This is a book I’ve been waiting
to read for a while. It took me a while, but I managed to snag the audio copy
of the book and was able to listen to it while driving to and from school the
last few weeks.
This was a story I hadn’t fully
expected.
I knew it was a scary story based
on what I’d previously heard about it, but I had to see if it was true.
It’s true.
From the onset we are introduced
to our narrator, Mary Catherine, or Merricat. She tells us about the routine
she and her household have.
She goes into the village on
Tuesdays and Thursdays for basic supplies. From there we learn that she and her
family are ostracized by the villagers.
Through the story we come to
learn that six years prior four people were poisoned during a family dinner.
Poison in the sugar bowl.
The elder sister, Constance, was
the prime suspect in the case. She was ultimately acquitted of the charges, but
suspicions run deep.
Now, Constance, their uncle, and
Merricat live in Blackwood house alone. The talk and scorn of everyone, until
an unexpected visitor shows up on their doorstep putting into play grievances
and stress.
I don’t want to give the ending
away, but this little book is worth the read!
After all, we have always lived
in this castle.
What are you currently reading?
Anything you think I should read?
Lucky Jamieson returns to Snowflake after a tragedy in her life. With her parents gone she is set to run their soup restaurant By The Spoonful with her Grandpa Jack. However, days within being back a body is found out back behind the dumpsters. With too many suspects piling up, and an old crush, it's hard for a girl to run a restaurant.
Take a gander at these two - they are fun Cozy Mysteries with fun recipes to try out.
Also: I just saw Endgame tonight, if you need to talk about it.
I will try and not completely take this novel apart today. I LOVED this book. I can't wait to get my hands on the others in the series (yup, I've once again stumbled upon a series. It must be a brick that's constantly in my path).
(Disclaimer: The image is not mine. The only thing that is, are my opinions of this novel.)
Title: The Architect of Song
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Haunted Hearts Legacy
Book Number One
First off, I will laud how much I love this author. Her novels are some of the best that I've had the pleasure of reading in a while. She can take a fairy tale, or previous novel, and embellish it in such a way that draws you in and literally keeps you up until the wee hours of the morning reading constantly.
There are two types of books she writes:
Y/A - taken from fairy tales, or amazing novels. (The Splintered series, and RoseBlood)
Adult Historic Fiction - original stories that are geared towards adults more than young adults.
I stumbled upon this novel after reading the Splintered Series and RoseBlood (my personal favorite, for phan reasons). I'd heard about it before and was eager to read it.
One of the things that intrigued me was the background of the characters. It kept me guessing if this was based on a Tale or not (it's not). The imagery used to conjure each background story for the main characters were compelling and vivid.
Through the novel I kept thinking about possible end scenarios, as I usually do. This one was compelling enough that I managed to be befuddled by the end game. When the final deck was revealed I found myself kicking my mental prowess for forgetting key hints that were given throughout. (In rather plain terms, I might add. Though I will defend this by saying I read only a few chapters each night for about a week, as I do have a busy schedule during the day.)
If you loved her previous novels I would definitely recommend this.
IT IS AN ADULT NOVEL, NOT A Y/A.
I cannot stress that point enough - she even states it on the GoodReads page for this book. Please, read that review before picking up the novel.
Well, this has almost everything I love most about a novel:
History
Fairy Tale elements
Victorian Era
Mushy Romance (not my favorite, but if done well, then yes)
Check out a copy at your local library. Or purchase your own via the nearest bookstore.
What are you reading this week? Any novel you think I should check out? Leave a comment below and I'll chat at you next week.
I know I rather cheated on that last entry. I completely forgot that it was Tuesday, was overcoming a cold, prepping for college, and trying to breathe. It was a hectic week.
Regardless, I did get a little something in. I'm counting it as a win in any regard.
Over the last week I have finished two novels, one which I will add my thoughts upon....the thought crosses my mind that I could possibly cover both novels, which would add a double review to this cause.
EDIT: Got back from class....I'm only doing one review, not two. Sorry if your hopes got up for that.
The first novel is a YA fiction along the streams of other recent YA/Post-Apoloctic worlds and realms.
