Book Review - All Eyes on Her by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

 

All Eyes on Her by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is about Abby, a teenager accused of murdering her boyfriend, Mark. Abby and Mark’s story is a love story like any other teenage romance. Mark is a college student who swims competitively. He falls head over heels for Abby, a high schooler with a notorious reputation. Their relationship seems perfect at the beginning, but then the cracks begin to show. However, can the imperfections in their relationship justify the death of one of them? 

The pair go hiking into the woods to have a picnic near an iconic cliff. However, only Abby emerges from the woods claiming that Mark accidentally fell off the cliff to his death. Many people believe that Abby maliciously pushed Mark, while others believe that Mark got what he deserved. 

The novel is told from multiple points of view except from Abby’s. It was interesting to see how she and Mark were portrayed by their friends and family.  I wonder if this was a social commentary on the part of the author, in that when something horrendous occurs, your voice really does not matter because everyone else has already formed an opinion about what happened. I liked trying to piece together the clues that each narrator shared and tried to figure out what happened on that fateful day. However, the novel moved very slowly and it got boring because no new clues or developments were added. I was disappointed that the ending didn’t prove to be a satisfying ending to me because it leaves more questions than answers.

Book Review - Direwood by Catherine Yu

 

 

 

In Catherine Yu’s debut novel Direwood, the novel takes place in a small idyllic town in the 1990s. Aja is a sixteen year old Asian girl who feels different and out of place in her community. She is unable to connect with others as easily as her older sister, Fiona. Everything changes when her beloved sister goes missing the day after her birthday party. Days before Fiona disappears, Aja has a foreboding feeling that something bad is going to happen. She sees signs of malice in everyday occurrences such as trees being infected by caterpillars and the rain being the color of blood.

Aja is desperate to find her sister. She receives the answer to her prayers when a vampire, Padraic, shows up to her window one night. Padraic is a chance for Aja to find her sister along with providing her with the opportunity for freedom from her overbearing community. Aja is enthralled with Padraic as he tells her that she is pretty and special, things Aja yearns to hear.  

Aja decides to go with Padraic to his nest deep in the forest with the condition that she can leave whenever she wants. However, Aja isn’t planning to leave without her idolized sister. As Aja spends time with Padraic in the dilapidated church that is surrounded by a deadly fog and bloodsucking butterflies, Aja realizes that Padraic has secrets that he is keeping from her as well. Will Aja be able to find her sister and escape Padraic’s hold on her?

The book had tons of eerie gothic themes that were spellbinding and alluring to read. The author used lush descriptions to describe the scenery and Aja’s inner turmoil. Aja was stuck between being enraptured by Padraic and having a sense of being wanted and belonging with her need to find her sister. It was interesting reading about how Aja was struggling with choosing the best course of action.

Aja was an interesting character. I commiserate with her need of being the odd duck but, at times, her character felt one-dimensional. She came across as selfish, in that she stated that she wanted to rescue her sister, but made little progress in her actual goal. I felt that she was hard on her friend when they were trying to help her. Aja seemed self-absorbed and stuck in her world failing to realize the danger that was around her. When the time came for action, she seemed like a deer caught in headlights. I also didn’t like that she consistently claimed others were ruining her chances to make her escape.

The author created a descriptive and atmospheric read but the novel lacked a strong story line. The days would progress and there would be little to no development in the story. At times, it felt boring and repetitive after reading various inner thoughts of how Aja thought Padraic was hot. I wished there was more world building and explanations.  Some concepts were introduced, such as the caterpillars and butterflies, but were never fully developed. If you like slow burn horror novels, then you might enjoy this book, otherwise I would skip it.

 

Book Review - Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

 

Beverly and her six year old son, Tommie, flee their home during the middle of the night. Beverly is determined to start a new life after leaving her abusive husband behind. She has to be on guard in case, her husband finds her and takes them back home. Beverly becomes on edge when Tommie insists that he is hearing someone call his name and when a mysterious truck keeps parking in her driveway, Beverly will need to act quick if she is planning to escape again.

