Review: それでも世界は美しい 1

それでも世界は美しい 1 by Dai Shiina
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I watched the anime of this about a year ago. I also read some of the manga at that point as well. I decided to start over again though because it had been a long time since I'd read and I wanted a refresh on the story. Nike is a great character and I'm looking forward to rereading this manga.

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Review: When a Scot Ties the Knot

When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is my favorite Tessa Dare novel. It was sweet in so many ways. Captain Logan MacKenzie is a figment of Maddie's imagination. She invents him to avoid a London season. Ten years later Captain Logan MacKenzie shows up on her door step. Maddie is shocked to find he got her letters and mortified. Logan uses the letters to get her to marry him. Maddie might not know Captain MacKenzie, but he knows her and she has a place that he and his men can be safe in the Highland. The characters were great and Maddie and Logan had chemistry I believed. There weren't any petty misunderstandings or other romance troupes that bother me. I highly recommend this novel.

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Review: Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance

Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I started listening to this audio book I expected it to have a little more that could be applied to fields outside of medicine. The end did a little, but most of the book was about medicine.

I started reading this book in 2014, but didn't get far at the time because of health issues. It has been on my list of books to read ever since. On a recent trip to the library I saw it and picked it up as an audio book. Clearly I wasn't going to finish it in the written format.

I enjoyed the audio version of this. It didn't give me the greatest confidence in the medical profession, but I already had some mistrust. The above health issues were not solved and I'm still looking for answers. That is extremely frustrating. This book looks at ways that medicine can do better, it doesn't say that doing better will mean solving every problem it means doing the best and striving to make that better. The stories in here were interesting for the most part. I wanted to really like and learn from this book but I don't feel like I got a lot that is applicable to my life as a non doctor. I'm glad I listened to it eventually, but I don't think it is a book that I'll return to.

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Review: What Happens in London

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who is the real spy: Olivia Bevelstoke who has taken to watching her new neighbor or Sir Harry Valentine? This set up for the story is both intriguing and a bit funny at times. Olivia doesn't realize that Harry knows she is watching him. However, when they first meet it becomes clear he knew she was spying on him. Harry finds Olivia to be a very different person than he would have expected. She seems to be unfeeling. What makes her societies darling?

I really enjoyed this story, and the funny Gothic novel that all the characters, except our main characters seem to be in love with.

This was another fun novel from Julia Quinn. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series..

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Review: Time Travel: A History

Time Travel: A History by James Gleick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened the the audiobook of this. I enjoyed it. However, I realized that not having read many of the books discussed in here I was missing out on some of the history of writing about time travel. I did find it interesting and am looking forward to reading or listening to many of the books that were mentioned in here.

Time travel is not as old an idea as I would have thought.

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Review: Any Duchess Will Do

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Griff is kidnapped by his mother and taken to Spindle Cove to select a wife. He selects Pauline, the barmaid. The set up for this story was amazing and I enjoyed the characters. Griff seems to fall for Pauline quickly at least as far as attraction goes. Pauline has a similar attraction but hers seemed less hurried.

I guess the rags to riches story had more appeal to me than I thought it would.

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Review: Moby-Dick

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I would not have finished this if I had not been listening to the audiobook. Ishmael is not what I would consider a reliable narrator and I often wondered how he could know private conversations between Captain Ahab and Starbuck.

My biggest complaint about the book was all the tangents. I remember early on there being a tangent about the color white and think, alright already, I get it. You are foreshadowing death, enough. That is the first example of when a tangent hits you over the head with something. At times the narration would speed up, but most of the time it was slow, and if the narration did speed up there was sure to be a tangent to slow it down.