Title: Mortal Engines
Author: Philip Reeve
Series: Mortal Engines Quartet
Right, I did not realize this was a QUARTET when I picked up the book. Honest.
I picked it up because it going to be a movie soon and I didn't want the film to ruin my imagination version of it.
Okay, fine. I only wanted to read it because Sam Neill was in the trailer ...... until I went to look it up aaaanndddd I confused Hugo Weaving and Sam Neill.
....
Wow. I'm .... flabbergasted.
On to the Book:
This is a novel about cities eating other cities.
(I would love to see a picture of this sentence before any of you read any further.)
After "The Sixty Minute" wiped out most of the world and it's populations a few hundred years previous, cities now roam the world. In order to survive they "eat" other, smaller cities.
This tale follows a young Historian Apprentice, Tom Nattsworth, as he accidentally stumbled upon a girl, Hester Shaw, who is looking to kill Thaddeus Valentine for murdering her parents over a device that could change the way London eats.
Their adventure takes them away from the rambling city of London and into the heart of the Hunting Grounds, Outlands, Marshes, and Air Haven.
There they meet with Anna Fang, captain of the airship Jenny Haniver. With her aid and the that of the League (those against cities moving, or Tracitionsts), they return to London for one final showdown.
Just a brief little bio on the book. Go check it out and see why it was immensely engaging. I look forward to seeing how the film will take this intriguing novel and transform it into (hopefully) a masterpiece.
I found the ideas in the novel fantastic. I haven't read a post-apocalyptic novel this interesting in a while. I'm looking forward to the following novels.
The day I randomly talk about a book I've recently read or have previously read before.
Lucky for you I just finished a book the other day. Literally.
Heh, Lit-erally. (I'm bad at bad puns.)
Book: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fy/Tech
With the release of this book-turned-movie, aptly released Easter Weekend, I decided to delve into the covers and read the book before going to see the movie. It's something that I always do when there's a movie that interests me that's based on a book. I've done it before with various other book to movies - Divergent, Lord of the Rings. You get the picture.
With that in mind, here is my little tid-bit review of the novel that has been remade into a film by Steven Spielberg (who honestly was the only director for this film. Stay with me on this, but he was the ONLY choice once you understand the novel).
If you've been under a rock and heard about the novel/move, here in the 5 minute recap.
*ahem*
Future world.
Poverty/war/devastation = dystopia setting.
OASIS = virtual world where everything is shiny.
Founder of the world dies, leaving a quest to find 3 keys and 3 gates to win his money/fortune estimated at xxx,xxx,xxx,xxx dollars.
Random kid lucks out and finds the first key
Cocky friend along for ride
3 other Gunters (self-proclaimed awesome fans)
Sixers = corporate sell outs and scum of the earth want to win so they can make more money = money whores = will cheat and connive (thus making all self respecting pirates look like your dear old granny)
HUNT FOR THE EASTER EGG!
The '80's were the BEST YEARS EVER!!!!
Goonies planet, because Goonies never say die
Second key is found!!
Random free quarter for a perfect Pac-Man game?
Robot figurine is your prize
THE CASTLE IS UNDER SIEGE BY THE CLAN OF MINDLESS DRONES!!
My bad, just the Sixers being scum
(And not the cool scum like Han Solo)
THIRD KEY!!
Keyblade....oh wait, Blade Runner, ooops.....
Unicorns' have the insight
Can't reach your castle? Call Mario the Plumber....wait, wrong person
MASSIVE CALL TO ARMS TO FIGHT THE MAN!
ROBOT BATTLES!!!
So many pop cultural reference, can the movie even get the rights to them all?!?!
Third Gate open!
....and they all die....
SPOILER!
Parzival, "Just kidding!"
Much Egg Hunting!
"Are those coconuts? Where'd you get them?"
What is your quest?
What is your favorite game?
What is the name of my former lover, not really because I was too afraid to talk to her, so instead I referred to her by the nickname, or rather the name of her D&D character?
Much win and gold is yours. Use it wisely.
Also - step away from technology and see the world. It's better than the virtual reality I created.