Colby Mills gave up his career as a musician to run his family's small farm in North Carolina. He decides to take a working vacation and head to St. Pete Beach, Florida to play at a local bar. While playing at the bar, he crosses paths with Morgan Lee and he finds himself falling for her.

Morgan is from an affluent family of doctors from Chicago. She graduated from a prestigious music program and wants to head to Nashville and break into the industry. When she meets Colby, she finds herself falling for him. However, is she willing to give up her dream to be with him?

This was my first time reading a book by the author. I can see why people enjoy his writing but, this book wasn't for me. The book moved so slowly and the surprise ending was predictable. The book dragged on forever until the ending where everything is tied up nicely. I did enjoy reading Beverly's story line but, felt that Colby's and Morgan's was boring. I don't think I will be in a rush to read any of his other books after reading this dud.

Book Review - Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar

 

In the summer of 1988, a small Maryland town community is shaken to it's core when the mutilated bodies of several young girls begin to show up. The police believe that there is a serial killer terrorizing the quiet suburban town. Local residents believe that there is an evil presence stalking young girls and that's its not entirely human. Law enforcement, however, is certain that the killer is human and that he is playing a game with the police. The once peaceful community is on edge because the police is no closer to find the killer and more bodies keep showing up.

Richard Chizmar is a recent college graduate who returns home right around the time of the murders. As Richard tries to focus on his upcoming wedding and his budding writing career, he finds himself entwined with the murders. Inspired by real events, Richard documents his personal account of the serial killer's reign of terror in his small community.

This was my first book by, the author and I am surprised on how much I enjoyed it. At first, I was kind of annoyed by all the small personal details about Richard's life as I wanted to know all the nitty gritty of the murders. However, after reading the author's note at the end, it added whole new layer to this book. The author seamlessly blended true crime and fiction in a book that was hard to put down once the murders started happening. I thought the novel was going to have some scary elements but, a scary house was mentioned and nothing came out it. There were some parts of the story that didn't get resolved in the end. The story ended with the author waiting for the second interview with the murderer but, I wish the author could have included more details about the numbers behind the murders. I feel like the story was a bit unresolved because we didn't know the entire story behind the murders. Overall, it was an interesting read but, I could have done without some of the extra details.

Book Review - Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw

 

Cate is a set designer in her early forties. She lives and works in Chicago's theater community. She know she has to grow up and stop taking handouts from her parents. She has a plan in place to fix her financial problems and settle in a serious relationship.

She started a relationship even though she still coming to terms with an old affair that went nowhere. Her ex-husband is currently living with her in her spare bedroom after being kicked out of his house. He spends most of the day searching and reading about online conspiracy theories. Cate sees him spiral out of control but, she is unsure of how to help him. Her best friend, Neale, a yoga instructor who lives nearby with her son. Cate feels that Neale is the ideal model for what being a grownup should look like. 

A few blocks away lives Nathan and Irene who are small time criminals and drug addicts. Their worlds collide when Cate sees them assaulting Neale in her kitchen. Cate has to think fast to take action to save her friend. Cate's world changes overnight when she comes to term with the violence she's capable of.

I originally picked up this book because I thought the cover looked interesting. However, I feel like the book was very boring and just dragged along. I felt like I read more than half of the book and it went nowhere. I didn't like any of the characters and found the main character to be annoying.  I had to recheck the synopsis of the book because the assault doesn't take place until more than halfway of the book.

Book Review - The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager

 

The girls at Camp Nightingale play a game called "Two Truths and a Lie". Vivian, Natalie, and Allison are all veterans at the camp and Emma Davis is a first time camper and the youngest of the group. All the fun and games end when Emma awakes in the middle of the night to see the others sneak out of the cabin under the cloak of darkness. The last time any of the girls were seen was when Emma saw Vivian closing the door behind her and signalling Emma to keep it a secret.

