Legion by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Legion
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: LOVE
Alerts/Warnings: Moderate Violence, Mild Language
Premise: "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.
Opinions: 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.

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

To read a review of the first book in this series from one of our contributors please click here: Austenland.




Title: Midnight in Austenland (Austenland #2)
Author: Shannon Hale
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fiction/Chick-Lit
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: Mild language (maybw 2-3 swear words)
Premise: "Divorced American Charlotte Kinder takes a trip to Regency staged Pembrook Park in Kent where she plays parlor games, learns country dances, and even lets herself be courted by her assigned suitor, the brooding, magnetic Mr. Mallery. But her vacation becomes more Northanger Abbey when she catches a fleeting glimpse of a dead body in a secret room" (King County Library).
Opinions: This book is a cross between Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and a mystery novel by Agatha Christie. I thought it was well written, with a spunky heroine. I ADORED Charlotte and could most definitely relate personality wise. I could easily see myself in such a situation (if I were only a millionaire and could afford such an excursion and didn't already have one hunky fabulous husband who treats me better every day).  While voraciously reading this book I had several laugh out loud moments (and quite a few "You GO GIRL!" moments) where my family looked quizzically at me before shrugging and going back to their previous occupations. Overall, I highly found Midnight in Austenland a fun and energetic read that made me feel giddy and happy and content with the story at its end. And personally, I enjoyed it more than the original, but you will have to read it for yourself to see if you agree.

Fall by Jennifer Hurst

Stephanie and I have been asked to participate in an on-line blog tour to support the author in the release of this book. Usually, only Stephanie or I will write a review for a book, even if we both have read it. However, this time we have been asked to provide dueling or co-reviews. As such, I have read the book first and am posting my review of it now. Then, I am sending it to Stephanie who will read it and post her review in September. We hope that this will better help you decide whether or not this book piques your interest so that you choose to read it.

Also, please stay tuned for details regarding an author-sponsored contest in relation to FALL that will be posted later today.




Title: Fall
Author: Jennifer Hurst
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: One swearword, one incident of implied sex
Premise: "Women and construction shouldn't mix. At least, that is what the client, Mr. Blackwell, thinks when Twenty-one year old Julia D. Halstead is promoted to project manager to remodel a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse into a bed and breakfast. However, the schoolhouse contains a dark secret that has been hidden for nearly a hundred years. A secret that will unleash the furies of Hell and cause the Angels in Heaven to weep as ethereal brothers, Matthew and Nathan, battle over Julia's very soul." (Book Jacket blurb)
Opinions: I had the pleasure of reading this book almost a year ago, as it was still a work in progress, and to provide my feedback on it for the author. I had a hard time putting it down then, and I must say that I love what Jennifer has done with the finish product. Paranormal romances are usually not my first choice of books to pick up and read, but I was instantly intrigued with Fall's premise. I was fascinated by the idea of JD (Julia), a strong woman trying to make headway in a male dominated field and wondering if she'll ever fall in love, then melding the story with the idea of Angels and Demons playing a major part in what happens in her life. I loved getting to know JD and experiencing with her each twist of the story. And I love that she is personal enough and quirky enough to wear pink leopard spotted construction books to work, and relishes a good chocolate chip milkshake with brownie broken up through out it. I was fascinated by Nathan and Matthew and the choices that they made, but honestly I think my favorite other characters are Liu (the oriental general store clerk) and Meagan (the mother of four precocious and unique boys). I also was entranced by the locale of the story, Torrey, Utah. I loved that it is a little known place and that the construction project that JD worked on is based on a true school building that has been made into a bed-and-breakfast. Plus, the descriptions of the area surrounding Torrey made me want to pack a bag for the weekend and go check it out.

Warning: For those who may be uncomfortable with sex in books there is one instance of sex. It is not described, but you know it happens and that the person is faced with consequences for those actions throughout the rest of the story. I loved that there was a balance between the choice and consequences for all of the characters' actions throughout the story.

Overall, I found this book unique, intriguing, and a fascinating twist on an adult romance that made it hard to put down. Please take a moment to read it yourself and let me know what you think.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Title: Ella Minnow Pea
Author: Mark Dunn
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: Some mentions of corporal punishments towards citizens of the island
Premise: Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal pangram,* “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island’s Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving story of one girl’s fight for freedom of expression, as well as a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere. (goodreads.com)

Opinions: What an quirky fun idea for a book! I thought it was entertaining and interesting look at what would happen if letters are lost from use. Not only is is interesting to think about would happen if you were no longer allowed to use the letter z or q or a or j. Think of all the words that you can no longer use if you lose even one letter.