By the end of the novel I was waiting for the white whale to not be real and the book to end with a "ha! Got ya! There is no white whale." After the slow meanderings of the rest of the novel, the ending hit quickly, and without the epilogue I would have hated the book. Instead of hating the book I feel generally ambivalent about it. I was hoping to gain some incite into the books that are based off of Moby-Dick, but I don't think I gained any new perspective on these past reads. I have really enjoyed books that are based off of Moby-Dick, and now I'm surprised since I did not care much for the original. This is not a book I would recommend, but it is a book that is frequently referenced, so reading it for me seemed like it would add to my enjoyment of other novels. I don't know if that will be true, but I hope so, otherwise I just spent 25 hours listening to a novel that I enjoyed disliking.

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Review: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novel starts when Miranda Cheever is ten years old and meets Viscount Turner for the first time. He is kind to her where others have not be and she falls in love. Instead of growing out of the childhood love she remains in love with him. Turner does not realize this until after his wife dies and he finds himself drawn to her.

While I enjoyed the novel, I felt like Turner was a bit slow.

I liked the story for the most part, I just didn't find it as fun as I would have liked from a Julia Quinn novel.

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Review: Silk Is for Seduction

Silk Is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had me smiling to myself as I read the funny interplay between a determined dressmaker and a Duke who wants nothing more than to seduce her and send her on her way. Little do they know that won't happen. I however, did know that they would not walk away from each other the way they thought they would. Historical Romance is predictable in the on the way to the alter plot. This one had plenty to keep me smiling and laughing as it made its way to the ending.

Marcelline Noirot is determined she will be the dressmaker for the Duchess of Clevedon, so she sets on to convince the Duke of Clevedon to have his future fiance come to her shop. She does not count on the Duke being handsome and clever. They both get more than they realized when they come to a clash of wills. Really a fun read.

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Review: The Luckiest Lady in London

The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first historical romance I've read by Sherry Thomas. I've read her young adult series, The Elemental Trilogy and I liked the characters, setting, and plot for that a lot. I did not care for this novel nearly as much as I did the young adult fantasy.

I wasn't sure about the attraction between the characters. Sure, there is something but it didn't seem to be enough to have them tripping over themselves to the alter.

What I did like about this book was the use of dreams and imagined touches. The dialogue between the characters could be tantalizing. However, I didn't feel it enough to make the story come to life. I liked the book but I didn't find myself smiling as I was reading it.

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Review: The Queen of Blood

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. It felt a little like a mix between young adult and adult fantasy. After a horrific attack on her village, Daleina, who has an affinity with the spirits, decides to become a queen of Renthia. She wants to protect the people and make sure no one has to live through what she did in her village.

The world created in this book reminds me a little of the spirits in some of Miyazaki's films. However, the spirits are not kind in this world. They are bound not to hurt the humans, but they desire to hurt them and sometimes they do.

Ven is a disgraced Champion of the realm and he is in Daleina's village after the attack happens. Later he picks her as his candidate for Queen. Ven also recruits Hamon, a healer, to travel with them. There was a little romance, but it didn't take over the story the way it does in some novels. This was a story about the conflict between spirits and humans, and the romance helped develop the characters but it did not become the story. I appreciated that. I'm looking forward to reading the next in this series.

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Review: Golden Son

Golden Son by Pierce Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was happy with the ending of the first novel Red Rising, and appreciated not feeling the need to read the second one immediately. I get burned out on stories if I read them back to back. That isn't always the case, but it happens often. This book has a little more of a cliff hanger ending, but I'm not in a rush to get the next novel. I think I'll enjoy mulling this one for a while. It added to the story in a way I wasn't expecting.

Darrow is one badass character. He is willing to get dirty, and he is human. He makes mistakes in this novel. He made mistakes in the first novel, but they didn't seem the same as the ones he makes in this one. Here I saw him more as someone lost and looking for a way to find who he is, and why he should continue. I'm not sure he figured it out by the end. He does have a mission/purpose, but is that going to be enough to get him through. Darrow had friends in the previous novel, but here he feels more alone. I'm hoping he finds those friends and relationships again.

I'm invested in the story and looking forward to the next novel. I absolutely love the world.

