I admire the creativity in Meyer's world building. I actually LOVE the men more in this book than the women--wolf and Captain Thorne leaped of the page (or well audio system) for me. While Scarlet's character was fascinating, her mood swings were a bit much for me at times, and yet they were completely and utterly understandable. I actually listened to this book on cd while in the car, and the voice actor did a beautiful job making each character stand out well in the story. The struggles both Cinder and Scarlet faced were three-dimensional and the way Meyer's interwove their stories beautiful. The violence was a bit gory at times for my taste, but did fit with the overall stories. I'm very intrigued to see where the next book in the series, <i>Cress,</i> goes.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-74325512649564138532016-05-26T08:44:00.000-07:002016-05-26T08:44:28.897-07:00The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan<img alt="15724396" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434701340l/15724396.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Rick Riordan<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
YA Urban Fantasy<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>:
Mythic battles in modern settings maybe slightly much for younger readers<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he is tracked down by a man he's never met -- a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: This book is EPIC!!!! I have always loved Norse mythology. Now Rick Riordan brings it to life in modern times with absolute brilliance and humor. Even better is that he does awesome tie-ins to the Percy Jackson series by mocking the stories he wrote. Then, to top it off, he makes references to Doctor Who. Seriously, Rick Riordan's writing just keeps getting better and better. The first line of every chapter was spot on brilliant, and the last line of each chapter jaw-dropping. The characters are well developed, diverse, and intriguing. Trying to keep all the Gods and their history straight was a bit overwhelming at times. Plus, like most mythologies, some aspects are violent and gross, but Riordan does a fabulous job keeping it all teenager approved. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-4659584433921611352016-04-25T12:45:00.000-07:002016-04-25T12:45:06.576-07:00Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede<img alt="150739" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1385526967l/150739.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1) <br />
<b>Author</b>: Patricia C. Wrede<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Fantasy<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: None<br />
Premise: "<span id="freeTextContainer15730627018141596977">Cimorene is everything a princess is <em>not</em>
supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart - and bored. So bored that
she runs away to live with a dragon - and finds the family and
excitement she's been looking for" (GoodReads.com).</span><br />
<b>Opinions</b>: This book was awesome. If you ever feel like the black sheep of the family and like everyone expects something of your life that you don't want, then you will find a soul sister in Cimorene. At first I thought she was just being strong-willed, like her parents assumed. I was wrong. She has an inner strength that I would love to have. I loved that she was willing to learn, willing to listen. She is full of spunk and personality, but is willing to seek advice when she doesn't understand something. I loved that she had a healthy respect for dragons and treated them with honor, as it was the smart thing to do, especially when ticking one off might cause death by flaming. The variety in personality/characteristics of the dragons was impressive and helped make the story come alive. Kazul was a very logical and realistic dragon and was a great match for Princess Cimorene. They're friendship strengthened each other. The humor or the story was fantastic. I admired the creativity of the world, the variety of mystical creatures, and environments. I highly recommend this book for all readers, young/old, male/female. I don't care who you are, this is a fun read and I'm excited to move into book two, <i>Searching for Dragons. </i>Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-72212074300919301012016-04-20T12:23:00.000-07:002016-04-20T12:23:03.019-07:00Insurgent by Veronica RothTo read my review of the first book in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/12/divergent-by-veronica-roth.html" target="_blank">Divergent</a>. <br />
<br />
<img alt="11735983" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1325667729l/11735983.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Insurgent (Divergent #2)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Veronica Roth<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Dystopian<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Like<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: High Violence, Swearing, Intense Moments<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "As war surges in the dystopian society around her, sixteen-year-old
Divergent Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and
herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and
forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love" (King County Library System).<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I had mixed feelings about this story. Once I read the first book, I of course wanted to know what happened next. I was pleased to see that the plot was fascinating. At first I wasn't fond of where Tris' character arch was going, but I was glad to see her grow and how she chose to honor her parents. I would recommend that parents read this book first to ensure that their particular children can handle the content. I was pleased to see a new level of connection between Tris & Four and that their relationship didn't automatically come easy. I liked Christine's return and the things she overcomes throughout Insurgent. <br />
<br />
I did have serious difficulties with some of the more violent scenes, especially when Tris is given a Terror serum. It was more than I can handle, though I am sensitive and have an active imagination. Also, keep in mind I was listening to the story on CD in my car with young children in the back seat. I immediately turned it off, until I could finish it without them around. I was fascinated enough by the ending that I'm debating weather or not go ahead and find out the ending in <i>Allegiant</i>, or to call it at watching the movie. The jury is still out.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-14328333776787128822016-04-18T09:46:00.000-07:002016-04-18T09:46:02.143-07:00Calamity by Brandon Sanderson To read my reviews of the other books in the <i>The Reckoners </i>series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2013/11/steelheart-by-brandon-sanderson.html" target="_blank">Steelheart </a>and <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-read-my-review-of-first-book-in-this.html" target="_blank">Firefight</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="15704486" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437098338l/15704486.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Calamity (<i>The Reckoners </i>#3)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Brandon Sanderson<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Post Apocalyptic Fantasy? <br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Moderate Violence, Moderate Fake Swearing<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "David prepares for a confrontation against the High Epic to help his
friend, Prof, achieve redemption and embrace his destiny. When Calamity
lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David's fate has been tied to their
villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father.
Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally
into a dangerous enemy. Once the Reckoners’ leader, Prof has struggled
to control his Epic powers, but has now embraced his Epic destiny.
Everyone knows there’s no turning back... but everyone is wrong.
Redemption is possible for Epics. And David is just about crazy enough
to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend
back... or die trying" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: This book, the whole series: FREAKIN' FANTSTIC. Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors, but he takes the cake with the completion of his <i>The Reckoners </i>series. To the end I loved David's ability to use and abuse bad metaphors. They, and his poor ability to drive anything, made him stand out as a very real person to me, and one of my all time favorite characters. I loved the growth of each character. The decisions they faced where incredibly difficult and yet <i>The Reckoners </i>put their faith in David and his in-depth research into the Epics, their abilities, their faults, and their downfalls. I was impressed by Megan to no end and her strength and courage as she worked to overcome her past. Plus, Sanderson's ability to weave a imaginative, colorful, and wholly believable post-Apocalyptic Earth was astounding; I could see it with every word on the page. And better yet, the ending was highly satisfying in every way. If you want to read a series that covers faith, forgiveness, trust, growth, humor and evil Superheroes than you MUST read <i>Calamity.</i>Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-8512652855613642712016-04-15T08:37:00.000-07:002016-04-15T08:37:32.444-07:00One Horn to Rule Them All: A Purple Unicorn Anthology <img alt="22908715" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407880751l/22908715.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: One Horn to Rule Them All: A Purple Unicorn Anthology<br />
<b>Author</b>: Various (edited by Lisa Mangum)<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen <br />
<b>Genre</b>: Fantasy/Sci-Fi<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Love<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Mild Violence<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Unicorns, with their single ivory horn, are elusive and magical creatures of myth. Yet even more elusive are the purple unicorns. First sighted at the Superstars Writing Seminar, their legend has grown year after year until it could only be contained in this anthology. Nineteen storytellers, including Peter S. Beagle, Todd McCaffrey, and Jody Lynn Nye, as well as new and rising authors, invite us into worlds both near and far, across a desert oasis, a pet shop, a Comic-Con exhibition floor, and more, and show us the many variations of purple unicorns, from the imaginary to the actual—and one very memorable half-unicorn, half-potato. One Horn to Rule Them All is an unforgettable collection of imagination and creativity. So, saddle up, and take a ride beyond the rainbow" (GoodReads).<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: Wow. If you want to see dragons in a whole new light from a variety of talented writers, then this book is perfect. This book has everything from a discussion at a bus station between two people wondering what the graffiti <i>purple unicorn </i>means, to a human detective solving mystical crimes with the feel of <i>The Godfather,</i> and even a rampaging purple unicorn turned into a potato. The imagination and creativity in this book is remarkable and showcases brilliant new authors on a shining stage. Then the book throws in stories by Todd McCaffrey (<i>Dragons of Pern series), </i>Peter S. Beagle (<i>The Last Unicorn</i>)<i> </i>and Jody Lynn Nye (<i>Mythology 101, Imperium, etc)</i>, editing by Lisa Mangum (the <i>Hourglass Door series), </i>and artwork by James A. Owen (<i>Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica). </i>It's perfect to read while waiting for your bus or at the doctors' office, or whenever you can sneak a peak. Fair warning, <i>The Last Dregs of Winter </i>left me sobbing. . . and I was in the waiting room of a doctor's office. ;-) So YES, I most definitely recommend this anthology. And, to top it off, the proceeds from its sales go to fund scholarships for other writers to learn the business side of writing.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-38147530468884559742016-02-09T10:45:00.002-08:002016-02-09T10:45:38.690-08:0045 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt<img alt="12683580" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348334874l/12683580.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: 45 Master Characters: Mythic Models For Creating Original Characters<br />
<b>Author</b>: Victoria Lynn Schmidt<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Adult Non-Fiction, Writing Tips<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: References to some movies/books with more adult content or behavior<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "<span id="freeTextContainer2570394955596255445">Create unforgettable
characters your readers will love!Want to make your characters and their
stories more compelling, complex, and original than ever before? "45
Master Characters" is here to help you explore the most common male and
female archetypes--the mythic, cross-cultural models from which all
