Harlequin has been so gracious as to allow me review an ARC of this novel, through Netgalley, prior to its release in two days, on April 26th.  The synopsis is as follows: 

NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEAD.

NEVER STRAY FROM HALLOWED GROUND.

NEVER GET CLOSE TO THE HAUNTED.

NEVER, EVER TEMPT FATE.

My father’s rules.

I’ve never broken them…until now.

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

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This was a really chilling tale.  I admit I was freaked out on more than one occasion, and ended up sleeping with the lights on… Stevens has a gift for writing scary tales, and she has really endeared herself to me.  This novel has it all: crime, intrigue, cover-ups, murder, a secret society, underground tunnels, forbidden romance, and ghosts.  It doesn’t get much better than that!  I love that this story is written for adults; I feel like I haven’t come across many ghost stories that aren’t YA, and it’s a nice change of pace.  I learned a lot about graveyards and symbolism and, I know it’s a bit morbid, but I loved it.  The background of Oak Grove Cemetery, and the people buried there, is extremely interesting  and I was drawn in as Amelia researched the cemetery, coming across shady characters and seemingly unrelated tidbits of information, only to connect them all in the end.

Stevens does a wonderful job keeping reader interest while the plot unfolds, adding many twists to the story.  It was impossible to put this novel down, and I found myself reading late into the night.  I loved the constant twists and turns as multiple murders are uncovered and ghosts attempt to make contact with Amelia.  Stevens does a wonderful job enveloping her novel in mystery and everyone becomes a suspect.  The ending was shocking, and I especially love that Stevens doesn’t give anything away; I was kept guessing until the very end.  While not all my questions were answered and there are some loose ties, I believe these will be tackled in the next installment of the series, and I just can’t wait to unveil the secrets of Amelia’s father and mother, as well as those of The Order of the Coffin and Claw, an underground group that seems to delve in the dark arts!   Four stars!    

There are rules for dealing with ghosts. Too bad Ree Hutchins doesn’t know them.

When her favorite patient at a private mental hospital passes away, psychology student Ree Hutchins mourns the elderly woman’s death. But more unsettling is her growing suspicion that something unnatural is shadowing her.

Amateur ghost hunter Hayden Priest believes Ree is being haunted. Even Amelia Gray, known in Charleston as The Graveyard Queen, senses a gathering darkness. Driven by a force she doesn’t understand, Ree is compelled to uncover an old secret and put abandoned souls to rest—before she is locked away forever….

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I don’t know how to rate this novella.  On its own, I’d give it a 4/5 because it’s a really great read that will have you reeling after it concludes.  It’s very short, but packed with suspense and is extremely creepy.  It does leave the reader with many questions though, but as it’s a prequel, I was under the impression that the answers would be revealed in The Restorer.  This, unfortunately, is not the case.  Actually, the prequel and The Restorer seem to have little in common aside from the fact that Oak Grove Cemetery is a hotspot for activity, Amelia and Devlin are characters in both stories, and there is a mysterious group of elite that go by the name of The Order of the Coffin and the Claw.  Yet, neither Amelia nor Devlin play a big part in the prequel, as they do in The Restorer, and The Order is never fully explained in either text.  While the cemetery is eluded too through unexplained events, that too is vaguely touched upon in the prequel.  Instead, The Abandoned deals with two main characters, Ree and Hayden—a student and a paranormal investigator.  While the story surrounding these two characters is interesting and even frightening, it is not fully concluded, and these characters and events are never mentioned in The Restorer, making me wonder what the real purpose of the novella plays in the series.  It is apparent that those in The Order of the Coffin and the Claw take part in scary rituals and delve in the dark arts, covering up for each other, but anything beyond that is still a mystery. 

I really did like the novella but, after having read The Restorer, I am saddened that there is not more of a connection between the two stories.  Of course, I suggest reading The Abandoned, but keep in mind that it really isn’t a precursor of events in the main novel and, therefore, not mandatory to understand The Restorer.  Either way, I did enjoy The Abandoned; I just wish it had more to do with the actual story in The Restorer.

