Girls Just Reading: Group Review

Showing posts with label Group Review. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Group Review: First Frost

Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Series: Waverley #2
Publication Date: January 20, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 304
Obtained: publisher
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Like coming home
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab!

Summary: From the New York Times bestselling author of GARDEN SPELLS comes a story of the Waverley family, in a novel as sparkling as the first dusting of frost on new-fallen leaves...It's October in Bascom, North Carolina, and autumn will not go quietly. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to turn, the Waverley women are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree... and all the magic that swirls around it. But this year, first frost has much more in store.Claire Waverley has started a successful new venture, Waverley's Candies. Though her handcrafted confections; rose to recall lost love, lavender to promote happiness and lemon verbena to soothe throats and minds;are singularly effective, the business of selling them is costing her the everyday joys of her family, and her belief in her own precious gifts. Sydney Waverley, too, is losing her balance. With each passing day she longs more for a baby, a namesake for her wonderful Henry. Yet the longer she tries, the more her desire becomes an unquenchable thirst, stealing the pleasure out of the life she already has. Sydney's daughter, Bay, has lost her heart to the boy she knows it belongs to…if only he could see it, too. But how can he, when he is so far outside her grasp that he appears to her as little more than a puff of smoke?When a mysterious stranger shows up and challenges the very heart of their family, each of them must make choices they have never confronted before. And through it all, the Waverley sisters must search for a way to hold their family together through their troublesome season of change, waiting for that extraordinary event that is First Frost. ~powells.com

Jenn's Review: This is my second time starting the new year off with a Sarah Addison Allen novel and I think it's a New Year's tradition I will keep, even if it's just re-reading one of her novels --which I also did. If you visit this blog with any frequency you know that we are all huge fans of Sarah Addison Allen; I'm actually not sure there are enough wonderful words to describe her work. Re-reading Garden Spells, I fell in love with it all over again --I fell in love with the characters all over again and I fell in love with Sarah Addison Allen's writing all over again. Of all her novels, Garden Spells has always been my favorite, so much so that after re-reading it I almost didn't want to read First Frost because everything was so perfect the way it was. But if there is any author I trust not to let me down, it is Ms. Allen, so I dove in with a hopeful heart.

Sarah Addison Allen did not disappoint. It has been ten years since we last visited the Waverley's and the promise that life will be good continues to blossom from the garden. Lately however, the women are trying too hard: trying to prove themselves, trying to be more than who they are, trying to be accepted for who they are. Being a Waverley has become more acceptable in Bascom due to Claire and Sydney's overwhelming success, but it still comes with social stigma. For Bay, even though she is accepted as a Waverley, she still isn't allowed to socialize with the popular crowd. While this doesn't bother Bay, it is hard on Sydney who remembers all too well what it is like not to fit in. It makes it hard for Sydney and Bay to communicate which is sad because they used to be so close. Claire is struggling too, having closed her catering business to make candy full time. Her business has grown beyond her capabilities and it's causing her to question herself. I'm talking about the characters as if they were real again, but they are to me. That is the real magic of Sarah Addison Allen's writing. You leave each novel with new friends. I didn't realize how much I missed the Waverley's until I went back.

Ms. Allen's style is mellifluous and enveloping. Her novels are full of hope, beauty, and strong women. Her books are ones you don't want to rush through and miss a single delectable morsel, but at the same time you find you can't quite put them down. It is through her work that I became obsessed with food lit. (I can almost smell the delicious scent's in Claire's kitchen!) However with her added touch of magical realism, no one quite compares to Sarah Addison Allen. If you have never read her work, we all recommend it. Start with Garden Spells. You don't have to have read it to enjoy First Frost, but it helps you appreciate the scope of these ~~women's~~ character's lives and the allure of Ms. Allen's writing.

Julie's Review: First Frost is magic. At least it was for me. Coming back to the Waverley's was like coming home for me. I missed Bay, Sydney and Claire. While the book did focus on all three Waverley women, the hook for me was Bay. I loved coming back to her and seeing how she has grown up. Bay is so comfortable being a Waverley, that her mom, Sydney, almost can't relate. You see, Sydney didn't like being a Waverley until she came back to Bascom.