I think that this book appealed to me on two levels. 1) It was an interesting look at a totalitian government that is completely ridiculous. However, I find the idea intriguing that there are so few people in the community that see the terribleness of the leaders. I do think that it is a fascinating look at governmental rule and how much power we give our leaders and the trust that we give them to take care of our society.
2) It appeals to me as a lover of words. I love that as the letters disappear from the statue, they disappear from the novel. So that soon it becomes so degraded it becomes hard to say anything.

This is a delightful book that makes you think and ponder language and politics. An interesting combination to be sure, but it makes for a fun read.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: Some swearing, some description of violence associated with the French Revolution
Premise: "In 1792, during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, an English aristocrat known to be an ineffectual fop is actually a master of disguises who, with a small band of dedicated friends, undertakes dangerous missions to save members of the French nobility from the guillotine. His friends and foes know him only as the Scarlet Pimpernel. But a ruthless French agent is sworn to discover his identity and hunt him down." (King County Library System)
Opinions: This is a fantastic story about love and overcoming pride. It is also a wonderful and slightly unusual look into aristocratic society and how they dealt with the French revolution from not only the French aspect, but from the English who did what they could to help those in need. The story is a bit difficult to get into at first due to the various dialects used to show differentiation in social classes. If you can get past that then this book is hard to put down and full of wonderful twists and turns.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Title: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Bronte
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Historical Romance/Classic
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: Some violence/Death
Premise: "
Opinions: This is a beautiful, but dark, tale of love and honor. I love to follow Jane as she discovers herself and the path the she wants to follow in life. I love the incredibly complex characters throughout the story and the twist of mystery within. This is not a frivolous story, but one of people who feel so real, people who make mistakes and poor choices and must pay for them. This is a story of a hard life and how to endure it and come out on top. If you want to read a story about a woman of great strength than read this book.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Title: Les Miserables
Author: Victor Hugo
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Classic/Historical Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: some intense scenes, cruelty and death (it has been a while since I've read this so I don't recall specific details of language)
Premise: "In this story of the trials of the peasant Jean Valjean--a man unjustly imprisoned, baffled by destiny, and hounded by his nemesis, the magnificently realized, ambiguously malevolent police detective Javert--Hugo achieves the sort of rare imaginative resonance that allows a work of art to transcend its genre." (Good Reads Description)
Opinions: I read the unabridged version in college. The size alone is daunting, but I have to say it was one of the best books I have ever read. In fact, if you want to get the true beauty of the story than I must insist that you read the unabridged version. Way too much is cut out of the abridged version (the story is still basically covered, but you miss the beauty, the majesty of the story). The depth of character is fully blossomed within the unabridged story, where as it is just beginning to flower in the abridged. This is a story about Jean Valjean and all the people that enter into his life who influenced it (for good or bad) and how he overcomes some of the greatest obstacles to find the true self within. The characters are poignant and the plot fascinating and heart-wrenching. This is a story of growth, love, sacrifice and so much more. This is a definite FABULOUS read.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Title: Rebecca
Author: Daphne Du Maurier
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Suspense
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: Murder
Premise: "Working as a lady's companion, the heroine of Rebecca learns her place. Life begins to look very bleak until, on a trip to the South of France, she meets Maxim de Winter, a handsome widower whose sudden proposal of marriage takes her by surprise. She accepts, but whisked from glamorous Monte Carlo to the ominous and brooding Manderley, the new Mrs de Winter finds Max a changed man. And the memory of his dead wife Rebecca is forever kept alive by the forbidding Mrs Danvers." (Good Reads Description)
Opinions: My mother got me hooked on Daphne Du Maurier books when I was a pre-teen. They are all filled with mystery and a touch of romance. Rebecca, in particular is one of my favorites of her books. It is an extremely intense book full of suspense and intrigue. Even Alfred Hitchcock loved it enough to make a movie out the storyline. I love the mystery, and the uncertainty of a young woman returning to her new husband's home trying to enter the middle of a pre-existing, well-running, high-brow society and wondering if she would ever fit in or would she always be compared to his first wife, Rebecca. And the ending....ahhhhh!!! Can't spoil it for you. ;-) This book is perfect for a cold, rainy day, to read by a fire while wrapped in blanket and eating chocolate.