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Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found the writing style of this the book to be a bit difficult. At times I had a hard time guessing if it was a memory, something happening currently, or if it was a reflection on something past or something recent. The novel jumps around quite a bit. Also, quotation marks... What happened to them? Sometimes they were there, sometimes they weren't. This was a style choice, and one I understand. However, it did add to some confusion for me.

The Handmaid's Tale is part dystopian and part historical (at least in feel). I liked the mix. As with any political novel, I saw echos of past events as well as current events. I've very glad I don't live in this world. I am glad I read the novel. I was surprised by the calm way the story was told. Offred has a short moment of upset that bleeds through into the narration, but for the most part the emotion is removed from the story, and you feel separated from the actions. I liked that aspect of the story, and I know I related to the story more as a result.

Offred was an engaging narrator. Sometimes I wanted more details, but she likely didn't have much. The Handmaids were isolated and segregated on purpose. The Republic of Gilead is not a kind place for women, even though it tries to brainwash the women into thinking they are empowered through reproduction. Offred knows this is not true, and as a Handmaid she struggles with the mix of old she remembers and the new constraints and expectations placed on her.

This is a novel I will consider and think about for a while. It may be taken as a cautionary story by many, but I didn't see it that way. The Republic of Gilead feels close to our reality, but I don't see it as a reflection of things to come.

I recommend this novel. It will encourage you to think.

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Review: Night Study

Night Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the big reveal that came at the end of Shadow Study, it wasn't surprising that this novel continues to play off of that. Previous novels in the Study series had an end, however; the last novel and this novel did not have endings. Night Study picks up a few seconds after Shadow Study ends. I have a feeling that Dawn Study will pick up seconds after Night Study ends.

I devoured this novel. It was a fun read and the action was nonstop. Yelena, even without her magic, is a fun character. I thought this was the first novel were we really get to spend some time getting to know Valek. Shadow Study started us on the path of getting to know him, but this novel really gave us incite into his character. I liked what I learned. I almost wish the author would have split the point of view sooner so we could get to know the other characters. This time we have the addition of Leif as a narrator. I really enjoyed his narration. I didn't think I would as he sometimes came off as aloof and whiny. Janco continues as a narrator and his humor adds a light side to the novel.

I'm really looking forward to the next, and am hopeful maybe the author will keep writing in this world.

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Review: The Turncoat's Gambit

The Turncoat's Gambit by Andrea Cremer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the ending to this series. In fact, I went and found this book as soon as I finished The Conjurer's Riddle. This book was a little bit different from the previous books and it had a more balanced view of the resistance and the empire. (Wow, writing that I just realized the Star Wars connection. I can't believe I didn't notice it when I was reading the series.) The different sides both have good and bad. I appreciated seeing this.

Charlotte makes difficult decisions in this novel, and I was glad to see the ending of the book because it rang true for me. I wasn't sure how things would end between the resistance and empire, but for the characters it felt right. I'm really glad I found this series.

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Review: Shadow Study

Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this book I thought it would be fine without reading the Glass series. I quickly found that I would probably have enjoyed the story more if I had read the series first. However, I didn't feel like I should stop reading and go read the Glass series first. The main reason I didn't is because I was drawn into Yelena and Valek's story very quickly, and I found I could understand the story without them.

This novel includes Valek and Janco's points of view in addition to Yelena. I found I really liked having the additional view points. The story could take place in multiple locations and I felt like we missed less because of it. I like being where the action is. Who doesn't though?

I'm really looking forward to reading more.

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Review: The Conjurer's Riddle

The Conjurer's Riddle by Andrea Cremer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book started off a little slow, but by the end I was liking it more than I had the first book, The Inventor's Secret. Charlotte and Grave are still in danger because of who Grave is. Charlotte is now the leader for the children of the rebellion. I didn't like her unfeeling nature at the beginning when she is leading the children. Grave felt more than she did, or at least he expressed it better than she did.