Currently, The Abandoned is a free download at Amazon online, though I don’t know how long that will last—perhaps only until The Restorer releases on April 26th.  I highly suggest picking it up, especially since it’s free—you can always read it later on, either before or after The Restorer.  Stay tuned tomorrow for my review of The Restorer—which I loved (until then, go download this novella).  Three and a half stars for this novella!

From Barnes and Nobel:  As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

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I began this novel with trepidation as the synopsis didn’t draw me in.  I actually only picked it up because, last spring, I needed one more book in my cart to obtain free shipping, so I sent a request out over facebook.  The first response was from a co-worker of mine stating that Water for Elephants was the best book she ever read.  So, I added it to my queue and achieved free shipping.  When the book came, I lovingly put it on my shelf, and that’s where it sat for a few months.  Then, one day when I couldn’t find anything else to read, I finally picked it up.  I have one word for this novel: PHENOMENAL!!  Have you ever noticed that the novels you put off always end up being the best ones?  This happens to me all the time.  I did the same thing with The Hunger Games, letting it get dusty on the shelf, and then I read it and just wanted to kick myself for putting it off for so long.  My new motto is that, if I don’t want to read it right now, I better read it right now because it’s going to be phenomenal.  So far, that motto hasn’t steered me wrong.

But anyway, back to the novel.  I LOVE this book.  I was instantly enveloped by the mystery of the prologue, in which a murder takes place.  I’m not giving anything away, even though I really want to, but I will say that, when you come across this same section in the novel later, you need to read it carefully. 

The first chapter of the novel speeds ahead to the present, where a bitter Jacob Jankowski, the protagonist, resides in a nursing home, alone and forsaken by his family.  The writing style that Gruen evokes is extremely powerful, and her seamless change between past and present is breathtaking.  As the story builds, Gruen unveils tiny snippets of the past and present to further engage the reader, and I loved every minute of it.

It is obvious that a lot of love and care went into writing and researching this novel, and Gruen is able to place the reader in the center of the Great Depression as the story unfolds.  As I read, the world around me disappeared and I became enveloped in the circus life.  The writing is so detailed and descriptive that you can almost hear and smell it all, and Gruen’s characters are realistic and wonderfully developed.  I love them all… even the ones I hated as I read.  If you read nothing else for the rest of your life, at least read this novel–if I gave more than five star ratings, it’d be the book to get more than five!

With the book being so phenomenal, I approached the movie the same way I originally approached the novel: with trepidation.  It is a very rare occurrence for a movie to be as good as the book, and with Robert Pattinson taking the lead, I was wary of this movie.  However, I was happily surprised.  Water for Elephants is an extraordinary movie, and one I can’t wait to see again and again!  Like Gruen’s writing, the movie is fluid and beautifully produced.  Francis Lawrence, the director, has taken this novel to a new level with his visuals, adaptation, and cast.  Everyone, including Pattinson, delivers an award winning performance and I was in awe as I watched.  Lawrence makes the novel come alive before your eyes in his breathtaking adaptation, and although there are discrepancies between the movie and the novel, as there always are, Lawrence did an amazing job portraying the novel on screen.  I highly recommend seeing this movie as it’s just that amazing, but, as always, I suggest reading the novel first.  Five stars all around!

From Orca Soundings:  Erin sucked in a sharp breath. “And I know you, Nick, because I can smell the stink of trash anywhere.”
Shut up, Erin, I thought. Just shut up. Let them shave your head and get it over with. Nick bent over and grabbed Erin by the jaw, pulling her up so she was sitting. She was shaking. There was a smirk on his face, and I could hear how hard he was breathing. He pushed his mask up onto the top of his head.

Kevin has to do the right thing.

