Month: September 2014

Posted in Book Reviews

The Paper Magician

Posted on by Little Bee

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Rating: 4 Stars

Narrator Rating: 5 Stars

I first received this book through the Kindle First program but decided to listen to it instead….WONDERFUL idea!

Historical fiction is sometimes hit or miss for me, but this is definitely a hit! McFadden’s delivery captured me from the very beginning. Ceony was annoying until she finally let go of her anger about being forced into paper magic. I understand her sorrow/anger/aggravation, I’m not sure that I would’ve chosen paper magic either. That’s why she was forced.

I totally have a crush on Magician Emory Thane. If this were a movie I think Ian Somerholder would be a perfect fit.

I think Ceony was a little harsh on her quick clouded judgment on Thane and it was a nice bittersweet moment for her when she realized it and questioned how often had she done it before (because she was wrong)/

I gave this book 4 stars because, without giving too much away, I’m not sure what purpose the bulk of the book served. The specific chapters regarding when Ceony was trapped inside of Thane’s heart. I only see three purposes it served:

1) She developed a greater understanding and respect for Thane
2) A few spells she learned that helped her defeat Lira
3) How Lira became the way she is

Other than those reasons, it served no purpose. And it took up A LOT of chapters.On the flip side, it was nice to learn more about Thane.

The ending was feel-good and expected. But it was one of the few times that “expected” worked. Usually I am not a fan of too predictable of an ending. In this case, I was anxious to see how it played out to get to the ending.

I started this book with a smile and I ended it with a smile. It was magical, heart warming (sometimes heart breaking). with a dash of romance (but not romance at the same time…more of a heart opening experience). I am looking forward to the rest of this trilogy. The characters are lovable, they experience growth when growth is expected.

Amy McFadden was EXCELLENT in her delivery. Every voice and emotion was spot on. She elevated the experience of this story to a whole other level. She puts you into the scenes with Ceony. You experience Ceony’s journey like you are by her side the whole time.

Posted in Book Reviews

I’m Still Here

Posted on by Little Bee

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My rating: 5 stars

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This is my honest review.

There will be a minor spoiler at the end of this review. Just throwing it out there.

I was super excited when I found out that I had won this book. It is one book that I truly wanted and wanted badly. The whole premise just sounded spot on. Kathryn Biel delivered.

Esther has this sense of humor that is completely relatable. I enjoyed every interaction she had with Kingston. Their banter was spot on. My heart broke for Esther having a family that didn’t want her. Who couldn’t care less about her. My heart hurt for her for having a twin sister that just suddenly disappeared. Esther tried moving on with her life as if Aster was dead, because she truly thought she was.

Like you can read in other Goodreads reviews, I laughed throughout this book. I cried. I was angry. I was in shock. My heart literally hurt. I got so anxious that I had to read faster and I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t read any faster than I was. This was truly a phenomenal read. I am glad I got to go on the journey with Esther. (Spoiler)–I wish she retained her memory, but I am glad that her and Kingston were able to further their relationship and she let him and that he was man enough to stay when everything happened. Some men that would have scared off. It was nice to see a nice strong male lead so deserving a strong woman. Esther had everything I want in a female protagonist. She is strong. She is independent. She is witty. She is relatable. She has strength when everyone around her is barely holding on. She has perseverance like I haven’t seen in a character. She just keeps moving, keeps going forward, keeps doing what she has to do to keep her head above water. When she finally drowns, the family she never had, rescues her and gives her the will to keep going.

I highly recommend this book to pretty much everyone! It was so good. I read it all in one sitting. I was left just…feeling. I wasn’t even sure how to write this review. It was a moving story and I will definitely be seeking out more of Biel’s works.

Posted in YA Book Reviews

As Red As Blood

Posted on by Little Bee

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Goodreads rating: 2 stars

Narrator Rating: 4 stars

 

First, let me say, this review will contain a spoiler. I am just not sure how to write my true feelings and reasons for the low rating without giving away things. I won’t give away much, but enough to justify my feelings.

