Review : In Search of Goliathus Hercules

In Search of Goliathus Hercules

Jennifer Angus

 Albert Whitman & Company

 

 

Henri Bell, a near-orphan who in 1890 is sent to live with his ancient great-aunt and her extensive button collection. One rainy afternoon, Henri strikes up a conversation with a friendly fly on the windowsill and discovers he possesses the astounding ability to speak with insects. Thus commences an epic journey for Henri as he manages a flea circus, commands an army of beetles, and ultimately sets out to British Malaya to find the mythical giant insect known as Goliathus hercules. Along the way he makes friends both insect and human, and undergoes a strange transformation of his own.

 

 

 

My Review:  This is a great debut novel. I thought the idea of a person who could talk to insects was unique and creative. I enjoyed this book and think my children will like it also. I will be buying this as soon as it is released. I also like the adventure and growth Henri experienced on his search for his missing father. I will recommend this book for people who have children ten  to fourteen

 

   Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this book for my honest review .

 

 

 



 

 



Review: Dark Mirror

 

Dark Mirror

M.J. Putney

St. Martin's Griffin

 

 

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory's blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she's fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she's one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory's life is about to change forever. All that she's ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl's worth.

My Review:  This book was a fast and thrilling read. I love the time periods it was set in. Great Characters and using real history to play as the adventure was amazing. I just picked up the second book so I look forward to reading the complete series and adding them to my shelves. My daughter is reading now so more of a review to come when she finishes.



Review: Torn

Torn

Amanda Hocking

St. Martin's Griffin

 

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

 

 

My Review: OK I was speechless when I finished this book. So much was reviled ind this book I was in shock. What a great second book I am so looking forward to the third and final book in this trilogy. I am glad I waited to read this because I would of had a fit it I had to wait a year to get my hands on the third book. I have it and it is going in Aprils tbr stack and Amanda Hocking has a new fan and my daughter loves the books too. So that is 2 new fans. When we are finished this series I am running out an buying the next one. ( So in about four months (( Book Bying Ban in effect. )) I can see why this series is so popular it is amazing.

 





Review: 3rd Degree

3RD Degree

James Patterson

Grand Central Publishing

 

The Women's Murder Club returns in a shockingly suspenseful thriller. Plunging into a burning town house, Detective Lindsay Boxer discovers three dead bodies...and a mysterious message at the scene. When more corpses turn up, Lindsay asks her friends Claire Washburn of the medical examiner's office, Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt, and San Francisco Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas to help her find a murderer who vows to kill every three days. Even more terrifying, he has targeted one of the four friends. Which one will it be?

 

 

My Review: Another heart racing pulse pounding thriller from James Patterson. I am really starting to understand why people love this author. His book are just great. But why why did you have to kill one of the main characters, and my favorite one at that. This was a page turner I could not stop reading and did not want to sleep at night. I wanted no Needed to finish this book. When I did finish it I took a deep breathe and just could not believe it. This series just gets better as I go along and I am glad to get it off my tbr pile. Now onto the next one.

 

Review : Dearly, Departed

Dearly , Departed

Lia Habel

Del Ray Publisher

 

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the mores of an antique era. Sixteen-year-old Nora Dearly is far more interested in her country’s political unrest than in silly debutante balls. But the death of her beloved parents leaves Nora at the mercy of a social-climbing aunt who plans to marry off her niece for money. To Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. Now she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting a fatal virus that raises the dead. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and thoroughly deceased. But like the rest of his special undead unit, Bram has been enabled by luck and modern science to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
 

 

 

My Review:  I do not understand why this is not on more TBR lists. This book was wonderful. I can not gush enough about this book. I loved it and everything about it. Okay let me see if I can break it down a little better than that.

 

 First, I loved the time period it was set in. Yes it was the future but, the people lived as it was the 1900's . So I loved the time period. It was delightful to see people living in a simpler time with only some of our modern advancements. I know that sounds strange but to have a carriage instead of a car and dress more modestly but still have computers ( yes I am very old fashioned)

 

Second, I really liked the characters. Nora was strong willed and independent (losing both parents does that to you) She was rebellious and couragous. Someone who spoke her mind when that was not favored by young women. Bram was the perfect gentleman (For someone who is dead) and had not lost his humanity.

 

Third, I loved how different chapters were told by different people. The five POV were wonderful because you jumped to what was going on at the same time in different parts of the community. Yes Nora and Bram were the main characters but the story included so much more than just there lives and where they were. Everything that they did affected the town Nora grew up in. I think it was a treat to see that going on too.

 

Lastly, it was a action packed rollercoaster ride from start to finish and I am dying to see how it continues and how it concludes thought I don't want to see it end. I think everyone should read this even if they do not like zombies, because this will make you think twice about them.

 

 

 

 

  

Review: 15 Days Without a Head

15 Days Without a Head

Dave Cousins

Flux Publishers

 

 

Despite having a depressed alcoholic mother and a little brother who's convinced he's a dog, fifteen year-old Laurence Roach is trying to live a normal life. But when his mom doesn't come home after work one night, Laurence is terrified that child services will find out she's gone and separate him from his brother.