Kevin Frasier is in a new high school—his fourth in the last year. He is trying to get along and not cause any waves. When he falls in with Nick and his friends, Frasier ends up going along as the group bullies and threatens their way through the school. When Nick starts tormenting Erin—and she stands up to him—the harassment escalates until Kevin is forced to make a difficult decision and risk everything.

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Responsible comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

I liked this novel.  It’s a really fast-paced read that any reluctant reader will love.  There is no down time, and the story sucks you in from the very first page.  It has a lot of suspense packed into a very span of writing, and I was on the edge of my seat as I read.  Ryan is a great writer, and I really enjoyed the themes presented in the novel.  I don’t think anyone can hear them enough, young and old alike: do the right thing, even when it’s not easy (especially when it’s not easy).  Four stars.

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

From Goodreads: James LePore’s first novel, A World I Never Made earned raves from reviewers, readers, and fellow authors alike. Blogcritics called it, “An outstanding first novel, and a wonderful thriller.” Bella Online said, “I highly recommend this compelling suspense story filled with vivid characters and haunting storylines. A story that will stay with the reader long after the final pages.”

Now LePore returns to the characters of A World I Never Made to present us with three suspenseful and unforgettable stories:

Till Death Do Us Part: A young Pat Nolan and his wife are on their honeymoon in New Mexico when they find a bond they did not know they had as they are forced to confront trouble in the form of a surly trio of locals.

God’s Warriors: Megan Nolan, a cynical American woman on her own in Europe makes a life-changing decision that both reveals and belies her true character.

Max: Max French, a quirky, deadly and, in his own eyes, oddly lovable FBI agent faces a personal drama that will set the course of his future.

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A World I Never Made is my favorite novel of LePore’s; it’s filled with suspense and drama and I read it all in one sitting.  I love that book, so imagine my excitement when I found out there were three short stories that accompanied the novel!!  Each story further explains the characters in the novel, giving the reader more insight into their psyche.  LePore writes, “I fall in love with my characters, and when my novels are done, I am not quite ready to let them go.  Writing the stories in Anyone Can Die closed the circle for me…  a suspense novel cannot really slow down for long flashbacks that are meant to fill in the blanks of central characters, no matter how well written they may be.”  I really enjoyed these short stories as they have further endeared the characters to my heart.  I highly recommend that you read A World I Never Made and then pick up Any Can Die.  You won’t be disappointed, trust me!!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a great coming on age novel for middle grade readers, and it is most enjoyable.  The novel is illustrated, which helps bring the story to life right on the page.  Yet, the illustrations do not overpower the imagination of the reader; they are tastefully done and evenly interspersed.

To read the rest of my review, click here.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has been so gracious as to allow me review an ARC of this novel, through Netgalley, prior to its release in the United States today.  So, without further ado, here’s the synopsis from Goodreads:  In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment—or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door.  Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the king’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process. Originally published in the UK, this book has a powerful blend of heart-stopping action and thought-provoking themes.

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This was a really interesting historical novel, and I’m glad that it’s making its debut in the United States this month.  As the synopsis states, it deals with Scotland in the seventeenth century, an aspect we don’t study very often in the States, yet the events in this novel mirror events in the U.S., specifically the Salem witch trials.  I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel as Maggie and her grandmother are accused of witchcraft.  I think what I enjoyed the most about this is that Laird never explicitly states whether the grandmother and Maggie are actually innocent.  Laird did a phenomenal job writing this portion of the novel, and I found myself pulled in different directions as the story unfolded.  At times I was convinced that Maggie and her grandmother were truly innocent, only to be confronted with information that made me later questions their innocence—and the answer is never blatantly stated.  I enjoyed being able to figure it out for myself, without Laird telling me what to think; this was refreshing as I was able to make my own decision based on the text.