Few years later, Emma is huge on the art scene. Her massive canvases portray the wilderness covering up ghostly shapes in white dresses. One of her painting catches the attention of Francesca Harris-White, who is the wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale.  Franny asks Emma to return to the newly reopened camp as their painting instructor. Emma is hesitant to return but, she sees this as an opportunity to find out more about her friends and seek closure.

When Emma returns to camp again, she feels like she's transported to the past as she is assigned to the same cabin. She notices that the only security camera on the property is pointed directly at her door. She finds cryptic clues that Vivian had left behind about the camp's twisted origins. As she digs into the past, she finds herself confronted by threats in the present. 

I thought the novel was an interesting read but, I felt like it was moving a bit slower than I would have liked. The reader is taken on a drawn out ride and was given small nuggets at a time to keep you reading. The ending was a surprise but, it left me with a few questions and I am questioning how plausible the plot was. However, I would still be interested in reading other books by the author.

Book Review - Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan

 

Ezra Ahern wakes up one day and his entire life has turns upside down. His beloved older sister, Bea, has disappeared. She left without even saying good bye to anyone. Bea left behind a cryptic email address hidden somewhere only he could be able to find. Ezra never expected that Bea would leave him alone to deal with their abusive stepfather and mother.

Bea Ahern knew that she needed to get as far away from home as she could for her sanity. When she receives an email she realizes that she is alone in a new city without a real plan and the person she is looking for might not want to be found.

As thing spiral out of control, Bea and Ezra share secrets about their past that will change them forever. They realize that they might be apart but connected through their emails. They come to terms with the abuse that they endured and realize they need to face their own demons before they can be reunited.

The novel is a heart warming and thoughtful read. I reading the email exchange between the two siblings and was hoping for them to get their happy ending. I think the authors did a great job talking about abusive and neglectful parents along with touching on the insecurities the children might feel. The book was a great read and I look forward to reading other books from the authors.

Book Review - Bluebird by Sharon Cameron + Giveaway

 

In  1946, Eva was given the opportunity to leave behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City. Eva managed to escape the aftermath of the war but, ends up being a pawn in a struggle for power and intelligence. Eva knows the details behind a secret powerful project called Bluebird. Project Bluebird encapsulates the knowledge gained from performing mind experiments on people in the concentration camps. The knowledge can be deadly and tip the scale of power if landed in the wrong hands. Both the Americans and the Soviets want the details of the project and are willing to stop at nothing to get it.

Eva didn't come to America to be a pawn for the Americans or the Soviets. She doesn't want a new life either. She wants justice against one specific Nazi that managed to escape justice for their crimes. Eva is willing to put everything on the line to get it.

I thought the book was an interesting historic read. I never knew about project Bluebird specifically so, it was interesting to learn more about it from the author's notes. The narrative and the character interactions were confusing at times to follow along and long winded. I felt that some of the interaction between Eva and Jake didn't feel authentic at times. Overall, it's a good book for readers who love historic fiction novels.

 **Disclosure -  I received an unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 

 

 About the Book:

Title: BLUEBIRD

Author: Sharon Cameron

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 464

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD,  Bookshop.org

Author of Reese's Book Club YA Pick The Light in Hidden Places, Sharon Cameron, delivers an emotionally gripping and utterly immersive thriller, perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys's Salt to the Sea.

A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.

In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird -- a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.

But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net.

 

Grab The Light in Hidden Places now!

  

About Sharon:

SHARON CAMERON’s debut novel The Dark Unwinding was awarded the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Sue Alexander Award for Most Promising New Work and the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and was named a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection. Sharon is also the author of its sequel, A Spark Unseen; Rook, which was selected as an Indiebound Indie Next List Top Ten selection, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, and a Parents' Choice gold medalist; and The Forgetting, a #1 New York Times bestseller and an Indie Next Pick of the List selection, and its companion novel, The Knowing. The Light in Hidden Places received two starred reviews, was a Reese's YA Book Club pick, and received fantastic media coverage for Sharon's strong research and affecting prose. It has sold in 14 languages. Sharon lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee and can be found at sharoncameronbooks.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of BLUEBIRD. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/21/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
9/22/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
9/22/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/23/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/23/2021	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Review
9/24/2021	Book-Keeping	Review
9/25/2021	Just Another Reader	Review