Character including:
The High Five Group - the only kids on the planet capable of finding the clues and keys for themselves. Also who sorta drop hints to each other even though they're competitors for millions of dollars. Featuring: Parzival, the main character who knows the '80's backwards, until he doesn't; Art3mis, the spunky chick who takes crap from no one and will help you cheat on the final test; Aech, the best friend who kicks your butt at games until you become better, then twists around at the end and slams you with the untilmate "AH-HA!" in real life; Shoto and Daito, the untilmate samuri's who work as a team to make the world better, they will also give you a beat down.
The Sixers - Corportae drove hive-minded bees that function for the sole purpose of finding the Egg for the collective. Spawned by the IOI corporation, which will claim the prize at the end no matter which of their hive finds it. Their skills incluce: manupliation, cheating, breaking into private records, death, and making you remeber why being a Gunter is so much better.
The Gunter Clans - Groups of actual Gunters set to find the egg and keep the balance stable in the universe. Knight who are set to keep the OASIS free from the tyranny of the Sixers and IOI.
Og - The only other dude who created the OASIS. Much nerdy, much awesome. The only one with an avatar who can kill you without moving. Also - the uncle everyone wished they had.
Halliday - The main dude in charge with the other dude respoinsible for the OASIS. He created the Hunt for all his wealthy and income right before he died. The man, the myth, the legend. Can anyone find that darn egg?
*whew*
I didn't include half the spoilers I should have, nor even all the ones that I liked. If I could spoil the entire book for you I would.
Go out and read the book. If you're as nerdy as I am, you'll love it.
Now I can finally go see the movie!
Question of the week:
What is your favorite '80's movie?
(GOONIES!)
This past week I finished another book. (14 so far this year, woo!)
I found this book on one of the may "YOU SHOULD READ THIS" lists that circumventilate the internet though the year. You know the ones - "Christmas Reading List", "Books to Read Before You Go To College", "Teen Books", etc.
Well, this one had some elements that I was familiar with:
- College Freshman
- Writes FanFiction
- Ignores Everyone
- Introvert
While I am no longer a college freshman, and the others may or may not apply, I decided to check out this book.
She and Wren used to do everything together, including writing fanfiction for their favorite book series, "Simon Snow".
Now that they're in college, they live separately, and don't talk as much.
Writing fanfiction helps Cath to sorta stay grounded. It's the thing that's constant in her life as everything is changing.
Experience your freshman year of college all over again through they eyes of a girl who's just trying to write her story while taking classes, ignoring boys, writing stories with boys, keeping her sister from passing out, keeping tabs on her dad, and trying to make sense of where she stands in the world.
I would recommend this to anyone who love to write; who's been on the nerve-wracking side of dealing with new roommates; who's lived in the dorms; who's ever had that sliver of doubt about life.
Well, it's been a week. Rough and rather frustrating.
The last book that I finished was the second in a rather spell-binding series. Each book in the series can be found on my new favorite book site: Thrift Books (if you spend over $10 - which is ridiculously easy to do - you get FREE shipping. Textbooks are also part of their stock, so win!)
The first book takes you on a dive down a rabbit hole and into a realm unlike any other. And any other other than Lewis Carol's realm. This are slightly more topsy turvy in this Wonderland than was believed or imagined by the whimsical author. Instead, it's dark place, inhabited by neatherlings.
A.G. Howard has come to be one of my favorite authors. The first book in this series was brilliantly done, and I loved her take upon the wonder that is Wonderland. The vivid colors she painted for the wonder realm left my imagination on a high overload.
Please, before reading this review (which WILL contain spoilers) - go and read "Splintered", which came out in February of 2014.
WARNING!
HERE, THERE BE SPOILERS!
"Unhinged", which came out in January of 2015, is the second book in the Splintered Series.
This time we follow Alyssa Gardner as she's finishing up the last week of high school. It's been a year since returning from the dreaded Rabbit Hole and Wonderland. Choosing to live her life out as a human, she's determined to keep her netherling side from coming out.
However, when have things ever gone as planned?
Being the new Red Queen has come with a few powers that Alyssa was not prepared for. When her mosaics at school begin revealing the future of Wonderland, she realizes things all might not well that ended well since coming home.