However, what the synopsis doesn’t tell you, and what you need to know, is that this novel also has extreme religious undertones, and only half the novel deals with witchery.  Many of the characters are highly religious and they quote from the Bible often, which is fine, but not my forte.  I understand that religion is imperative for this historical novel as it deals not only with false accusations of witchery, but also with King Charles’ attempt to force protestants into submission.  However, I found myself skimming large passages where the characters rehash previous statements, or quote excessively from the Bible, and I just didn’t enjoy that portion of the novel.  This, of course, is a personal preference, and you may come to a different conclusion as you read; it just isn’t for me.  Three and a half stars.

From Goodreads: When Georgina Fulci’s plane crashes into the Atlantic, her troubles have just begun.
Desperate to get home to her family, Georgina and a handful of survivors must find a way to escape an uncharted island… while fighting off hordes of the living dead.

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This is a fantastic novel!  I’ve read many zombie stories, but this one takes the cake!  I was most impressed with the fact that there is a great storyline surrounding this novel; it’s not your run of the mill zombie story, and I highly recommend reading it!

The format of the novel is intriguing.  Patterson sets the story up as an epistolary novel (my favorite), using journal entries instead of letters.  Georgina Fulci, the protagonist, writes in her journal for a number of reasons: a last testament to her beloved family in Wisconsin, to record the events unfolding around her in case anyone should ever find her journal, and to defer insanity.

The synopsis for the novel is very short, but don’t let that be a deciding factor in regards to picking up a copy of this novel.  Yes, Georgina’s plane crashes into the Atlantic, and yes, the dead are coming back to life, but zombies are really only the half of it.  Patterson has created extremely vivid characters that must come to terms with their reality and search their souls.  I was able to relate to all the characters on some level, understanding their thoughts and beliefs, and their authenticity forced me to really question my own inner being.  If I was in a similar situation, what would I chose to do?  While the novel is fantasy, Patterson explores many wonderful areas of humanity that are rarely examined in detail, especially in zombie novels.  The reader is confronted with love and loss, comradery, a mothers will, hope versus hopelessness, selflessness versus selfishness, etc.  Patterson is a wonderful writer, and I was impressed by how much ingenuity poured out of his novel, especially as I went into it thinking it was just going to be about zombies on an island!  The synopsis doesn’t do the novel justice—you should really pick up a copy of this novel from Amazon or Barnes and Nobel and see what I mean; you won’t be disappointed!  Four stars. 

I was given a copy of this novel by the author for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  Shattered by the breakdown of yet another romance, Jana Hayes becomes a recluse in her tiny Venice apartment and buries herself in her work as an expert art conservator … until an ancient religious icon brings Roman Catholic priest Rob Anderson into her life. 

The secret they discover hidden in the mysterious artefact turns out to be not only devastating, but deadly.  And it has the star-crossed couple running for their lives across Europe and the Middle East, pursued by three ruthless opposing factions, each for its own reason determined to torture and kill to lay hands on the world-shaking evidence uncovered. 

While Rob struggles with his priestly vows and Jana with an overbearing billionaire mother who holds the purse strings to an outrageous ransom demand, they discover, with the help of an ageing genius symbologist, more and more damning revelations about one of the New Testament’s most sacred gospel writers – and as the evidence mounts, the stakes rise and the blood flows. 
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This was a really fantastic read!  Dingli is a superb writer, encompassing it all within her novel: suspense, mystery, romance, murder, betrayal, and even terrorism.  I was intrigued as I read, spurred on by the mystery that surrounded the novel as Jana and her friends uncover a conspiracy and figure out the truth.  I was reminded of The Da Vinci Code as I read (the movie, I’ve not yet read the book), yet only in terms of mystery and secrets within the Catholic church.  Dingli makes this story her own, and all other similarities with other novels and movies end there.  I would, therefore, love to see this novel hit the big screen as its sheer amount of intrigue, suspense, and mystery will captivate any audience.