You see in Bascom, being a Waverley has a certain connotation to it. Depending on people's needs it's either a good thing or bad thing. Claire's gift is food and Sydney's gift is hair. That's all I'll say about their gifts. We learn that Claire has switched from catering to a candy making business and that it's taking up all her time. It's exhausting her and not leaving her much time for anything else.

Sydney is desperate for another child. She's doing anything she can to make that happen. She's also not sure what's going on with Bay and how to handle it. Bay is in love. She knows where she's supposed to be and know that Josh is supposed to be with her but she's made a fool of herself.

What I adore about Ms. Allen's novels is her characters. I never fail to fall in love with them. They are the people you want to have in your life. I also adore the setting. There's something a bit special about Bascom and the people who inhabit it.

There's always magic in her novels. It's not the sweeping kind of magic in some novels but it's understated and part of each character.What I always walk away from after reading, is that all of us have a little magic in ourselves. What that magic is, is up to us. Perhaps this is her gift to us. Ms. Allen's magic is her ability to write books that I love to savor and devour at the same time!

Did you have to read Garden Spells to read/love First Frost? No. Does it help with the history of the characters? Absolutely. Plus Garden Spells is one of my favorite stories of Ms. Allen's and that's saying a lot.

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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Group Review: The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest

Summary: In the concluding volume of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy, Lisbeth Salander lies in critical condition in a Swedish hospital, a bullet in her head. But she's fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she'll stand trial for three murders. With the help of Mikael Blomkvist, she'll need to identify those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she'll seek revenge--against the man who tried to killer her and against the corrupt government institutions that nearly destroyed her life. ~powells.com

Alice's Review: This is going to be a mirror review. Julie and I both had the same issue. After reading The Girl Who Played with Fire, I was filled with anticipation for the final book in the series. My mistake was waiting two years to read it. By the time I picked it up, I had lost the love I felt for Lisbeth and Blomkvist. I just wanted to know what happened in the end. I didn't need to read it to find out. Someone just tell me. Please.

All joking aside, I tried to read it. I really did. I couldn't get past Mr. Larsson's endless explanations of plots and characters and situations. I threw this novel in my beach bag, figuring it would be a perfect novel to read on the side. The only thing it succeeded in doing was putting me to sleep every time I picked it up. I still don't know what happened and it's still in my beach bag even though it's December in New Jersey and I won't be going anywhere near a beach for at least 5 months. I would like to finish it, see it through to the end but I know what won't happen for a while. So in the beach bag is where it will stay. And maybe one day, I'll actually finish it. But I won't hold my breadth.

Alice's Final Take: DNF

Julie's Review: I tried, I really did but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't finish the book. It took way to long to get to the damn point of the novel. Too many characters, too many subplots, too much conspiracy. I mean I love conspiracy novels but this just took it to a whole new level. A ridiculous level.

I just wanted to know what happened to Lisbeth and if she exacted her revenge. I wanted to know that Blomkvist helped her and that they ended up on good terms. I think I can pretty much say yes to both of those without reading the rest of the novel.

I truly loved the first two books in this trilogy with The Girl Who Played with Fire being my favorite. Lisbeth Salander will go down in my books as a truly unique and interesting fictional character.

Julie's Final Take: DNF

Jenn's Review

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Group Review: Ransom River

Summary: A stunningly complex and atmospheric crime novel from Edgar Award–winning author Meg Gardiner, Ransom River features a deeply flawed, compelling heroine, a murder trial, and the long-unsolved mystery it exposes.

Rory Mackenzie is juror number seven on a high-profile murder case in her hometown of Ransom River, California. It’s a place she vowed never to visit again, after leaving behind its surfeit of regret and misfortune and the specter of a troubled past that threatened to disturb the town’s peaceful façade.

Brilliant yet guarded, Rory has always felt like an outsider. She retreated into herself when both her career aspirations and her love affair with a childhood friend, undercover cop Seth Colder, were destroyed in a tragic accident.