Half way through Charlotte begins to feel more, as the result of a run in with death and I was able to relate to her more then, and I enjoyed the story a lot more from that point forward too.

I'm really looking forward to the next book.

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Review: The Great Unexpected

The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was slow. I never felt like the story went anywhere. There wasn't any tension in the story to make me care about the characters. It was an easy read. I finished the book because I kept hoping for something more. The reveal at the end of the story just didn't do it for me and left me feeling meh about the book.

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Review: Devil in Spring

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked parts of this book more than the others in the series, but I also found parts of it to be the most frustrating.

After helping a Pandora Ravenel, whose dress got stuck, Gabriel, Lord St. Vincent, is accused of compromising Pandora. Pandora strongly protests and says there is no way she will marry him. At first Gabriel seems to protest the idea, but when Pandora says it will ruin her life if she marries, Gabriel seems to change his mind. This didn't seem quite right to me. I understand society dictates they marry since they were caught alone together. However, it seems like maybe the romance that resulted was not as real as it could have been. I didn't believe that Gabriel changed his mind about marrying Pandora as quickly as the narrative indicates he does.

I did enjoy the book and the romance does grow and become more believable as the book progresses. I'm really enjoying the series and will look for the next when it is released.

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Review: Marrying Winterborne

Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this novel a little more than I liked the first in the series. I would recommend reading the first before you read this one as it fills in some of the back stories for the main characters Helen and Rhys.

The story didn't go where I expected it to go and that was actually a good thing in this case. I find it interesting how authors of historical romances get around the virgin bride expectation and this was an interesting way to do it. This book felt more like an ending that the previous book in the series. I'm going to look for the next novel in the series, but I don't feel like I'm missing part of the story by not running out and getting it right now.

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Review: Cold-Hearted Rake

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novel, but I don't think it is a story I will think about much now that I've finished it. I will likely read the next in the series because the characters were interesting and engaging.

Devin and Kathleen seemed to have an immediate attraction, something common in romance novels, and it took a while for me to believe it was real. Once I started believing it I really enjoyed the story. I like that the author started mixing in the story of the next novel so that you would become interested in their story and read about them.

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Review: Think Like a Freak: How to Solve Problems, win Fights and Be a Slightly Better Person

Think Like a Freak: How to Solve Problems, win Fights and Be a Slightly Better Person by Steven D. Levitt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Freakenomics years ago, and thought this one would be interesting. I enjoyed the stories and thought it was sound advice. I didn't think it was anything new, except for maybe the end.

Quitting is something many people struggle with. It is easiest to maintain the status quo but that isn't always the right thing to do. When they looked at quitting and making decisions, I thought it was interesting that people who quit were often happier. This might be the push I needed to quit and start over with something that will make me happier.

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Review: The Troublemaker Next Door

The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was an enjoyable read, but different from what I normally read. I realized reading it that while I enjoy it, I like historical romance novels more than contemporary romance.

Maddie and Flynn were fun characters, but I didn't feel like the relationship was real. It felt like it was more about the sex and less about the emotions. The author tried to make it about emotions and how the characters felt about each other, but the amount of sex and dirty talk took away from the emotions and made them seem a little less real to me.

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Review: The Spymaster's Lady

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The cover of this book does not fit with the story. Not even a little bit. I found that to be a bit disappointing. The story of Annique and Gray was interesting and I liked how they meet. Something I found very nice about the story was it was slow to reveal details about the characters. The point of view was from both Annique and Gray so we get peaks of the characters an outside observer.

I think the story moved slowly at points, and I wanted the romance to progress a little quicker. For a romance novel this was pretty tame, and the build up didn't seem to match the release at the end.

I'm not sure I will be reading more from this author. I did enjoy this novel, it just wasn't as good as I would have hoped.

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Review: The Inventor's Secret

The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this steampunk story set after the failed American war for independence. At first I didn't realize this was set in the past because it had more technology that would have been available at the time. When I realized it was set in the 1800s it was because of the talk about generations of families after the failed attempt to gain independence from Britain. I thought this was an interesting take on an alternative history.