I highly enjoyed the characters as they were well rounded and sincere, adding to the narrative of the story.  I was able to identify with the characters on many levels, solidifying my fondness for the novel.  Dingli does a superb job shrouding her book in mystery, and kept me guessing as new information came to light.  I found myself drawn in to the novel, right alongside the characters, while coming up with my own theories.  Yet, I was just as shocked as the characters were when the truth was finally revealed; it takes a very skilled writer to keep such a vast secret from revealing itself before the exact time, and Dingli does an outstanding job. 

I am also impressed with the amount of time Dingli spent researching her book.  While admittedly a fictional novel, all the locations, paintings (save the separated icon Jana works closely with) and sculptures, illnesses, transportation routes, and documents presented in the text are authentic.  This aspect makes the novel that much more intriguing as one can actually visit and research these relics for further study.  It is plain to see that Dingli put a lot of time and love into creating her novel, and I highly recommend reading it!  Four stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Spencer Wedgeworth, a rising young star in an elite law firm, fears that he is being drawn into an international crime ring headed by his superiors at the firm, including some rather flashy and violent women. Aided by a quirky paralegal planted to spy on him and with whom he falls madly in love, Spencer uncovers the real truth about the contraband that he has been spiriting around the globe, a truth far more terrible than anything he could have imagined. But when his friend and long time mentor betrays him, Spencer flees to Bolivia where he has it out with the mob bosses in a wild brawl instigated by his girlfriend. Will Spencer survive to see justice done, or will he become just another in a long line of unfortunate victims in a violent, no-holds barred game of espionage and murder?

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I struggled somewhat, in the very beginning, getting used to the style of this novel.  I went in thinking it was a dramatic legal thriller based on the synopsis, but soon realized that it is actually a rather eccentric comedic novel.  Once I realized that, it was smooth sailing as I read.  A Pittsburgh Affair is very fast paced, and I soon found myself whisked away on Spencer’s adventure of deception and intrigue.  Within the first few pages of the novel, Spencer is already in trouble as a thug attempts to mug him in a donut shop.  From there the story rapidly unfolds as the action takes place.  I would have liked to see a little more character development and explanation of the storyline, yet the story does not suffer without it. 

While the dialogue is on occasion awkward and quirky, realistic dialogue is one of the hardest aspects to capture in writing, and it actually adds a comical spin to the novel, which was very enjoyable.  Suspense is prevalent, especially as the novel develops, yet Peters juxtaposes it nicely with comic relief as the characters find themselves in harrowing situations and making unorthodox decisions.  Overall Peters did a nice job generating reader interest.

My only real complaint about the novel is the vast number of errors.  I read a first edition of the novel, and like many first editions, errors are present within the text, which can be quite daunting to a reader.  However, as subsequent editions become available, this issue will quickly resolve itself through revisions.

Not sure this novel is right for you?  Check out Peters online; he’s published a great many novels, all centering around very different topics.  Three stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From the back of the novel: When Jay Cassio’s best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay’s parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.

Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.

Once again, James LePore has given us a novel of passions, intense moral complexities, and irresistible thrills. Filled with characters you will embrace and characters you will fear, Blood of My Brother is a story about a quest for revenge and redemption you won’t soon forget.

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LePore says it best in regards to his novel as it “explore[s] many things: the child shaping the man, the loss of loved ones, human cruelty, and the forces that compel us to either live or die in the face of despair.”  This is a wonderful read with many different twists and turns.

I highly enjoyed the parallel stories entwined within the novel.  LePore has a gift for bringing together two seemingly unrelated stories, and I love reading about two separate instances and contemplating their connection.  The characters in this novel are very strong, and LePore does a wonderful job fleshing them out, starting from their early childhood to the present.  I’ll admit that it took a few pages for me to get into the story, as I wasn’t sure where the background information was going (Jay as a five year old).  However, the story quickly picked up and I saw the connection, which helps solidify the relationships between the characters within the novel—so, if you’re anything like me, don’t let the first few pages deter you.  LePore is an exceptional writer, and his novel will have you on the edge of your seat before long!