While most of the town is focused on the tense and shocking circumstances of the trial, Rory’s return to Ransom River dredges up troubling memories from her childhood that she can no longer ignore. But in the wake of a desperate attack on the courthouse, Rory realizes that exposing these dark skeletons has connected her to an old case that was never solved, and bringing the truth to light just might destroy her.

Departing from her popular series novels, Meg Gardiner has gone deeper than ever into the utterly convincing lives and compelling pasts of her characters. Ransom River is an intimate crime thriller with a dark mystery at its heart—one that will keep readers breathless until the very last page. ~blurb

Jenn's Review: Oh, how I love Meg Gardiner's books! She writes fantastic suspense novels with edgy, strong women. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get around to reading this one... except that reading it means I only have one unread Meg Gardiner book on my shelf and I do like to save them to savor.

The book begins with a snippet of Rory's childhood. I was actually a little worried about where things were headed at first, but I shouldn't have been. It is just one piece in the twisted jigsaw puzzle that is Rory's past. From the outset, the attack on the courthouse seems ...wrong. Honestly, I was just as surprised as Rory when things turned ugly at the police station.

And then we meet Seth. I love the way Ms. Gardiner can take two people, rip them apart, mangle them, and then see how or if they fit back together again. Life is messy. Things happen. It's how you pick yourself up and move on that matters... and sometimes people can move with you, and sometimes circumstances make them move back towards you. This is Ms. Gardiner's greatest talent... next to writing thrilling, suspenseful, parts that won't let you stop turning pages. Seth and Rory have a history and it's ugly, and though Rory may think she's left it behind, her current situation leaves her no choice but to revisit.

Truly, I had no idea where things were headed. It's awesome that Meg Gardiner can still keep me guessing after all this time. There is twisty surprise after twisty surprise and very few that I saw a few things coming. I've learned not to jump to conclusions and just let things play out, because nothing is ever quite what it seems. I think things were more neatly wrapped up than most of her other novels, but that is probably because it's currently a standalone. Yes, there is enough loose thread at the end to pick up and keep going, but it also feels perfectly all right that things are left as they are.

We gush about Meg Gardiner around here. We do. (Fact: I did not read Julie's review before writing mine.) I can count on one hand the number of authors whose works I feel that way about. I can't encourage you enough to pick up one of her novels.

Jenn's Final Take: 5/5

Julie's Review: Meg, thank you for writing another strong yet emotionally scared woman. I absolutely adored Rory. I loved how she fought back against the allegations that were going to come at her but she didn't put herself in situations that she couldn't handle.

In the beginning of the book, because you aren't yet familiar and trusting of Rory, you do wonder if she's involved the courthouse attack. It's not too soon after that you figure out that it is what it seems, wrong place wrong time. Until of course you walk the plank with Rory and figure out that it is much, much more than that.

What Ms. Gardiner does extremely well is she keeps you guessing about everything plus she add a little of electricity between Rory and Seth to keep that subplot humming. Seth is everything you want in a sexy, bad boy except he's not really a bad boy. He only seems like it and perhaps he's a little reckless but that's what makes him appealing. The problem is that he was reckless when Rory was with him and it caused her a lot of pain. It is what made her leave Ransom River.

This is a fast-paced mystery/thriller that keeps you guessing until the final pages of the novel. There is a definite cast of characters who are both crazy and evil; some of them are related to Rory. I did guess a couple of the twists that were coming but again it didn't diminish the story for me. I couldn't wait to see how Ms. Gardiner would unravel them. I don't want to say too much to ruin the novel for you guys, so I'll just stop here.

Again, if you haven't read a Meg Gardiner book, (why haven't you!?), Ransom River is the perfect one to start with since it's a stand alone novel. Although, this reader is hoping to read about Rory and Seth sometime in the future.

Julie's Final Take: 5/5

Julie wants to thank Dutton Publishing Group for her copy of the novel.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Group Review: Graveminder

Summary: Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't at tend, and at each Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead and Bek must go back to the place--and the man--she left a decade ago. But what she soon discovers is that Maylene was murdered and that there was good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in placid Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. Beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D--a place from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk. ~ blurb

Alice's Review: I admit I am fairly addicted to certain ghost shows on TV. When I received Graveminder last year, I was intrigued. A novel about a woman whose job is to keep the dead dead seemed all right to me. I really wanted to like this. It was spooky enough, scary enough but I draw the line at zombies. And the walking dead eat people. That’s just creepy.