characters originate" (GoodReads.com).</span><br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I purchased this book on the recommendation of another author. Best decision ever. This book has catapulted the complexity and quality of my writing by cavernous measures. I love the detailed explanation of why each of the Greek Gods' characters resonates with readers and what makes them so memorable. But what I found to be the greatest asset in this book is the comparison for each segment of the character's growth to well-known and loved books and movies that I would never have originally connected to someone from Greek mythology. I am a very visual learner, and to have the examples of how gender differences, or the hero/villainous aspects of a character's nature played out in stories I well know was beyond enlightening. I also loved the ideas the author provided of how secondary characters can impact the main character changing their story line or growth. Now I have hundreds of ideas how to take my writing to the next level. If you are a storyteller in any way, shape or form, then I recommend you read this book and take copious notes.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-6204632485693777492016-01-29T08:21:00.000-08:002016-01-29T08:21:11.173-08:00The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon HaleTo read our reviews of the other books in the Princess Academy trilogy click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2009/09/please-enter-our-drawing-for-signed.html" target="_blank">Princess Academy</a> and <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2013/03/palace-of-stone-by-shannon-hale.html" target="_blank">Palace of Stone</a>.<br />
<br />
<img alt="22529349" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418629528l/22529349.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
The Forgotten Sisters (Princess Academy#3)<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Shannon Hale<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
YA Fantasy<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>:
None<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"Miri's eager to return to her beloved Mount Eskel after a year at the capital, but the king and queen ask her to first journey to a distant swamp and start her own miniature princess academy for three royal cousins, but once there she must solve a mystery before she can return home" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: Shannon Hale is on my top ten list of incredible authors. If it has her name on the cover then there is a 98% chance that I'm going to LOVE that book. Once again, she did not fail. Even though <i>The Book of A Thousand Days </i>is my all time favorite book of Shannon's, the <i>Princess Academy </i>series is my favorite series. She does a fabulous job of taking the struggles of young women that apply to today and put them in a fantastical realm that lets the reader's imagination sore. When I read this conclusion to the Princess Academy series I was down with a cold. This may be cheating, but I'm going to share what I posted on Facebook: "Today I have had the luxury of recovering from a cold while reading <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1499604338" href="https://www.facebook.com/squeetus">Shannon Hale</a>'s
Princess Academy: Forgotten Sisters and I rolled over and looked out my
bedroom window. The clouds were so low that I could no longer see the
mountains just outside and suddenly I felt like Miri, missing MY
mountains."<br />
<br />
I love that Miri is one again handed a twisted goal that she must deal with in the hopes of bettering the lives of Mount Eskelites. She takes the challenge head on and then realizes that not all is as she was promised. I love the continuation of Miri & Pedre's relationship to see how it grows from a distance. I love Miri's growth and how she finds a greater strength inside herself. I love the strength of women portrayed in the book, even if they falter, once they realize the truth each and every woman stands strong in her own way. This entire series is one that I long to and will be proud to read to my daughter.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-19537685200067284502016-01-27T05:14:00.000-08:002016-01-27T05:14:00.274-08:00Fires of Invention by J. Scott SavageSorry for the absence. I took the month of December off to recover from NaNoWriMo, help sick kids, and spend time with family. So be prepared for a load of updates over the next week as I finally type up the reviews on the page-turning books I read over the holidays. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="25205326" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1435187909l/25205326.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Fires of Invention (Mysteries of Cove #1)
<br />
<b>Author</b>:
J. Scott Savage<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
Mid-Grade Steampunk<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: None
<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime, and invention is a curse word. Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, who died in an explosion--an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the dangers of creativity. Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlike anything they've ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on--and quite possibly their very lives" (King County Library System). <br />
<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: Steampunk Dragon. Need I say more. Well, yes, I probably do. J. Scott Savage has created a multi-level society living inside a mountain. From page one I was drawn into the world by the laws the citizens of Cove lived by. I wanted to know why, and Trenton Colman was the perfect vessel to help reveal the details. Savage is a master at creating three dimensional characters that the reader can relate to. For example, Trenton is a skilled teen mechanic in a world where invention is considered evil. When he is beaten up by a girl then assigned to working on the farming level, Trenton is pretty sure is world is over. And yet, his world suddenly is filled with secret excursions to out of bound areas, budding relationships, and major character growth. <br />