For two weeks, Laurence does whatever he can to keep her disappearance a secret. Spinning a web of complicated lies for friends, neighbors, and the authorities, Laurence even dresses like his mother to convince everyone she's still around. By following clues, the brothers are finally able to track down their mother's whereabouts. And that's when the real trouble begins in this powerful story about what it means to be a family.

 

 

 

 

My Review: Wow what a compelling read. The horrors that Laurence face it is amazing how he prevails. I was touched and moved to tear by the way these children were neglected and abused, but through it all they live. I also found myself surprised that this was not a downer book. I was inspired by Laurence and his strong will.This book show us what true courage looks like. I also like the little bit of romance  and the few chuckles I got out of this book. I would recommend this book to anyone from 10 -100 years of age. This heart wrenching and at the same time uplifting story is a wonderful read and I look forward to adding it to my collection. 

  

Review: You Know What You Have To Do

You Know What You Have To Do

Bonnie Shimko

Amazon Childrens Publishing

 

March 28th

 

 

 

This quirky, appealing YA novel turns formulaic teen fiction on its head as funny, feisty fifteen year-old Mary-Magdalene Feigenbaum (otherwise known as Maggie) suddenly faces more than the usual typical YA concerns: a voice in her head that is telling her to kill people. Not just anyone—each time the target is someone who has done something terrible to a person Maggie cares for. You know what you have to do, the voice commands. Maggie struggles to resist, but the voice is relentless.

With rising suspense, this story of psychological horror introduces a narrator whose own unique voice and irreverent humor are unforgettable—an unlikely hero fighting a desperate battle against incomprehensible evil.

 

 

 

My Review: This book was amazing. I loved it. This is the first book I have read with such an intriguing and unique character as Mary Magdalene. I also found her true to be true to her age with because she talks and acts like a teen . I love the writing style so fluid and captivating. I finished this book in one night. I also really liked the story line with her friend ( Yes just one) and her outrageous mother. This book made me laugh and cringe at time but a great story overall. If you like your ya with a murderous twist this is a great book . Give this to someone in 8Th grade or higher and they will be captivated from the first paragraph .

 

 

 

   

Review: Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds

Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds

Nancy Martin

Signet

 

 

 

When a high society jewel thief winds up drowned at the bottom of a pool with a tacky garden gnome tied to her ankles, Nora must swing into action to save her old flame from a hasty murder charge.

 

 

My Review: This is a lighter kind of murder mystery series I started and I must say I love it. I like Nora and her sisters. They are strong and fun characters. Nora is trying to pay off her parents debts by working at the local newspaper as a society columnist, because most of them grew up with her she has access to a side of them not usually seen by outsiders. This gives an amusing spin on the upper class and Nora is witty and sarcastic. With the help of her two sisters ( whether she wants it or not) Nora finds herself in situations that you can't help but laugh at. I will continue the series it is a nice change from the hard-boiled detective stories I usually read and the books I read with my kids.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 



Review: Switched

  

Switched

Amanda Hocking

St. Martin's Griffin

 

 

 

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

My Review:  Well , since I am the last person in the world to read this book. I can now say I have read it and I liked it a lot. I have run out and bought the other two books and I am going to read them in the next two months so I can finish the trilogy. I devoured this book. I could not put it down so now I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner. (Like the Hunger Games.... Still have to read Mocking Jay) . I just don't like reading books with all the hype surrounding them. I like to read them at my own pace and see how I like them ( OK I know stop making excuses.) I also like the book because it deals with ( OK stop reading if you have not read the book ) Trolls. With all the books being about vampires, werewolves, zombies and angles it is nice to include the others too. I must admit my idea of trolls is the one that lives under the bridge, but this opened my eyes. Refreshing and exciting that is how I describe this book and my daughter is reading it now. I can't wait to see what she thinks.



Review : The Right to Sing the Blues

The Right To Sing The Blues

John Lutz

Pub 2001

 

Goodread's Description:   New Orleans is off Alo Nudger's beaten path; the St. Louis private detective likes the comforts of home. But he also loves jazz, and when he's given a round-trip ticket to the Crescent City by legendary clarinetist Fat Jack McGee, who needs to talk to him, Nudger is willing to take a flyer. Fat Jack has a problem, maybe two: A singer named Ineida, whose father is a very important man in New Orleans, and a pianist named Hollister. Hollister plays the blues just fine, but there's something about him that disturbs Fat Jack. In fact, now that Hollister and the girl are an item, Fat Jack's scared. It doesn't take long before Nudger is, too....

 

 

My Review:  I have to say this has been sitting on my shelf for years. I got it when it was first published in 1986. This book may be out of print.

 

  I really liked this book. It is a mystery that had me captured in the first few pages. I am a fan of Mr. Lutz writing and have read many of his hard boiled detective stories. I found this book at a sale and picked it up. I was a little naive to think it would be like his other books I have read but, delighted to find it more of a PI mystery than his other books. So the story was good and the plot was interesting, but not as violent  I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my friends who like mysteries.