Review: China Dolls by Lisa See

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ChinaOh. My. Great. Goodness….and breathe….

Lisa See has really outdone herself with this one. I’m not at sure if she shouldn’t just put up her pen and call it a day…..this book was just so wonderful! I seriously wonder how she can ever top it….Most people if asked what this book was about would automatic reply with it’s about some Chinese and Japanese girls in San Francisco at the time leading up to, during and after WWII….But it’s not. To me, that’s the whole point. This is a story about 3 Americans from Chinese and Japanese descent. These ladies are every bit as American as any one else born and raised in the USA. Although your ancestry might help shape you, it does not define you. This is also the story of how people are judged and sometimes defined by their looks. This is the story of a great friendship. One that is true to life….but only if we are lucky. Yes, perhaps there will be parts that make you mad and wonder how anyone could call someone like that a friend, but this book broke my heart. It made me….no….it DEMANDED that I set my judgements aside….to leave them at the door and try to view the situation from someone else’s eyes. It made me seriously try to put myself in that time period. To imagine what it was like around me. The paranoia. The resentment. The sense of survival. Trying to maintain trust whilst everyone around you is pointing fingers. It reminds me that for some, trying to make peace with what you know, what is expected of you, what you want, and your own past…well, sometimes these things will never be reconciled. Sometimes the battles we fight in silence, within ourselves….well they are the bravest….and often the ones that are never celebrated.

When will any of us be judged solely on their own merits? By only their own actions? I know that’s a Pollyanna view and an unrealistic desire….but why? Why must we judge on the colour of skin? On our family? On our ancestors? On our Country? On all of the very things that we are powerless to change? Yet, the things within our power….those are the last things to come to be judged by…..

Yes, I won’t say that parts of this book didn’t just break my heart. That it didn’t depress me. It did. However, these characters were so rich to me. I fell in love with so many of them. I understood so many of them. I admired so many of them. I could sympathize with so many of them….even the ones I was angry with. By the way Lisa See presented them to me, well, even though I knew they were unyielding in their actions, even though I was angry and upset by this….I understood why they were that way….even if I didn’t agree or like it. However, the main characters of this book….wow…just wow….I can’t imagine going through what any one of them endured. Let alone coming out like they did. The courage they displayed. At their tenaciousness. How easy would it have been for any one of them to just throw in the towel and to despair at life. How easy it would be to just look at the actions of others and to toss them aside and never give them another thought….instead of looking at only actions, each one found it within themselves to try to understand the reason for the actions…Some would argue that this makes them too soft-hearted and gullible. I disagree. It is, in fact, much harder to set aside our own feelings and try to understand another’s…..

We should all be so lucky to have people around us like this….

No one ever does something without a reason…..nothing ever happens just “out of the blue”. Our past does define our future…..This doesn’t forgive anyone of any wrong doing…..but if we are to be judged by circumstances that are completely out of our control, shouldn’t we at least be forgiven for those within our control that we try to set right?

Read this book. Please. But leave your preconceived ideas of “china dolls” at the door. For me, this was not a novel about some night club dancers. That couldn’t be further from the truth….

I realise that my review might not convey how much I loved this book….

Let me set the record straight….right here….right now….

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book…..I already miss Grace, Ruby, Helen and Eddie…..because they are no longer in my current read, I will gladly just keep them in my heart and hope they continue to encourage me to look deeper….

Until next time….

Urania xx

Buy it now China Dolls by Lisa See

Review: The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story, by R.J.Palacio

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01won Choose kind.

I decided to take a break from the romance books I’ve been reading lately. So I was searching Amazon and cam across this little book. I was pleasantly surprised to see it. I had no idea this was coming! But if you haven’t read Wonder, please stop and go do that first. I’ll wait………

Done? Good. Wasn’t it beautiful?? I read it last year and then made me kids read it. I personally think every child should read it. Bullying is a very real thing. No matter what it’s about- looks, color, speech, whatever- bullying is a very real issue and should be stopped.

This little book, is from Julian’s point of view. He was the lead bully. We never knew what he was thinking., We only saw his actions. Now, I know some people think, “He’s just in 5th grade.” “It’s what boys do.” “He’s only playing around.” Well, it’s not right. Teasing and joking is WAY different than bullying.