Week Two:

9/26/2021	Review Thick & Thin	Review
9/27/2021	Balancing Books and Bottles with	Review
9/28/2021	Fire and Ice	Review
9/28/2021	The Pages In-Between	Review
9/29/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review
9/30/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
9/30/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
10/1/2021	Momfluenster	Review
10/1/2021	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
10/2/2021	@Curlygrannylovestoread	Review

Week Three:

10/3/2021	Two Points of Interest	Review
10/4/2021	Lisa Loves Literature	Review
10/4/2021	@minnesota_mailer	Review

Book Review - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

 

Nitta Sayuri tells her story of her life as a geisha as she reminisces in her old age. Her story began in 1929 in a small poverty filled fishing village. She was nine-year-old girl with beautiful unusual colored eyes. Her father made the decision to sell her and her sister into slavery to a geisha house. There she transforms from a young girl into a young woman learning the rigorous arts of being a geisha.  She learns the art of dance and music while entertaining her clients. While at the geisha house she has to learn to deal with a dangerous rival who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

The book was an enchanting read and it felt like we were getting a glimpse of a previously unknown world. The novel did move a bit slowly in the beginning and it felt a bit rushed in the end but, I thought it was an enjoyable read. I liked reading about Sayuri's journey but, towards the end of the novel I didn't care for her. I understand that she was trying to take control of her life but, I felt like she treated people like pawns. Overall, I can see why this book is a fan favorite.

Book Review - This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

Its a cold winter day in 1867 and Eliza Caine decides that she is ready for a new challenge. She reads an ad for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall and she decides its the change she needs. When she traveling to her new home, she is shaken by an accident that occurs during her trip. However, she tries to move on from the occurrence when she meets her new wards, Isabella and Eustace. 

Upon her arrival and meeting the children, she realizes that there is no adult present with the children or any sign of her mysterious employer. The children are hesitant to speak about their parents and she is met with an similar experience with the townspeople. Eliza tries to get some sleep and decides to tackle the issue tomorrow but, she feels a foreboding presence in her room. She knows that something is very wrong at Gaudlin Hall.

Eliza tries to discount her experience from the previous night. However, she keeps feeling that something is following her. Eliza realizes that if is she and the children are to survive the violent ghost, that she will need to uncover the history behind the evil presence. Will Eliza be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?

The book was an interesting tale but, was poorly executed. While reading the novel, it reminded me of older Gothic stories I have read and I was surprised that the book was published in 2013. I thought the novel moved a bit slowly for my taste.I felt like details were used to draw out the novel in place of actual story details. Eliza is portrayed as a smart woman but, I felt like she did some questionable things. Perhaps, I should be more understanding as she seems to be grieving and the job seems to be something out of her realm of experience. The ending and "secret" was predictable and I was able to figure it out quickly.

Book Review - Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty + Giveaway

 

Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran species. They are an ancient race of forest people that have lived in the Great Smoky Mountain since the trees have grown there.  However, a crew of human loggers have arrived and are cutting down and destroying the forest she loves at an alarming rate. Willa feels powerless as she is unable to stop them. She doesn't know how she will be able to stop them as they have powerful machines and she is just one girl.

Willa tries to get a closer look at the loggers and tries to devise a plan to stop the deforestation. She comes across these mysterious creatures that are beautiful and elusive until, she realizes they are hunting humans. Willa struggles to decide if unleashing these dangerous spirits is the only course of action she has to stopping the loggers. She will have to find a way to save the people and animals she loves while taking a stand against the loggers and the darkness that is threatening to destroy her world.