<br />
Trenton wasn't the only one who felt real to me, who I could connect with. I love his parents. There was true love that motivated each of the actions. Even if, at times, the presented a roadblock to Trenton's growth I could understand the whys and the love behind their actions. Then you get to Kallista. An girl orphan dressed as a boy, shunned by society, kick-butt steampunk gear and outfits, and has an incredibly sick secret workshop filled with brilliant tools and walls of books in a society where stories are forbidden. What isn't fascinating about that combo?<br />
<br />
So basically: the characters were well developed and real, the plot was complex and intriguing, and the world...steampunk magical awesomeness. This is definitely a must read for kids, teens, young adults and adults. I, personally, cannot wait to read more.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-53968652073048138152015-11-05T13:47:00.001-08:002015-11-05T13:47:53.431-08:00Silver In the Blood by Jessica Day George <img alt="22929540" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1419025306l/22929540.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Silver In The Blood (Silver in the Blood #1)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Jessica Day George<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: YA Historical Fantasy Paranormal Horror (um take your pick...It's a little cross of several genres)<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Shape-shifting that leaves clothes behind, Wolves shown in battle (but described relatively cleanly).<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "In 1897, seventeen-year-olds Dacia and Lou, New York socialites and
cousins, visit their maternal homeland of Romania and learn the family
secret--that they are shapeshifters, expected to take their rightful
places and marry proper husbands" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I have enjoyed everything I have ever read by Jessica Day George. Having said that......<i>Silver In The Blood</i> is my favorite. It was also highly unexpected. The majority of Jessica's other stories revolve around fairy-tale retelling or incredibly awesome twists on the young adult traditional fantasy with female main characters. I was expecting more of the same type of story when I picked up this book, not that I wasn't thoroughly excited to delve into a new story from one of my all time favorite authors. So imagine my surprise when I realized that this book takes place in Romania in the 1800s and revolves around the ancestors of Vlad the Impaler (the genesis of the Dracula story). The story didn't just draw me in, it sucked me in hook, line & sink your teeth to the very core. The main characters were real to me, though from a different time, as they struggled with the teen struggles of the day, and yet when life opens up a horrible truth their reactions are real. My favorite character of all is Lou. I want to be her. I want her grace, her tenacity, her courage, her strength. Yeah, if I couldn't be her I would at least want to be really good friends with someone like her. Her cousin, Dacia, is a fantastic character, don't get me wrong, but personality wise I resonate more with Lou. With the ability to see the main characters' inner struggles through their letters and journal entries added to the traditional story telling the reader gets a more three-dimensional view into their growth throughout the story. I'm so fascinated by the story, its concept, and the imagery that I now need to add Romania to my research and places to visit list. So, yes, you should read this book. And happily, it looks like <i>Silver In The Blood</i> is the beginning of a series. Yeah baby!!! One happy reader here.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-32640412367218492462015-11-04T07:52:00.000-08:002015-11-04T07:52:15.740-08:00Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton<br />
<img alt="815985" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348176620l/815985.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Hippos Go Berserk!<br />
<b>Author</b>:Sandra Boynton<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Kids Picture Book<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Fabulous<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: None<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Larger and larger groups of hippos join a lone hippopotamus for a night-time party" (King County Library). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: It has been a while since I've posted a review for a children's book, but I've been going to volunteer at my library each week for the last month and picked up this book for my kids. Oh my gosh!!!! This book is awesome. The pictures are colorful, the story hilarious, and my autistic kindergarten loves this book so much that he is reading it over and over. So if you are looking for a fantastic book for your little ones to read, this one should be at the top of your list.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-90278740067329212202015-11-02T11:49:00.002-08:002015-11-02T11:49:53.626-08:002k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron <img alt="16080676" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349974760l/16080676.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: 2K to 10 K: Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love<br />
<b>Author</b>: Rachel Aaron<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Non-Fiction<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Love<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Mild Swearing<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "<span id="freeText16366433426191194417">"Have you ever wanted
to double your daily word counts? Do you sometimes feel like you're