Julian had so much going on, behind the scenes, I honestly felt bad for him. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to throttle him, while he was being mean, but after reading this book, I get it. I got him. I understood why he acted the way he did. I understood the fears that he felt. I understood the confusion that was swarming around him.

I highly recommend this little extra chapter, after you’ve read Wonder. If you are dealing with bullying, this may give you a bit of insight as to why kids do the things they do. We may not agree with them, but we will have a better understanding of them.

~Melpomene

Buy The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story (Kindle Single)

Buy Wonder

Preorder 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts

Review: All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

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20140531-184956-67796453.jpgHow close to slipping over the edge is the average wife and mother? Everything looks nice and pretty on the outside, but can we truly ever know what’s going on in someone’s head? Work responsibilities, carpool duties, housekeeping, grocery shopping, household budgeting…these are all things that many women find themselves juggling. And they seem to do it all without batting an eye.

Allison Weiss is that woman. She’s a successful writer/Internet blogger whose name is steadily climbing the ladder of success. She has a beautiful, sprawling house in the suburbs. And she has a handsome husband who she adores as well as a precocious daughter. But she also harbors a secret. She gets by with some help from a friend in a little bottle. What started out as a legitimate excuse for a strained back has now worked its way into an everyday occurence. As her life becomes increasingly hectic, her prescription drug use escalates. Dad recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, mom lost without him, hubby becoming closer and closer to his “work wife”, daughter Ellie continuing to be a difficult five year old…these are all things that send her running back to her doctors time and again for a new prescription. When that fails to work,she discovers a world of online drug dealing. What once was a few pills a day habit eventually turns into twenty plus pills a day. It takes a near tragedy to bring Allison to her senses. But even then, the road to recovery is not an easy one.

This was an outstanding book for me. The author expertly explores the subject of prescription drug abuse in a highly believable manner. It’s easy to see how an average, run of the mill mom would spiral out of control. So many demands are placed on parents these days, with moms being held accountable most of the time. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure to live the perfect life and to keep up appearances to outsiders. The story also serves as a warning, without being preachy, for those who might find themselves at the edge of that precipice. This was my first full-length novel by Jennifer Weiner, but it definitely won’t be my last. Grab this one and stick it in your bag for the beach!

~Thalia

Buy it Now: All Fall Down: A Novel

Review – The Accident, by Chris Pavone

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18050094A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed The Expats by Chris Pavone, and this week, I have for you a review of Pavone’s follow-up book, The Accident. Now, it’s not strictly a sequel per se, but some of the same characters do appear, and you learn a lot more about them, and I would definitely recommend reading The Expats before you read this one.
Pavone’s The Accident, is set in the cut-throat and sinking world of publishing. We are sucked into the intricacies and complexities that the publishing business faces on a daily basis, all whilst giving us a meaty thriller. Set over the course of a day (except for flashback scenes), Literary agent Isabelle Reed, is anonymously sent a manuscript and even though it is one of many hundreds she will receive in the week, she makes a copy and passes it along to her assistant, and to an editor to read. The manuscript is an explosive expose on the CEO of a multi media empire. It reveals secrets that are damaging to both the CEO and indeed the CIA. It soon becomes clear that anyone who reads the manuscript is soon in grave danger.
As I mentioned in my previous review, Pavone himself is a former editor who has lived in various places throughout Europe. The Accident takes places in Europe and NYC, and because of the author’s previous profession and his expat experience, the story really builds its layers in a successful manner. The pace is taut, the plot exciting – not too far from the realm of believability, and the dialogue is genuine. Pavone has created characters that you really want to either succeed or fail. This is another successful thriller from an author that will soon become as well know and successful as other thriller bigwigs such as David Baldacci. What gives Pavone the edge is his actual experience that he puts in his writing.
This book is definitely worth your time and money if you are a fan of the thriller genre.
~ Pegasus.

ARC provided by Blogging For Books, in exchange for an honest review.

You can read an interview/conversation with Chris Pavone regarding The Accident, here: http://crownpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/A-Conversation-with-Chris-PavoneThe-Accident.pdf

The Accident

Review, Discussion, GIVEAWAY: Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

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20140601-190211-68531752.jpg Want to win a copy of this book? Comment on this post on Facebook or twitter or on this blog (below). We will randomly choose a winner and mail you off a copy of this compelling read!

[The giveaway timeframe has ended. Thanks for the great comments!]