I liked the characters in this novel. Ash, Jack, and Charlotte were fun to spend time with and I liked seeing the relationship between Jack and Charlotte change. Truthfully it had already started changing by the time the book opens. Charlotte, as the narrator, is just not ready to admit it yet so we don't see it.

I'm looking forward to continuing the series and seeing where it leads.

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Review: Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the tag on this book, "Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?" It doesn't give you the best idea of what will happen in the story, but it is a good introduction to our narrator Ismae, who is not going to be the pray. After a rough start to life, she joins the convent of St. Mortain, the god of death, and learns to become an assassin. During an assignment she has a run in with Gavriel Duval, and she is assigned to travel with him as his mistress to try and find out what treason is plaguing the Brittany court.

I liked how she has some small powers like immunity to poison, the ability to speak with souls of the dead, and the ability to see if people's souls are true. Duval was also an interesting character. At times I found Ismae to act rashly and without thinking, but Duval was steady. The contrast between them added to the enjoyment of the novel and their feelings for each other.

This novel started off a little bit slow, but it quickly picked up. I enjoyed it immensely and will look for the next in the series.

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Review: Say Yes to the Marquess

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the story and the characters. Who doesn't like a good cake fight? I enjoyed the cake fight. This was a light story and the characters were engaging and fun to spend time with. Rafe and Clio are both strong willed and want to get their way. The attraction between them is passionate yet gentle. I like it when you see multiple sides to a relationship as it grows. I did not think this novel was as strong as the first in the series, Romancing the Duke, but I still enjoyed the story.

My biggest objection to this book is the title. I thought only the oldest inherited the title, and Rafe is the second son. Thus he is not the Marquess. It just seemed like the wrong title for the book.

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Review: The Glass Maker's Daughter

The Glass Maker's Daughter by V. Briceland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book started out slow, and I felt like the vocabulary, sentence construction, and story were a little clunky. As the story progressed, around page 50, things picked up and I started really enjoying the novel. I think part of my dislike for the beginning of the novel was it was very descriptive and the story didn't feel like it was going anywhere. It took time for the story to open and the characters to develop. I wanted to like the book to start with but it wasn't until the characters started doing things that it got interesting to me.

I liked Milo, Camilla, and Risa. The story is told in third person from Risa's point of view. Risa was a little difficult at first, but she ended up being a fun character. I liked the slow romance between Risa and Milo. Camilla, Milo's older sister, was less developed, but she the one character I liked most in the story.

I liked the world the story was set in. Seven families who pledge their fealty to the crown through blowing a horn each night. This also keeps their home intact. I'll be interested to see the back story of the country developed as the series continues. I wasn't sure about this book at first, but I think I'll be reading the next in the series.

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Review: Can You Keep a Secret?

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was funny. I actually laughed out loud while I was reading it. The premise of the story is fun. Makes me think of the once a secret is out it isn't really as secret anymore. This novel plays on that to build a romance.

I sat down and read this in one sitting. Hey, it's the weekend and I needed a break. Also, it was nice getting to know these characters. Jack being Emma's boss was funny. He knows all the things she doesn't like about the office and it leads to some hilarious interactions.

This is not the best novel I've every read but I enjoyed it immensely for what it was, a light, feel good, read.

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Review: Fire Study

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure if this book would hold up after I enjoyed the last two books the the study series so much. I found I liked this one just as much. I did think Yelena might have learned to rely on people a little more.

Valek and Yelena are great characters. I find myself really enjoying their interactions and when they weren't together in the narrative I was sad. However, they spent a good deal of the novel together. I'm also glad we got to spend more time with Leaf in this book.

Lastly, Kiki is an amazingly smart horse.