crawling through your story? Do you want to write more every day without
increasing the time you spend writing or sacrificing quality? It's not
impossible, it's not even that hard. This is the book explaining how,
with a few simple changes, I boosted my daily writing from 2000 words to
over 10k a day, and how you can too."<br /><br />Expanding on her highly
successful process for doubling daily word counts, this book, a
combination of reworked blog posts and new material, offers practical
writing advice for anyone who's ever longed to increase their daily
writing output. In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular
2k to 10k writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy
editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters
that write their own stories, practical plot structure, and learning to
love your daily writing. Full of easy to follow, practical advice from a
commercial author who doesn't eat if she doesn't produce good books on a
regular basis, 2k to 10k focuses not just on writing faster, but
writing better, and having more fun while you do it" (GoodReads).</span><br />
<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I ordered this book off of Amazon for my Kindle based on the recommendation of one of my writer friends. I have been a "pantser" author up until know (i.e. discovering the story as I go, writing by the seat of my pants). This book as enlightened me to the benefits of panning and plotting your story out in advance to help increase your ability to quickly turn out a book and get the edits done in a much more logical process. Rachel's suggestions are practical and make total sense. My favorite suggestion is to start out your writing day by stating a goal of what you hoped to accomplish that day (or in a particular chapter) prior to writing, so that you know the basics of what you want to happen in that chapter before you actually write it. Brilliant, I know. I just wonder why have not tried plotting in advance a lot sooner.<br />
<br />
So with it being November (a.k.a. National Write A Book In a Month - NaNoWriMo) I've decided to utilize her suggestions to rewrite an old story of mine from the beginning, plotting out the characters, locations, development, etc. prior to starting the storytelling portion. I have never completed NaNoWriMo before (though I've tried 4 times). I am planning on not making this number five. With the techniques suggested in this book I look forward to being a NaNo winner. <br />
<br />
I'll let you know if I succeeded at the end of the month. Here's to better, faster writing.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-5310912069943075902015-10-23T08:17:00.003-07:002015-10-23T08:17:38.009-07:00Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson<img alt="Happy, Happy, Happy" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362252767l/17455541.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander<br />
<b>Author</b>: Phil Robertson<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Adult Non-Fiction<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Like<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Instances of drugs, alcohol, but the consequences of those actions are also talked about.<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Life was always getting in the way of Phil Robertson's passion for duck
hunting. An NFL-bound quarterback, Phil made his mark on Louisiana Tech
University in the 1960s by playing football and completing his college
career with a master's degree in English. But Phil's eyes were not
always on the books or the ball; they were usually looking to the sky.
Phil grew up with the dream of living the simple life off the land like
his forebears, but he soon found himself on a path to
self-destruction--leasing a bar, drinking too much, fighting, and
wasting his talents. He almost lost it all until he gave his life to
God. And then everything changed. Phil's incredible story tells how he
followed a calling from God and soon after invented a duck call that
would begin an incredible journey to the life he had always dreamed of
for himself and his family" (King County Library System). <br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and read a book lately. So instead I've been picking up books on CD from my library to listen to in the car while I'm driving my kids around or dropping my husband off at the train station. On a whim I picked up <i>Happy, Happy, Happy </i>by Phil Robertson. I knew of him from watching the show <i>Duck Dynasty </i>on A&E several years ago. But then we got rid of cable and I haven't seen it in years. So I figured, why not?<br />
<br />
The CD of this book is read aloud by Phil's oldest son, Al. I was fascinated to learn about how Phil grew up in a very hard life, but that they had always been taught how to be happy, and really didn't understand that they were poor. Learning about how his mother struggled with depression and underwent electric shock therapy while being institutionalized, while around the same time his father had fallen off an oil rig and had to where a plaster cast from neck to hip for two years while trying to raise 5 kids during his wife's on and off absence. I loved learning how he and Ms. Kay got together and I cried through their struggles as he went through several bad years of rebellion. Let's just say I have an new and incredibly high respect for Ms. Kay.<br />
<br />
There were times I got lost when it came to Phil talking about all the types of ducks and their specific calls, but the stories about his life, his struggles, and how was blessed with family who cared enough and loved him so much, and how he chose his religion to help him through it all.<br />
<br />