Calliope: This book definitely intrigued me. My eyes were gaping wide at every turn. I was astounded by everyone and everything. Would a doctor really DO that? Do doctors really THINK like that? Do wives actually turn such a blind eye to their husbands’ criminal behaviors? Is the human body truly so disgusting?
Pegasus: Whilst the rather extreme views that some characters possessed did interest me, I did feel as though some were completely unrealistic. I would give some examples, but wouldn’t want to spoil anything.

Calliope: I kinda couldn’t get over how graphic Marc was about the human body. Yes he’s a doctor, and I understand he would see things objectively, but he seemed so negative about it. The people I know in the healthcare field have an APPRECIATION for the human body, not contempt. So WHY? Why was he a doctor and why was he so grossed out by stuff?

Pegasus: I’m not easily grossed out by descriptions. Not at all. However, I felt physically sick with some of his musings regarding the human body. I kind of understand why the author chose to portray Marc like this, and to be fair it was very effective if it made me react in such a way.

Calliope: Not only was Marc a little odd, I couldn’t for the life of me understand the family dynamics. Any father I know would choke the life out of any grown man who laid a hand on his daughter. This guy was like Oh hey, it will be fine, let it be, let it be. And the mother went along with it! Maybe this happens when people are traumatized? I don’t know. It made me mad.
Pegasus: that whole scenario made me so mad! Unrealistic, and frustrating!

Calliope: The writing was great and the characters were interesting, but I thought the plot would be more thrilling. Instead it seemed to plod along, with complaints about bodies, complaints about other people, narration of the comings and goings of the children, and the acquiescence of the wives. The best I could come up with is that it’s not supposed to be exciting, rather maybe just social commentary? If so, everything makes a whole lot more sense! I was getting a little annoyed at how disrespectful everyone was. But then again, I’m used to reading Happily Ever After Chick Lit Romantic Comedies that make me laugh, then cry, then laugh, then cry happy tears. 🙂

Pegasus: I really have mixed feelings. On one hand, yes, I did think the writing was at least original, but on the other hand, I felt it did not flow properly. Maybe I just wasn’t In the right mood? Who knows. Calliope is right insofar as saying that this is social commentary. Society isn’t perfect I suppose, and there will always be factions of it with wich we don’t agree.

Calliope: By the end of the book I realized Summer House With Swimming Pool is more literary fiction. For one thing, the whole eye infection scene begged to be torn apart and analyzed. The enormity of that eye infection, the perspective of the doctor, the healing of the eye…. But I won’t analyze it here and ruin it for everyone else. For another thing, the tension between Ralph and Marc wasn’t anything I’ve seen in real life. It seemed like a metaphor. Ralph and Marc each represented something much more than themselves. And the treatment of women in Summer House With Swimming Pool was so egregious that, were I still an undergrad, I could write my senior thesis based on it. As a woman, I wanted to shake these guys out of their stupid stupors. *eyeroll* I’m getting fired up thinking about it.

Pegasus: This book was definitely more than what it portrays on the surface. A part of me felt like that it was trying to be too clever in some parts, and, in my opinion, that added to the feeling of it being disjointed. Also, because we’re not reading it in the original Dutch, translation may have been a contributing factor.

Calliope: In any case, this book spilled open some topics that are probably uncomfortable for most people to deal with: the human body, cancer, sexual immorality, the power of patriarchy… Heavy stuff told in a way that turned my stomach, made me question people’s motives, and made me wish that our world was nicer than it is.
Pegasus: I’m glad that I read this book, and it did definitely have it’s merits. Not too sure if I’ll be reading Koch’s next book, but we’ll see. However, opinions are like… Well, you know the phrase, so give this a read and hopefully you will enjoy it!

Remember, comment below for a chance to win a copy of Summer House With Swimming Pool!