Blood of My Brother is another testament to LePore’s refined writing ability; he is a wonderful suspense novelist.  I’ve read all of his novels, and I’ve greatly enjoyed every one of them; they have character.  His style is a cross between John Grisham and Harlan Coben, two of my favorite authors, and LePore has quickly endeared himself to me; I love his writing! Four stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Ask Me Why I Hurt releases today, and I highly recommend picking up a copy!  This is a wonderful memoir!

  Check it out!

Click the book cover to see my review.  Available at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon.

From the dust jacket: Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who has committed suicide.  The body, however, is not Megan’s and it becomes instantly clear to Pat that Megan staged this, that she is in serious trouble, and that she is calling to him for help. 

This sends Pat on an odyssey that stretches across France and into the Czech Republic and that makes him the target of both the French police and a band of international terrorists.  Joining Pat on his search is Catherine Laurence, a beautiful but tormented Paris detective who sees in Pat something she never thought she’d find-genuine passion and desperate need.  As they look for Megan, they come closer to each other’s souls and discover love when both had long given up on it. 

Juxtaposed against this story is Megan’s story.  A freelance journalist, Megan is in Morocco to do research when she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman.  They begin a torrid affair, a game Megan has played often and well in her adult life.  But what she discovers about Lahani puts her in the center of a different kind of game, one with rules she can barely comprehend.  Because of her relationship with Lahani, Megan has made some considerable enemies.  And she has put the lives of many-maybe even millions-at risk. 

A World I Never Made is an atmospheric novel of suspense with brilliantly drawn characters and back-stories as compelling as the plot itself.  It is the kind of novel that resonates deeply and leaves its traces long after you turn the final page.

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WOW!  I always read right before bed, and I picked up this novel with the intention of whetting my appetite through a few chapters, but I ended up reading the entire novel in one sitting.  Needless to say, I got very little sleep, but the story was well worth it, permeating my dreams once the tale came to an end—it is that powerful!

In a sentence: A World I Never Made is a stunning tale of love and deception.  I love this novel!  LePore is a master storyteller, keeping the reader glued to the pages from the very beginning.  The story is a whirlwind of mystery, spurring the reader on as the truth unfolds.  The characters… the story… the suspense… everything was phenomenal!  I loved the juxtaposition of the two stories: Pat’s present, and Megan’s past, which eventually come together to create a mind blowing grand finale to LePore’s debut novel about terrorism.  It is obvious that LePore put a lot of time and research into this novel, and it shows through the pages of this epic tale.  This book is a must read; you will not be disappointed with LePore’s sheer talent, which will hopefully make it to the big screen.  Five stars!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I won a copy of this novel from Goodreads First Reads in the middle of March, 2011.   

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Secrets and mysteries are locked within an ancient tower that the wizard’s apprentice must guard with his life. One simple slip-up puts the fate of the world in the power of a desperate King’s Mage, threatening to destroy peace and harmony throughout the world. Time is running out, and Galax Hanz is the only one with the magical arts to lead a collection of unlikely allies to retrieve the precious Keys of Fate. But when Galax is pursued by the evil Mage’s Bloodwyns—the half-man, half-bird shadowy creatures of darkness—he soon realizes he has been drawn into a monumental struggle that challenges the foundations of his tradition. Galax will be forced to test his faith and training, which will guide him into the unknown regions on the road to the discovery of the alchemistic formula of life, death, and destiny.”

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I’m sorry to say that I am not a fan of Randolph’s book.  I really had a hard time finishing it.  The cover is beautiful, and the synopsis sounds intriguing, but the writing style seems hard-pressed and is not for me in the least.  There is very little character development and the storyline jumps from scene to scene with sparse explanations, making it difficult for me to follow.  Galax is the main character, but little information about him is presented, so I never felt drawn to him, or to any of the characters for that matter.  Galax actually comes across as a chauvinistic narcissistic male; he believes he is wonderful, and conceited characters really don’t win my affection.  Had more time been spent developing each character and telling their story, I feel like I would have enjoyed the novel much more.