You may not agree with his life style, you may not agree with his political views, but after reading (or listening to this book) I believe you will come to respect Phil Robertson for his determination, perseverance, hard work ethics, and his love for his family and his God. He has come far and is doing what he loves with a family he adores. That sounds like a great life to me. And listening to the story of his life has brought me a greater appreciation for my own. <br />
<br />
So yeah I think you should read this book.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-18528702763443805412015-09-30T12:49:00.002-07:002015-09-30T12:49:36.931-07:00As Chimney Sweepers Come To Dust by Alan BradleyTo read my reviews of the other books in this series, click here: <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweetness-at-bottom-of-pie-by-alan.html" target="_blank">The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie</a>, <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2011/04/weed-that-strings-hangmans-bag-by-alan.html" target="_blank">The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag</a>, <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-herring-without-mustard-by-alan.html" target="_blank">A Red Herring Without Mustard</a>, <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-am-half-sick-of-shadows-by-alan.html" target="_blank">I Am Half-Sick of Shadows</a>, <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/02/speaking-from-among-bones-by-alan.html" target="_blank">Speaking from Among the Bones</a>, and <a href="http://fabulousreads.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-dead-in-their-vaulted-arches-by.html" target="_blank">The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches</a>. <br />
<br />
<img alt="As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7)" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406214651l/21874813.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>: As Chimney Sweepers Come To Dust (Flavia de Luce Mystery #7)<br />
<b>Author</b>: Alan Bradley<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>: Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Adult Mystery<br />
<b>Rating</b>: Love<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>: Dead Body<br />
<b>Premise</b>: "Youthful chemist and aspiring detective Flavia de Luce once again
brings her knowledge of poisons and her indefatigable spirit to solve
dastardly crimes -- but this time, she leaves behind her beloved English
countryside, and takes her sleuthing prowess to the unexpectedly
unsavory world of Canadian boarding schools!"-- Provided by publisher.
<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I love this series. I was so concerned that the last book but might have been the last one in the series, so I was thrilled to see the release of another one. It reads and feels like an Agatha Christie series, but with a tweenager heroine. Flavia is brilliant, spunky, slightly rebellious, and I love to see the world from her perspective. This book shows what happens when you take Flavia out of her comfort zone, shipped across the Atlantic and put up in her mother's old boarding school in Toronto. Flavia is used to being the odd duck in her family, now she's trying to come out of her mother's dead shadow to prove to herself who she wants to be in her world. When I skeleton comes crashing down from her bedroom fireplace her first night in the refurbished old church turned all girls' school at least that feels somewhat familiar to her. However, she must decide to follow her nature and unravel the mystery of the dead body and missing classmates or try to fit in with the crowd and not make waves. It was a fascinating turn of events, plus it leaves hope for future additional Flavia de Luce novels, which just makes me happy. So if you like murder mysteries then you should read this whole series.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-69983214402071489852015-08-21T14:19:00.000-07:002015-08-21T14:19:40.908-07:00Spelled by Betsy Schow<br />
There is a reason this publisher is printing this book for the third time in the two and a half months since it was first released. It's that great.<br />
<br />
<img alt="24380140" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420756368l/24380140.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
Spelled<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Betsy Schow<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
YA Fiction (Children's Classics Mash-up)<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
FABULOUS!!!!<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>:
None<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"<span id="freeText1725843128119619545"><strong>Fairy Tale Survival Rule #32: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.</strong><br /><br /><em>Yeah, no thanks. </em>Dorthea is completely princed out. Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks—like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. But a forced marriage to the brooding prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.<br /><br /><strong>Talk about unhappily ever after. </strong><br /><br />Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called "Kansas." Now it's up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse...before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells <em>The End</em> for the world of Story" (GoodReads.com).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Opinions</b>: I was so excited to get this book as Betsy is a friend of mine. I was able to see this book flourish and grow and I couldn't wait to read it in its final iteration. As soon as it came out I ran home and started reading it out loud to my husband. By the end of the first few chapters he said, "You're loving this aren't you?" Well, yeah. But I wasn't sure if he was. My husband is a huge fan of the original Frank L. Baum's Wizard of Oz--he's even read the series to our daughter since she was about two. So I stopped reading it out loud to him after a few nights because I didn't think he was into it. Then we went to a doctor's appointment together and he caught me reading it to myself. "Isn't that the one we're supposed to be reading together?" he asked. <i>Busted. </i>We read the rest of it together and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed. I cried.....I nearly snorted soda out my nose.....you get the picture.<br />