-Pegasus and Calliope

buy SUMMER HOUSE WITH SWIMMING POOL

Review: Fire Rising, by Donna Grant

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01fire This is the second in the Dark Kings series. I am super thrilled to read each of these. I love reading about Fae and dragons and even warriors.
Synopsis
Tristan, the newest Dragon King, is having a tough time fitting in. Despite his ability to transform into a proud, strong dragon at will, no one knows where he came from or how he became a Dragon King, including himself. When trouble arises in the form of the mob, Tristan is going to have to put aside his questions and band with the other Dragon Kings to protect Dreagan. As if things weren’t complicated enough, he is about to find something worth fighting for more important than the Dragon Kings…

Sammie Miller, pub owner in Oban, has been scorned by her business partner—and former lover. Used as a front for money laundering with the mob, Sammie is in great danger once she realizes what has happened. Barely escaping, she plans to rest at Dreagan for only a day before going back on the run. When Tristan swears to protect her, Sammie thinks his efforts will be in vain—the mob is too powerful, and it will take more than the average man’s devotion to keep her safe. But the closer she gets to Tristan, and the more he learns his secrets, Sammie can’t deny that having a Dragon King who worships you, body and soul, isn’t such a bad thing…

Sammi is on the run, from the mob, after her partner/ex-lover launders money through her pub. She has no where to go, but to her step sister. But in doing so, it could bring danger to her and her family. Sammi doesn’t wanna do that, but she has no other choice. She has no one else in the world.

Tristan has been a dragon king for two years and he’s still trying to figure out why. He has no memory from before falling out of the sky and landing as a king. He’s been told he has a twin, who’s a warrior, but seeing him, isn’t what he’s ready for.

When Sammi comes to Dreagan searching for help, she meets Tristan and is instantly drawn to him. But she knows she can’t stay there, or else they could be in danger as well. But Tristan isn’t going to let her get away so easily. While trying to help her he starts to feel for her, but doesn’t know how to deal with it. And when he’s close to her, his past creeps up on him. So he’s not sure if this is a good or bad thing. But I like how he’ll protect her, even if he says it’s just because she’s family. He’s afraid to get close, since he’s still struggling with his past.

“Your past doesn’t define you, Tristan. Your actions in the present do.”

This story brings back a few of our warriors and druids and sets us up for some crazy new side stories. Rhi, for instance, I knew she was going to have a bigger role in this. But as to what, I’m still not sure. But I hope we find out her story. I just know it’s a good one!! Balladyn has a story also. I am crossing my fingers for him. Ulrik makes me nervous. Something bad is bound to happen. I just hope the dragons can stop him before it gets too bad.

Bring on the next one!!

~Melpomene

Buy Fire Rising (Dark Kings)

Buy the first book, Darkest Flame (Dark Kings)

Review: The Remaining by D.J. Molles

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the remainingDo you want a zombie book that is a bit different? Well here it is! I was a bit surprised just how much I enjoyed reading this one. At no time did I feel like I just wanted to hurry up and finish it! Sadly, that is often how I feel with tons of books….and books with zombies are usually a sure thing….even if I enjoy them, I also get a bit bored with them too….YES….at the SAME time…..that’s just how I roll…..

Anyways…this is about The Remaining and not about my weird personality quirks!

Here we have US Army Captain Lee Harden. Harden is one of 48 Army members that very few people know about. They have secret bunkers under their homes. His mission is to go out after an US Government collapse and try to bring people together and reestablish law and order. Of course this means he spends several weeks at a time down in his bunker to only be told it’s a false alarm and to come out like nothing happens.

However, when this novel starts Harden hasn’t heard from his contact at the appointed time. As one day goes by he knows something is not right. After 48 hours he knows there is trouble.

When he finally comes out of his bunker, he is in for a great shock. The world as he knew it is no longer. He is amazed at just how fast a government can fall. How quick mob mentality can take over. How soon people forget about others and look out only for their own. Yes, we’ve all seen examples of this in this life. The riots after verdicts…..the looters after natural disasters. But that is one city….something that can be contained…what if mass chaos happens world-wide?

I really liked Harden as a character. What he lacks in discipline he makes up for in heart…..it can also be said that what he lacks in heart can be made up in discipline….and NO….they are NOT the same thing….

Harden soon finds out that he can’t carry on with his mission as he hopes BECAUSE of his mission. He is to gather survivors together and try to control blatant violent crimes. He is supposed to protect the innocent whilst at the same time trying to control the non-innocents. His mission would be much simpler if he did not have survivors such as young children and women to worry about. He could move much faster and get more done if he could just leave them somewhere safe…but as the hours go by he is realising that no place is safe.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The only complaint I can voice is that at some points Molles seemed to make it too easy for Harden…at other times he seemed to make it too hard.

There are several more books in this series and I look forward to reading the others soon….

Until next time….