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Review: After You

After You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This review contains spoilers for book one in the series.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. I loved the audio book version of Me Before You and I just wasn't sure how a second book could add to the story. I ended up really liking this story, and I think seeing the grieving process added something to the story that I had not thought of before. Grief is all around us and it is often silent and not acknowledged. This book showed a different side, one I think is more realistic.

Lou is a fun but different character in this novel. I liked seeing her get over Will and move on with her life as he would have wanted. While I did not need this novel and didn't think it was as strong as the first novel, I still enjoyed the audio book immensely. I know many people aren't recommending the book but I think it worth seeing Lou engaging with life again and opening up again. Also, Sam is a great character. I would recommend this book because it adds nicely to the story.

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Review: Magic Study

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes I need a break after reading a book in a series before I start the next one. This series did not feel that way to me. I wanted more of Yelena and Valek. This book had a different feeling than the first book did, but I still enjoyed it. I want to jump right into the next book in the series after finishing this one.

The setting is interesting and the characters are well developed. I enjoyed seeing Sitia after getting to know Ixia in the last novel. The two countries are very different, and I can see the appeal in each.

I have one thing that struck me as a little off in this book and the first. At the end of the first book the relationship between Yelena and Valek starts, and I had a hard time with Valek calling Yelena "love". I'm not sure why but it didn't quite sound right to me. Valek's dialogue sounds natural but I have a hard time with him calling someone "love." It started to feel a little more natural in this book. The relationship between Yelena and Valek, it's just that one word that caught me as off for the character. I am really enjoying their relationship, and I'm looking forward to it developing further in the last novel.

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Review: Merrow

Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Small and full of lore this book tells a darker story of finding the truth that fits. The story is set on an island that is isolated and as only isolated places can be full of stories to explain odd happenings.

Neen is 12 years old and our narrator. As she is coming of age she struggles with her mother's disappearance and her own skin condition. Her Aunt has separated them from the town and they live a relatively isolated life. This was a slow story and darker than I would have expected from a child narrator. I enjoyed that the story did not take the mythical mermaid story and turn it into more than a story.

The sea in this story is almost a character in and of itself and the setting was magical while still being very real. I am glad I pick this book up to read, but I'm not sure I'll be reading more by the author. It is different from what I normally enjoy and while good it was a little dark for my current taste.

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Review: Poison Study

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yelena is set to be killed for murder when she is given the choice to become the food taster. She takes it. She then trains with Valek, the Commander's valued adviser, assassin, and it seems friend, to identify different poisons and taste the food.

The story is told from the first person so it takes a while to get to know the different characters. As Yelena starts to trust Valek so does the reader. As the story progresses we get to see Yelena gain confidence while making the best of a not so good situation.

There was a little romance which developed slowly. I didn't think the age of the second main was ever given.

This was a good story and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Review: Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover

Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the close to the series. What I liked about these series was that we had a close with each book and the next book came back to follow a different owner of the Gaming Hell.

This book follows Chase the elusive founder of the Fallen Angel. It was interesting to see get hints about Chase throughout the previous novels and to finally see things from her perspective. Georgina was an interesting character in her many different disguises. Duncan West the newspaper man who was present in past novels as well is the love interest. I enjoyed the romance and the struggle for power between the two characters.

I'm a little sad to see the end of this series. The Fallen Angel was a fun setting and the idea of secrets ruling London society was very intriguing.

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Review: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been enjoying the stories of the owners of the Fallen Angel. This time we have the story of Temple, the Killer Duke, who supposedly killed his father's much younger bride on the eve of their wedding. After 12 years, Mara comes back to save what she has build for herself.

I enjoyed the tension and release that build up between Mara and Temple. It was nice to see Bourne and Penelope, and Cross and Pippa again.

This book started a little slowly for me but by the middle I was engrossed and really enjoying the build of the romance between the characters.

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Review: The Duke's Disaster

The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable historical romance. I wasn't sure about the reveal at the end, and the uncertainty made the build up to it worth while.