I am still not sure what period this novel is supposed to take place within.  Originally, I thought it was set in the “olden days” in an alternate universe based on the dialogue, but then the dialogue began to shift back and forth between modern slang and older proper language.  This was disheartening because the change was so vast, and it continued throughout the entire novel, making it very difficult to read.  The dialogue became trite as the characters spoke to one another, and I really just didn’t enjoy it. 

The names used throughout the book were interesting as they were mostly exotic, but I again came across disunity within the plot, as one of the characters was names Keith.  Having such a commonplace name in the midst of exotic ones, such as Galax and Silvica turned me off from the novel and makes me feel like Randolph was unsure of the presence she wanted her novel to have.

Although I did not enjoy the novel, I feel like this might be something middle grade students may like, especially since they may not notice all the errors and inconsistencies within the novel, but I can’t be certain.  One star.

From Orca Soundings:

The cop pulled something out of his pocket.
“You recognize this, Josh?”

I stared at it. It couldn’t be.

Andrew looked at it too. After a moment he said, “That looks like the fish club Dad gave you.”

“Those are your initials, aren’t they, Josh?” the woman cop said.

I nodded.

“It’s what Scott was hit with. We have it down at the police station, Josh. Besides your initials, it has your fingerprints on it.”

Josh struggles to control his temper.  Josh had been living in a group home after being ratted out by Scott, his one-time best friend. Now he has moved in with his brother and overbearing sister-in-law and has been sent to a class designed to teach him to deal with his anger. When an old enemy continues to push his buttons and Scott appears to be up to his old tricks, Josh struggles to control his temper. Framed for a crime he didn’t commit, it will take all of his new-found strength to keep his cool—and his freedom.

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Snitch comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

I was really surprised that this novel dealt with dog training.  I really wasn’t ready for that, but I think McClintock uses a great literary device comparing rage and anger in humans to untrained dogs.  It was a really interesting look at anger management, and I enjoyed reading it, even though dogs aren’t my specialty.

I think this novel has a great overall message that our society needs to adhere too.  Being considered a snitch is one of the worst labels one can have, according to my students, and I think it is interesting that they hold such a strong belief.  I hope that reading this short novel will help them see that snitching is not always a bad thing, especially when it deals with crimes and life and death situations.  Three stars.

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Two years ago I did a terrible thing. I accused my best friend of being a killer after seeing him kneeling over a girl’s body. That moment and that outcast boy still haunt me.  Now my mom is forcing me back to Oklahoma and I can’t get White Bird out of my mind. But when I find out he’s not in juvie—that he’s in a mental hospital, locked in his tormented brain at the worst moment of his life—I can’t turn my back on him again.  No one wants me to see him. My mom doesn’t trust me. The town sheriff still thinks I was involved in the murder. And the other kids who knew the dead girl are after me. I’m as trapped as White Bird. And when I touch him, I get sucked into his living hell, a vision quest of horrifying demons and illusions of that night. Everything about him scares me now, but I have to do something. This time I can’t be a coward. This time I have to be his friend.  Even if I get lost, as well…”

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This was a really great read!  Now, I’ll admit that I was bored in the beginning.  I wasn’t sure where the story was going, and I didn’t know the characters well enough to care about their plights.  My first impression of Brenna was that she was a selfish brat, but as the story and the characters developed and I began to understand them, I soon changed my mentality and became hooked; I read this novel in one sitting, whereas I had planned on just perusing it before bed.  In other words, don’t write this novel off it you aren’t drawn in right away; it won’t take long for the story to take hold of you!