With Morpheus still in the human realm and causing her regular brand of mischief, she's uncertain as to his intentions.When an old toy clown begins following her around town, she's positive he's the one behind it - who else by this netherling could cause such havoc and mischief?
And then there's Jeb. She still hasn't told him about their trek through Wonderland last year, or how she took his memories of that trip away from him. She think's there's still time when he suddenly begins painting scenes of their trip to regain the crown. He's beginning to remember, but it's coming at a cost.
The previous Queen Red is coming to the mortal realm - to regain the host that narrowly escapse so she can regain the crown for herself. Bringing with her an army to wreck havoc on the world Alyssa loves and is a huge part of.
The last player in the game is Alyssa's mother, Alison. She's back from the asylum, but keeping secrets. She's bent on keeping Alyssa from ever setting foot in Wonderland ever again - but she's also keeping other secrets. Secrets that involved the Quest for the Crown, how much she truly knows about Wonderland, her own powers, and Alyssa's father Thomas Gardner.
With the setting in their Texan hometown, there's a frantic race to finish school, save her realm from an invasion of netherlings, keep her boyfriend, keep away from Morpheus, and go to prom. Just an average for a half-netherling half-human Queen.
The ending will have you spinning round, eager and frantic to get your hands on the third installment. I know I am.
Pick up a copy of "Splintered" and it's subsequent sequels to find out how it all started, what happens next, and how will it end.
Do you have a favorite book you think I should read? Let me know in the comments below; now you know.
I know, I know, I did a book review last week. But hear me out, I've got a (loose, extremely loose) plan for this blog going forward.
The first week is up for grabs right now. Maybe I'll do a post about a comment or something the readers choose. Right now, it's up for grabs.
Second week will be a Book Review. Books will range from classics to new, young adult to .... regular adult (seriously, is it only the ages that make these books different?). Expect a lot of murder mysteries (Cozy Mysteries), as that is the major genre I read currently.
Third week will be a WIP on projects I'm working on. These will either be one of the many stories I've got running, one of the crafts I'm trying to get together for a business I'm running (Zaney Designs!), or a piece of art.
Fourth week will be Obscure Film Review week. Because there are tons out there that did not garner enough "media coverage" or what not. These could also be films that I enjoy watching and hope you might take a gander at them as well. Again films will range from the Silent Era to present. I will try and review movies not in theaters - or ones that you can either check out at the library or RedBox, or stream.
Whew! Now that the housecleaning is done, here is my Book Review for the week.
Book: Eyes Like the Stars
Series: Theatre Illuminata, #1
Author: Lisa Mantchev
As many of you know, I am a HUGE theatre nut. So you can imagine all of my bundled excitement, thrill, astonishment, and over bounding joy when I saw this series on the shelf. I couldn’t burst out about this, being inside the library and all, but when I got outside with my shiny book I whooted (cross between a woo-hoo and a hoot….).
But, I digress.
This book series takes place inside the Theatre Illuminata, a playhouse in the city (unnamed). The entire series surrounds the life of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, Bertie for short. She lives inside the theatre, onstage using varying sets for her bedroom, cafe, and other. The entire series is her trying to find out who her parents are and why they left her at the Illuminata.
This first book sees Bertie trying to prove she's helpful to the cast and crew. So she set sets out to re-stage the production of “Hamlet”.
Let’s not forget - every character from every single play is alive and well, living backstage too. At curtain call they all come to life to repeat their lines. When not onstage they roam the backstage areas, talking, chatting, living their lives. Only they cannot leave the theatre...
What’s keeping them all there? The Book. The Book contains every play performed, all of their lines, and their lives.
Among those friends of Bertie’s are Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustardseed, and Moth (those mischievous fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Nate (a dashing pirate from The Little Mermaid) and, though often more mischievous Ariel (the sprite from The Tempest).
With all the excitement going around, it’s difficult to keep up with the Book, the current shows going on, and having to re-stage Hamlet in a whole new setting! What’s a girl to do?
Dying her hair a vivid blue, plunging on ahead, and writing her own script is what!
This is a book series that I highly, highly, recommend!
What's a book you'd like to see me review? Leave a few titles in the comments below.