I liked Thea and Noah, but their lack of communication lead to a lot of misunderstandings that could have been avoided. There might not have been a book without these misunderstandings, but it did feel a little forced to me. I did enjoy the characters and I thought the novel was worth reading.

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Review: The Rogue Not Taken

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sophie had enough of the London society and a mistake leads to her escaping the city. When the Marquess of Eversley, King, is returning home for the first time in fifteen years the last thing he expects is to find one of the society ladies hiding as his footman. Lady Sophie's and her sisters are the darlings of the gossip pages and Sophie has never wanted a part of that.

The relationship between Sophie and King was fun to watch develop. I like strong characters and Sophia was a strong woman. She spoke her mind and she stood up for what she believed. This was a fun read.

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Review: Because of Miss Bridgerton

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was not familiar with Julia Quinn. I enjoy historical romances and this one fit in very nicely. I'll be looking for more novels by Julia Quinn.

Billie Bridgerton is strong willed, and she does not like to be thought of as incapable of things men can do. She is also a little bit of a smart ass. I liked that about her. The novel was light and had just the right amount of tension build up before the release at the end.

I absolutely loved the opening with the mean cat on the roof. It fit the story perfectly. While nothing in the book surprised me I didn't want to put the book down, so much so that I wondered about taking a paper book into the shower for about 10 seconds before the rational part of my brain kicked in and said you can pick it back up when you get out. This was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading more novels by this author.

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Review: Lolita

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I feel a little weird giving a book with such a despicable narrator a five star rating. However, the book is extremely well written and I really enjoyed listening to the audio book. This is not a love story, do not be confused. It is the story of obsession and brutality, but it does have a sensual side.

I knew from very early on in the story that HH was not a reliable narrator. I felt dread when I knew what was coming, but some how I still found myself feeling compassion for HH. I didn't want to feel compassion or anything else towards the narrator, but I found I did. I think the opening of the novel had a big impact on how I reacted to the rest of the novel. It created that opening that made HH into a narrator the reader is drawn to. That doesn't mean at times you don't want to scream at the narrator for being a brute, I did. He was horrible, but yet I was still taken in by his story.

I am torn by this novel. It was easy to listen to and the story did an amazing job telling HH's story in a way that the reader relates to him. I understand why this novel is considered a classic. I also understand why it is considered controversial. I think this novel will continue to be read long into the future and future readers will feel just as conflicted as we do now.

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Review: Dark Tide

Dark Tide by Jennifer Donnelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book focused less on Serafina's story and more on the rest of the girls. I found that I really enjoyed Astrid and wanted to read more about her. This book delved into the backstories of Ling, Astrid, and Becca. We got to see a little of Ava, but not as much as we did Astrid and Ling.

The story switches between the different characters as the travel home or travel to search for the talisman which was hidden in their part of the ocean. As they travel we get to see a little more of the world underwater. This story is very character driven, so occasionally I felt like the setting was lacking. However, I didn't think it took away from the story, and I really am looking forward to continuing this series.

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Review: Truthwitch

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book followed four primary characters. The first chapters were a little slow as the author introduced the characters. The world is one where their are witches, who can control different parts or the world. The world was not explained fully and we learned about the world as we traveled through it with the different characters. I appreciated that it unfolded slowly.

I found this world engaging and I'm glad I found this book. I'm looking forward to seeing the relationships develop and the world come to life. I'll definitely be looking for the next book in the series and more novels by this author.

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Review: Glass Sword

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We are haunted by the past and it could all shatter like glass if we examine it to closely.

Mare is haunted by her actions, but she isn't ready to trust anyone to help her. I thought that was a reasonable response to what she went through in the first novel. This novel had more action and movement than the first novel, which I liked. I enjoyed both novels and I think the character development in this was good. I'm looking forward to reading the next.

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Review: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Philippa is about to marry an earl, and she is concerned about more secretive matters of marriage. She turns to one of her brother-in-law's associates for help. Cross has many secrets, of course he does there wouldn't be a story if he didn't, and he does not want to become entangled with Lady Philippa. However, that is exactly what happens. I'm enjoying this series immensely. It is set in a gaming hell in London, and polite society women like Pippa don't know what they are getting into when they enter the Angle uninvited. Or maybe that do.