I love the subchapters Dane included that tell the reader the place and time.  Knowing how much time has passed, and the location of the story, really helped me follow the plot and stay interested.  I didn’t have to guess, and I wasn’t confused, even when two stories were going on at once, since each section had its label.  I think more authors should follow Dane’s example and include this information within their novels.  I just want to enjoy what I read, not try to decipher a timeframe, and Dane did a superb job with this.  I also loved that the story jumped between the past and present, giving the reader snippets of information to further peak interest in the mystery that revolves around Heather’s death.  Just enough information is given to spur the reader on without giving away too much detail. 

There are major plot twists throughout the novel and Dane kept me guessing as the plot unfolded.  I had many theories about the murderer as I read, constantly changing my opinion, but Dane still surprised me in the end.  I do think the murderer’s identity was given away too soon, but this is just personal preference.  I like the major twist to be at the very end of a novel, leaving the reader whirling and trying to grasp the new information after the book is complete.  While Dane doesn’t reveal the truth until very close to the end, there were a few chapters left, in which Dane concluded the love portion of the story, and the reader has time to grasp and digest what they’ve read.

As far as the characters go, it pains me to say that Dane created a very real cast of characters.  The sheer evil within some of the characters is not overdone; neither is the racism within the novel.  I found myself livid at times as I read, and the evil characters within this novel have no redeeming qualities, but that is a high note because I feel justified in hating them.  I wish that the actions of the characters were far-fetched, but they really aren’t, and Dane does a beautiful job portraying the evils that encompass racism and hatred for others.  The extreme hatred that permeates this novel is a wakeup call to all who read it, and it will leave you questioning society’s views what is acceptable and what is not.  Four stars.

Synopsis from Orca Books:  “In the photograph, Aunt Donna is very, very pregnant. My mother is not. I look up at my mom and she is crying—silently, with her hand over her mouth. I just make it to the bathroom before I lose my breakfast, my lunch and my mind.  Emily’s life is turned upside-down by a visit from the UPS man.  After Emily’s aunt dies, Emily learns that everything she has always believed is a lie, and her world crumbles. Forced to face the fact that her mother is not who she thought she was, Emily tries to find the truth about her past and make sense of her future. Turning to graffiti and vandalism as a way to deal with her anger, she comes to realize that there is more to a family than shared DNA.”

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Orca Book Publishers is an organization that produces fiction for reluctant readers, especially readers on the lower spectrum, with a reading level between second grade and fourth grade.  Bull’s Eye comes from the Orca Soundings series, which is for those ages 12+, and is written in a way that the reader, especially a reluctant reader, can easily understand.  

I had a really hard time getting into this story, and I think that is all based on personal preferences.  They story is very well written, and I think it will appeal to the young adult crowd, but for me, it just didn’t click.

Emily is a very selfish young woman who believes the world revolves around her, and I have trouble with characters like that.  Yes, her world is knocked upside down when she finds out her “mother,” Saundra, is really her aunt, and her recently deceased “aunt” is really her mother.  Yet, I don’t think that justifies the reactions of Emily or Saundra within the novel, especially because Emily states in the very beginning that her deceased aunt meant nothing to her, and she only met her once.  However, Emily flies off the deep end, as does Saundra, and their reactions were just not real to me.  Saundra seems like a loving, caring parent, but the fact that she doesn’t even blink when Emily runs off makes me question the validity of the story line.

I also had a difficulty following the timeframe within this story.  What I thought happened over the course of a day actually took place over eight days, and then the story continues to speed up as Emily returns and takes part in destructive decisions, landing her in some trouble.  The next segment is even harder for me to follow as Emily meets and young girl and must make the right decision in regards of helping her.  For me, this was all very quick and I feel like, as the reader, I was left behind.  The story begins at one point, and ends somewhere completely different, and I feel like the two points have no connection.  While the writing is fluid and very well done; I just had a lot of trouble with the storyline itself.  Two stars.

Check out my Orca Book Publishers page for more information, titles, and reviews for reluctant readers!