I originally received this book for free through the Kindle First Program. After multiple failed attempts to start this book, I gave up trying. Recently, I saw that I could get this book super cheap on Audible. I figured I could attempt it again this way. I can say that I finished the book.

This book was difficult or me to get into. Throughout the story, I kept getting lost during a half-assed flashback. The flashbacks were so vague that I didn’t think I would ever understand why Lumikki was such a badass. I thought of everything this girl could have gone through to become how she is. I thought maybe she was sexually abused as a child or maybe she was involved with the mafia (because how else would a 17 year old girl know how to do half the stuff she does). But no. Lumikki wasn’t an escaped victim of the sex trade, or a prostitute trying to hide from her pimp. She had no ties to the mafia. So…how did Lumikki become the ninja level master of disguise? *SPOILER* She was BULLIED Before I continue, I want to note that bullying is NEVER okay. EVER. I am simply stating that it is hard to believe that a bullied girl could suddenly exhibit CIA level covert, operating detective skills WITHOUT help in such a short time. I just can’t make that connection. The way Lumikki is now suggests something much more sinister than being beat up and bullied by a couple of mean girls she knew since she was a little girl. Yeah, the bullying was really bad. I can see how it would impact Lumikki’s life. Just not with these types of skills.

I know, I know…sometimes bullied kids retaliate in the most atrocious way. This isn’t like that. This girl became a sneaky super spy for herself. And ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time involving a bunch of drug lords and knew how to handle herself in the situation and how to investigate at such a high skill level. It just isn’t logical for Lumikki to be a bullied victim and have these skills.

A plus side is that Lumikki isn’t a damsel in distress. She is a very strong protagonist. For me, she isn’t 100% relatable but you do warm up to her. Her quirks make it harder to accept that she was bullied and that is why she knows how to walk 20 different ways or look less like herself on the fly. Or even how to snoop around a house with someone inside and they have no clue she is there.

This is apparently the first book in a trilogy, which has me confused. This book ENDED. What is there left for 2 full books? This book held a lot of promise, but for me, it failed to deliver. There is always a lot going on, which usually makes for an interesting story, but the climax just built with the end being a dud.

My narrator rating was high because the narrator was good. There were times some emotion wouldn’t have hurt. There were also times where her characters blended together and you couldn’t tell who was talking or if it was a flashback.

Posted in Middle Grade

It’s a Pandy thing.

Posted on by Little Bee

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My rating: 4 stars

 

I received this book for my honest review

My overall impressions of this book was that it is cute for the target age group.

Tony Pandy, the main character, is a bit selfish, self absorbed, sarcastic, mean and a bit on the jerk side. As the story develops, Tony also develops. At first, Tony’s behavior frustrated me. But as the story unfolds and you see how sad of a life Tony truly has, it makes sense. Tony is really sick, wheel chair bound, and not many years of life left.

Tony’s “father” died and Tony did not want to go to the funeral. In fact, Tony never went outside. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t get down the stairs in his wheelchair because there was no wheel chair ramp in the house. Further, it had been years since Tony even saw his own mother. They communicated via intercom in the house.

My favorite character was Hawes. I was so sad when Hawes was fired. I am curious about his background though…but Hawes showed Tony that not everyone is in his life for the money. Hawes genuinely wants to help Tony. How did Tony repay Hawes? Tony tricked Hawes into believing Tony’s mother approved of an outing. The end result? Tony’s oxygen tank depleted and he ended up in the hospital.

This story really is an underdog story. There isn’t ever really a slow moment. There is a lot of growth, a lot of “mysteries” to be solved and gaining a life worth staying alive for.

My one issue is that I felt it just kind of ended. I believe this is a series book? If not, the ending left me wanting. I am okay with happy endings, or bad endings that I didn’t want to happen, I just need an ending! I am curious about what Assignment Two is and am looking forward to reading when it is released! Aside from being asked for my honest review of the book, even though Mr. Lundqvist’s grass needs mowed, he really needs to finishGang of Sleuths. The grass can be mowed later!

If you have middle grade kids, this is definitely a fun little read.