Again this was very enjoyable, and the romantic tension was worth every minute.

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Review: Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Growing up I reads a few of Diana Wynne Jones' other novels, but I had not read this one. I love the anime movie that was made from the book, and when I picked up the book hoped that I would not regret reading this. I was surprised to find that the movie and the book were different enough that I could enjoy them both.

I would have loved this book if I had read it when I was in middle school. As an adult it was very good and worth reading. It just didn't have the depth and complexity I expected.

If you like the movie this book is worth giving a go. It is a light and enjoyable read.

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Review: Salt to the Sea

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With any historical fictions novel you go in knowing what will happen. Although this was a maritime tragedy I knew nothing about going into this book. I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't connected to the characters enough to care about the ending. I'm glad I read the novel, because I learned a little more about WWII of which I was previously unaware.

We have four different narrators, and the only one I had any strong feelings about was Alfred. I didn't like him at all. Joana, Florian, and Emilia were likable but they didn't have a pull that would have made me feel strongly one way or another about what happened to them. Don't get me wrong, I liked the novel. I just thought it could have been better.

Given the setting this could have been a real tear jerker, but it wasn't. I was surprised. I wanted to care enough about the characters to cry but I didn't. This book has it's place and it is well written. I just thought it would have been better if the characters were a little more relatable.

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Review: Romancing the Duke

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novel was fun. Izzy Goodnight is down on her luck when she inherits a castle from a lover of her father's stories. When she arrives at the castle she has a ferret and the clothes on her back. Her determination to stay at the castle even when the Duke living there wants to kick her out leads to a fun romance.

I enjoyed relationship between Ransom and Izzy. It doesn't start out as romantic but as a struggle between two very strong willed individuals. This story was more than I expected it to be. I expected a silly light read, and it was silly and light but it was more than that. The characters had depth, and they grew as the story did.

I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.

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Review: A Rogue by Any Other Name

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was funny, sweet, and dangerous. It had all the elements for a good romance. There were problems with the book, but I found I was willing to forgive them because I really liked our main characters Penelope and Bourne.

The first line of this novel made me laugh, "The eight of diamonds ruined him." and I found myself laughing throughout the novel. Yes, this was a romance and there were lovely moments of pleasure, but it was also funny. I really appreciated that, and will be reading the rest in the series.

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Review: Red Queen

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not expect this book to take the direction it did. It felt dystopian to me but I'm not sure if it was. I'd like to know how there are two colors of blood silver and red. It is just a given in the story but it seems like something important that wasn't addressed. Maybe it will be in the rest of the series.

I really liked the characters. Mare was stubborn, and didn't give up when she was taken from her world and thrown into the world of the Silvers. Cal held my interest because I never know what to expect from him. This was because Mare didn't know either. I did like their relationship.

This book almost had a love square. (Is that even a thing when there is only one girl?) I won't say more than that, but where normally this would have bothered me in a novel I did not find it annoying in this story.

Overall, the characters were enjoyable and the story was engaging. I did think the book left a lot of questions, but I guess that is why it is part of a series. I will be continuing the series.

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Review: The Trouble with Dukes

The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the first book I've read by Grace Burrowes, so I'm not familiar with the characters in this novel, but many of them have been in her past books. This book was an enjoyable read. Yes, it had a predictable ending, but I wouldn't have been happy if the main characters hadn't ended up together.

Hamish, the Duke of Murdoch, and Megan Windham were characters that I enjoyed spending a book with. Hamish is haunted by his time in the war and has not fully moved on. However, after meeting Megan he finds himself fighting a different kind of battle. I found the comparison of the London season to a war amusing. This book had the romance and the passion that I like, but it wasn't over the top. I'll be looking for more books by the author.

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