<br />
Just be prepared for snark. Be prepared for sass. And be prepared for everything you think you know about the Wizard of Oz and other children's classics to be flipped on its head, tossed in a cyclone, and rewritten in the most creative, inventive, unique way then turn it into a YA novel. I cannot wait for you to meet Dorthea (Dot) re imagined, Prince Kato (like <i>no </i>prince you've ever seen) and Rexi. You are in for a true adventure with <i>Spelled.</i><br />
<br />
<i>P.S.</i> The last time I went to see my counselor she told me she was currently reading this book because she knew that I was friends with the author and had recommended it. She said that she didn't get into it right at first, but that her teenage daughter refused to let her put it down. Now she is immersed and has to know how its going to play out. Yeah, its that addictive. And the good news......the publisher has picked up the entire series. So we'll all get to see what happens to Dorothea next.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1072152048"></span><span id="goog_1072152049"><br /></span>Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-40995541588886740382015-08-15T13:18:00.001-07:002015-08-15T13:25:54.419-07:00Whistling Past The Graveyard by Susan CrandallI know, I know....its been eons since either of us has posted. It's been a rough few months, but now that summer is almost over and the kids will soon heading back to school I hope to post more often.<br />
<br />
<img alt="16058610" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360518751l/16058610.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Title</b>:
Whistling Past The Graveyard<br />
<b>Author</b>:
Susan Crandall<br />
<b>Reviewer</b>:
Karen<br />
<b>Genre</b>:
Historical Fiction<br />
<b>Rating</b>:
Like<br />
<b>Alerts/Warnings</b>:
Death, Violence at the time of Civil Rights<br />
<b>Premise</b>:
"<span id="freeText5999419327401948931">The summer of 1963 begins like any other for nine-year-old Starla Claudelle. Born to teenage parents in Mississippi, Starla is being raised by a strict paternal grandmother, Mamie, whose worst fear is that Starla will turn out like her mother. Starla hasn’t seen her momma since she was three, but is convinced that her mother will keep her promise to take Starla and her daddy to Nashville, where her mother hopes to become a famous singer—and that one day her family will be whole and perfect.<br /><br />When Starla is grounded on the Fourth of July, she sneaks out to see the parade. After getting caught, Starla’s fear that Mamie will make good on her threats and send her to reform school cause her to panic and run away from home. Once out in the country, Starla is offered a ride by a black woman, Eula, who is traveling with a white baby. She happily accepts a ride, with the ultimate goal of reaching her mother in Nashville.<br /><br />As the two unlikely companions make their long and sometimes dangerous journey, Starla’s eyes are opened to the harsh realities of 1963 southern segregation. Through talks with Eula, reconnecting with her parents, and encountering a series of surprising misadventures, Starla learns to let go of long-held dreams and realizes family is forged from those who will sacrifice all for you, no matter if bound by blood or by the heart" (Goodreads.com)</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Opinions</b>: This book was chosen for book club reading this last year. Unfortunately it was so popular that I was on hold forever at the library and finally got to read it two months after we held our discussion. The biggest hang-up with this book is that, even though is masterfully done, I'm afraid it can be lost in the influx of civil rights era books that have been released in quick succession over the last few years.<br />
<br />
Having said that.....I love Starla. Starla is 9. She acts 9. She thinks like a 9 year old. She talks 9. She feels very real to me. And when she ends up running away and is forced to deal with some incredibly adult matters I was there with her as her thoughts battled her emotions to come to grip with reality in the 60s. I loved seeing her growth, her character arc, and her willing to fight for those she loves and for what she feels is right. The difficulty of this story is that the dark matters revolving around self-worth, abuse, civil rights, and the treatment of others were so intense (especially knowing that Starla is only 9) made me wonder whether or not I could personally handle reading the rest. I love Ms. Cyrena and I love Eula, but Starla is my hero. And in spite of the danger, the darkness, and the heart-wrenching lessons she learns I'm glad that I endured the journey with her. And it made for an incredible and complex book club discussion. Overall my favorite line is toward the end when Starla is trying to come to grips with what she learned about the trials she went through....."God's plan ain't a free pass. Uh-uh. He give us moments to make choices, and we make them. We accountable for those choices. God's job ain't to make our lives easier, it's to make us better souls b the lessons he give us."Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-17061046821411441282015-04-08T19:36:00.000-07:002015-04-08T19:36:21.611-07:00It's Just My Nature! by Carol Tuttle<img alt="6420399" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348041263l/6420399.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Title</strong>:
It's Just My Nature! A Guide To Knowing and Living Your True Nature<br />
<strong>Author</strong>:
Carol Tuttle<br />
<strong>Reviewer</strong>:
Karen<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>:
Non-Fiction Self-Help<br />
<strong>Rating</strong>:
Love<br />
<strong>Alerts/Warnings</strong>:
None <br />
<strong>Premise</strong>:
"Reveals a startlingly accurate method for assessing your personality and behavioral tendencies with a new system called Energy Profiling TM" (King County Library). <br />
<strong>Opinions</strong>: This book explains that everyone's personalities down into four types: Air, Water, Fire, and Earth with a thorough explanation of the reasons and science behind this breakdown. Everyone has all four aspects to their nature, but this book suggests that everyone has one of the types that is dominant over all the others. And then explains that if you accept what your true nature is and to live by it that you will feel more at home in your own skin. I had heard about this premise before from several friends who have already read into Carol Tuttle's Energy Profiling system. When a friend loaned me this book I was eager to see what all the hype was about. The intriguing thing is it made a whole lot of sense to me. Eventually I was able to pin down that I am a Type 1: Air person who lives by hope and looking up and having an upbeat personality. Secondly, I am a Water type as I tend to be sensitive and also try to make others feel comfortable. The break down of each type is fully explained including the strengths and difficulties a person of that type would face. It also suggests how to work with someone of a differing type then yourself, which I found extremely helpful. The more I read, the more I began to understand other family members better and what it is that I could modify in my own behavior to help meet their needs. I was grateful for the insight in how to work better together as a family to help each other grow closer together. I am looking forward into reading her book <em>Child Whisperer </em>to help me further understand my children's personalities and how I could be a better mother to support who they are. I especially enjoyed being able to go back to my friends who recommended this book and see if they agreed with my assessment. It's a great topic of discussion.Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4948509752399205976.post-87724996137170017152015-03-31T19:45:00.001-07:002015-03-31T19:45:37.290-07:00Numbers Game by Rebecca Rode<img alt="25131711" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426214373l/25131711.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Title</strong>: Numbers Game (Numbers Game #1)<br />
<strong>Author</strong>:
Rebecca Rode<br />
<strong>Reviewer</strong>:
Karen<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>:
YA Dystopian<br />
<strong>Rating</strong>:
Love<br />
<strong>Alerts/Warnings</strong>: Murder associated in a dystopian society
<br />
<strong>Premise</strong>:
"<span id="freeText4432396088340331612">Treena is nervous for Rating Day. A single number will brand her forever—a valuable citizen, or a pathetic waste of space. Her top-Rated boyfriend is confident their scores will coincide so they can attend the academy together. But when the big day arrives, her true number shocks everyone. <br /><br />To get her life and boyfriend back, she must go undercover and expose a military spy. Doesn’t sound too hard, except that someone wants her dead. And then there’s Vance, the mysterious soldier with a haunted past and beautiful brown eyes. Together, they discover a dark numbers conspiracy, one that shatters the nation’s future. Treena must join up with Vance if she is to survive the dangerous game of numbers—and the terrible war that rages within her heart."</span><br />
<span></span><br />
<strong>Opinions</strong>: I ordered this book last week, but saved reading it until I could have the author (and friend and critique buddy) sign it last night at the official release party. So yeah. I took the day off today from doing pretty much everything (except making my daughter's birthday cake) so that I could read this book. I could not put it down. Part of it was from fascination to see how the final product fared against the beta draft I read a while ago. Part of it is because of the story itself. Let's just say . . .I <em>loved</em> the final product. It is strong, compelling, and hard to put down.<br />
<br />
I love the split point of view between Treena and Vance. I was intrigued by each person's character growth. The secondary characters are strong and definitely add to the story. The part I love most though is the creation of the world, to the point it was its own character to me. Everything about the world was vivid, impressive, and complex. It impacted everyone and everything. The tendrils of information about the past are given smoothly and not an info dump and definitely strengthen the story. Its a fascinating world that Rebecca created.<br />
<br />
Some of the timing was slightly confusing to me, but some of that could be because my kids had to be fed and all, and I might have missed something. Especially when it came to the development of the relationship between Vance and Treena, but that's because I'm a sucker for drawing that kind of thing out.<br />
<br />
Despite any of that I still stand by what I had told Rebecca previously, "This story is better than Scott Westerfeld's book <em>Uglies</em> . . . and I <strong>LOVE</strong> that book." Fabulous Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689765336904498241noreply@blogger.com0