This is the second novel in the series but, I felt that this novel can be read as a standalone. The book is heartbreaking and an exciting read. The book has many great lessons including, respecting nature and focusing on the group mindset instead of thinking of only yourself. I liked all the characters and thought they were beautifully written including, Charka. I hope this isn't the end of the series and that they make a series from the book!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.**

  

About the Book:

Title: WILLA OF DARK HOLLOW

Author: Robert Beatty

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 384

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Young nightspirit Willa discovers an ancient, powerful magic deep in the forest in the enchanting companion to Robert Beatty's instant #1 New York Times best-seller, Willa of the Wood.

This enchanting companion to Robert Beatty's instant #1 New York Times bestseller Willa of the Wood is perfect for any reader who cares deeply about the natural world. 

Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran, an ancient race of forest people who have lived in the Great Smoky Mountains for as long as the trees have grown there. But as crews of newly arrived humans start cutting down great swaths of the forest she loves, she is helpless to stop them. How can she fight the destroyers of the forest and their powerful machines?

When Willa discovers a mysterious dark hollow filled with strange and beautiful creatures, she comes to realize that it contains a terrifying force that seems to be hunting humans. Is unleashing these dangerous spirits the key to stopping the loggers? Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against a consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world.

Praise for Willa of the Wood:

"Willa of the Wood will grip readers from its first page... Willa is... an admirable protagonist."—Culturess

"A moving, atmospheric journey of hope."—Kirkus Reviews

"Beatty conjures up a resourceful, compassionate heroine. Full of atmospheric details and richly described magic... this well-paced tale asks insightful questions about the relationship between nature and humans."—Publishers Weekly

"The heroine is an appealing character... and her anguish is clear as she wavers between frightened self-preservation and her desire to help her friends."—School Library Journal

"Willa is a strong and likable creature of the natural world, and seamlessly represents themes of loyalty, tradition, family, and stewardship of the Earth in this engaging story."—School Library Connection

Accolades:

2018 Goodreads Choice Awards: Middle Grade, finalist

2018 Cybils Award, Elementary Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Nominee

Amazon: Best Children's Books of 2018, ages 9-12

Imagination Soup: Best Middle Grade Chapter Books of 2018

BNKids: July's Best Books for Young Readers, selection (2018)

Brightly: 9 Middle Grade Books for Environmentally Conscious Kids, selection (2018)

PopSugar: The Best books for Kids in 2018, as Voted by Actual Kids and Parents Who Read Them, selection

A Mighty Girl: 2018 Books of the Year, ages 9-12

 

GRAB WILLA OF THE WOOD NOW!

 

Willa of the Wood and Willa of Dark Hollow are being adapted into a multi-season, live-action television series!

 

About Robert:

Robert Beatty is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Serafina series and the Willa of the Wood series published by Disney Hyperion. Loved by young readers and adults alike, the Serafina and Willa books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide and have been translated into over 22 languages. Robert lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, “The Serafina and Willa books grew out of my desire to write stories about unusual and heroic young girls for my three daughters."

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of WILLA OF DARK HOLLOW, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2021

BookHounds YA

Excerpt

Week Two:

5/2/2021	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
5/3/2021	jillpiscitello	Excerpt
5/4/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
5/5/2021	Nerdophiles	Review
5/6/2021	Jenguerdy	Review
5/7/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review
5/8/2021	Amani’s Reviews	Review

Week Three:

5/9/2021	Little Red Reads	Review
5/10/2021	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
5/11/2021	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review
5/12/2021	Emelie's Books	Review
5/13/2021	Books and Zebras	Review
5/14/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
5/15/2021	michellemengsbookblog	Review

Week Four:

5/16/2021	two points of interest	Review
5/17/2021	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
5/18/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
5/19/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
5/20/2021	Haunted By Books	Review
5/21/2021	The Momma Spot	Review
5/22/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review

Week Five:

5/23/2021	The Try Everything	Excerpt
5/24/2021	Musing of Souls	Review
5/25/2021	Popthebutterfly	Review
5/26/2021	more.books.yes.please	Review
5/27/2021	DearRivarie	Review
5/28/2021	Momfluenster	Review
5/29/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt

Week Six:

5/30/2021	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt
5/31/2021	Do You Dog-ear?	Review