There were some things I couldn’t ignore. Overall, the novel lacked something. I think the writing was a bit elementary. The premise was interesting, but the execution could have used some work. In defense to Ms. Marr, I received an ARC of Graveminder. I’m sure the finished novel was better. I know the dead and zombie’s are no laughing matter but this novel definitely needed a dose of laughter. Something, anything, to lighten it up.

I liked how Bek embraced her role as Graveminder. She knew it was her destiny. I thought she was a strong character. She knew what needed to be done and didn’t shy away from her responsibility. My issues lay with Byron. I didn’t like that Byron’s rose-colored love for Bek made him blind to everything else. Maybe I’m just a cynic, but seriously, the guy needed to settle down. Yes, I know as her Undertaker they are forever linked and he’s supposed to protect her, but still. It was nauseating to watch someone that clingy. It was creepy.

My favorite character was William, Byron’s father and Maylene’s Undertaker. Of all the characters, he was the most real to me. Ms. Marr portrayed his grief beautifully. Although his role was limited, there was such grace about him. I wish Graveminder was about him and Maylene instead of Byron and Rebekka.

I have several questions, especially about Mr. D (Charles). I like Rebekkah, but can’t really stomach Byron. My opinion of the novel changed frequently during the reading. Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn't. Although in the end, I felt a glimmer of like but it might have been joy that it was finally over. I do believe if you are a fan of this genre, you will enjoy this novel. Me, not so much.

Final Take: 3/5

Jenn's Review: This is my first Melissa Marr novel, having had her YA books on my TBR list for a while but not getting to them yet, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Graveminder. As paranomal genre goes it was different, and I liked that about it. Graveminder is also a stand alone novel for now. The last bit may or may not be a good thing.

I think that there were several potential books in Graveminder; there is so much plot exposition that doesn't get fleshed out. I found myself wishing for more details in the world of the dead. I'm not sure I understood everyone's relationship and/or motivation. I'm still not exactly sure what happens over there. I wanted to know more about Abigail. I also wanted to learn more from the journals and clippings that Rebekkah and Byron found. Melissa Marr has put together a nice little scrapbook of information on the history of the Graveminders and Undertakers, but I still don't think it's enough. I thought the part about the way the jobs pass from generation to generation was confusing too.

The plot itself was fascinating and their was a huge twist that I never saw coming, though in hindsight, perhaps I should have; I think it was too heinous for me to have guessed. While I enjoyed the character's of Rebekkah and Byron, there were definitely times I was frustrated with both of them, especially Rebekkah. Her hot-cold act wore thin after awhile.

I love that it's a novel with a play list; I'm a sucker for that and I will be checking it out this week (I just wish there were embeded links). Graveminder has certainly peaked my curiosity about the rest of Melissa Marr's work and moved closer to the top of my TBR list.

Final Take: 3.75/5

Julie's Review: Let's just say that paranormal isn't my usual fare and I can say that Graveminder didn't do anything to change my mind. I did like some aspects of the storyline, although I wish it had been a different paranormal angle. While wishing that, I also realize it would have been a completely different book then.

I found that I was intrigued by the story of Rebekkah and Byron more than anything else. The Underground world was interesting but I found that it confused the story more for me than anything. It were these parts of the story that interrupted the flow of what was going on in the living world. I realize that both worlds are connected to each other and if one fails, the other one does as well. What I did think was interesting was that Rebekkah and Byron had very different experiences when they went to visit Mr. D and Abigail. What Rebekkah saw enchanted her and what Bryon saw repulsed him.

I didn't think the story that gave Rebekkah the background to being a Graveminder to be all that clear. In fact, I think I found it to confuse me even more. Perhaps if I read more paranormal books, it wouldn't confuse me as much.

In the end, there were things that I did enjoy but if there were to be a sequel to Graveminder , I would probably pass on it. If you are a paranomal fan and haven't checked out Melissa Marr, then I'm fairly certain you should. Graveminder is her first foray into Adult novels.

Final Take: 3.25/5