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise

Title: Darcy's Voyage
Author: Kara Louise
Reviewer: Stephanie
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: WORSHIP!!
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise:Darcy's Voyage gives readers a chance to experience this timeless love story in a brand new setting. When Darcy and Elizabeth meet on a ship bound for New York, neither can deny the sparks of attraction that fly between them. And when Elizabeth falls ill during their journey, Darcy will do whatever it takes to save her life, including proposing a shipboard marriage. Once the ship docks in New York, Elizabeth and Darcy will have to overcome an entirely new set of obstacles if they want to save their legendary love... (KCLS.org)
Opinions: Okay, I admit it. I love Pride and Prejudice. Have for a long time. And I also admit, there are lots of remakes of the story out there. (My husband would say TONS!) This was unique to me and I really liked it. Darcy and Elizabeth meet on a boat sailing to America about six (?) months before Bingley rents Netherfeld. In this retelling, the first half happens on the boat and the second half is the original story of Pride and Prejudice with a couple of changes. It is cleverly done and well written. This was a wonderful book and, in all honesty, I read it 3 times while I was in China. Yup, it was that good.

A Woman's Place by Lynn N. Austin

Title: A Woman's Place
Author: Lynn N. Austin
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: Some violence associated with racial tension.
Premise: "As America rises to meet the challenge of World War II, the call for defense workers unites four women at Seneca Shipyards in Michigan. As their lives intersect, this unlikely gathering of women will encourage, shape, and influence one another as they learn valuable lessons about themselves and about life, love, and faith." (King County Library System)
Opinions: This book follows the lives of four women during the 1940's as they struggle to find their role in supporting their loved ones who have gone off to fight in World War Two. Jean is right out of high school and wants to support her six brothers who've gone off to war. Helen is a spinster trying to avoid being alone in her home. Ginny feels under appreciated being a wife and a mother. And Rosa, who had eloped with a soldier, is living with her husband's family and trying to find her self worth. Each woman finds a job working at a shipyard in Michigan and struggles to redefine what a "woman's place" means. I felt very connected to each of the women and loved getting to know them better and to see their strengths and cheer them on as they worked to overcome their weaknesses.

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

Title: O Pioneers!
Author: Willa Cather
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: "When Alexandra Bergson's father dies she is left with the responsibility of raising her younger brothers on their father's unsuccessful farm. Alexandra is deeply involved with life as she meets the demands of laboring on the prairie farm, and wrestling with her conflicting emotions. The unyielding land of the Nebraska Divide would be challenge enough, but a violent passion shakes this courageous young woman to her core and changes her life forever." (King County Library System)
Opinions: I am not a huge Willa Cather fan. I previously had read My Antonia for book club and wasn't excited. Books about life on the farm in rural America really aren't my cup of tea. However, the book club I'm now in also decided to read Willa Cather's book O Pioneers! as it would make a great book for discussion. I do have to say that I like O Pioneers! much more than My Antonia. I love the strength of Alexandra. She is an amazing, intelligent woman with many difficulties in life to overcome. However, she trusts in her instincts and her abilities and grows greatly from what she learns. I found that I could relate to her and wished in someways that I had her strength. My second favorite character was Ivar who lives his life in his own way, no matter what most people think about him. I found him unique and extremely loveable.

Keeping in mind that I've only read two Willa Cather books, it seems to me that she focuses on intense struggles of individuals fighting against nature and people in order to grow their farms and themselves. Some of the struggles she writes about leave me feeling depressed and some of her characters simply drive me nuts. Personally, in this book I would love to strangle Lou and Oscar (two of Alexandra's brothers). To understand why you will have to read the book so that I don't give too much away. Overall I would have to say that I did like reading this book (though now I could use some ice cream and hugs to recover). ;-)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Shaffer & Barrows

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: some retelling of violence associated with war
Premise: In 1946, as London emerges from the shadow of World War II, author Juliet Ashton is having a terrible time finding inspiration for her next book. Then she receives a letter from Guernsey Island, and learns of a unique book club formed on the spur of the moment as an alibi to protect its members from arrest by the occupying Germans during the war. Captivated, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds there will change her life forever.
Opinions: I first heard about this book when I attended my local book club shortly after giving birth to my son (for some reason my husband thought I need a break - good husband). I hadn't read the book yet, but just listening to the discussion inspired me to get my hands on it as soon as the library made it available (long wait list - should give a clue of how good this book is). I got this book on Friday, started reading it yesterday, and just finished it now. I could not wait to tell all of you about it (though you might have already heard as it is a New York Times bestseller). Needless to say FABULOUS!!!

Told through letters, this story was written brilliantly and immediately gives you an idea of each character's personality. I found myself falling in love, not only with Juliet, but also with each member of the society just as Juliet did. Most of all I loved learning about Elizabeth, who was an amazing woman that you learn about from the other club members, and wished that I could have been friends with her as well. I also fell in love with the descriptions of Guernsey and its beauty, and how the its people survived the five years that it was occupied by the Germans during World War Two. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a definite must read.