Urania xx

Review copy provided by NetGalley

Buy it now at only $1.99 it’s a steal of a deal! The Remaining by D.J. Molles

Review: Devil’s Game(Reapers MC #3) by Joanna Wylde

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01dev

“‘Love’ is a word that doesn’t mean a damned thing to me. ‘Em,’ though? That’s a word that means everything to me.”

Synopsis
Liam “Hunter” Blake hates the Reapers MC. Born and raised a Devil’s Jack, he knows his duty. He’ll defend his club from their oldest enemies—the Reapers—using whatever weapons he can find. But why use force when the Reapers’ president has a daughter who’s alone and vulnerable? Hunter has wanted her from the minute he saw her, and now he has an excuse to take her.

Em has lived her entire life in the shadow of the Reapers. Her overprotective father, Picnic, is the club’s president. The last time she had a boyfriend, Picnic shot him. Now the men in her life are far more interested in keeping her daddy happy than showing her a good time. Then she meets a handsome stranger—a man who isn’t afraid to treat her like a real woman. One who isn’t afraid of her father. His name is Liam, and he’s The One.

Or so she thinks.

I don’t know what it is, but MC books are becoming my new favorite. They have a great deal of excitement and things you’d normally not see in every day life. Some things will make you cringe. Some things would make you smile. Heck, some things will make you blush! They have their own set of rules and you don’t go against those rules or people could get killed. But one rule you should try and follow is never falling for an opposing MC. Life will become a bit more crazy and you may be forced to choose.

Em is so sick of being looked upon as the little sister, needing protection 24/7. She wants to be her own person and if that means leaving, then she would do it.

When Em meets Liam, she thought he was perfect. He was sweet and listened to her vent about her “family”. He was always there for her. But she had no idea who the real Liam was. But once she finds out, her life will never be the same.

Liam knew he wanted Em, from the first time he saw her. He was determined to make her his. But life doesn’t always go that smooth. But he tried and tried to make it smoother for her. He was really sweet when he wanted to be. ANd on the flip side, he could make her blush with just a few words.

Talk about Chemistry. Wowzers. Hot, hot, hot, with a splash of dirty. Just the way like our bad boys. A few scenes in here had me blushing!! It was a very saucy book.

And the last glimpse we get, in the book?? Yeah, now I want to read it NOW!!! I am totally sucked in.

~Melpomene

Buy Reaper’s Property

Buy Reaper’s Legacy (Reapers Motorcycle Club)

Buy Devil’s Game (Reapers Motorcycle Club)

Preorder Reaper’s Stand (Reapers Motorcycle Club)

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Review: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

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20140202-082232.jpgEverybody staring as you walk into the cafeteria. Nobody to sit with. Not-so-subtle whispers as you walk through the hallways. Names scribbled on bathroom walls. If you never experienced any of this in high school, consider yourself lucky. The teasing and bullying can be brutal.

Alice Franklin has always been somewhat lucky. Although not one of the most popular kids, she’s nonetheless always been accepted in the culture of her small town Texas high school. That begins to change after she’s rumored to have slept with two guys at a party. When one of them, Brandon who is also the star quarterback, dies in a car crash, everyone knows it’s because Alice was sending him harassing text messages. The rumor mill goes into full force and Alice is totally, completely on her own. The story is told from four points of view. Elaine is a self-professed popular, cute girl. Kelsie is Alice’s once upon a time best friend before popularity wins out over loyalty. Josh is Brandon’s best friend and was in the car when it crashed. And Kurt is a loner in his own way but somehow finds the courage to reach out to Alice. We don’t hear Alice’s voice until the very end, and what a voice it is!

This debut novel from Jennifer Mathieu is completely mind-blowing. It’s a relentless but honest look into small town and particularly high school dynamics. How do rumors get started? Why don’t people take the time to find out if a rumor is true? To what lengths will someone go to in order to protect their social standing? And what kind of inner strength does it take to survive something like this? There are many lessons to be learned about all of the above from this book. A word of caution: There are numerous scenes involving drinking and some sexual content so proceed with caution, although I think it’s completely appropriate for mature, older teens as the message within is so valuable.

~Thalia

Buy it Now: The Truth About Alice

Review: The Last Word by A. L. Michael

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20140527-195639-71799185.jpg
Tabitha was playing it safe, blogging from home in her pajamas, going out occasionally with her roommates, and avoiding romantic relationships… Until editor Harry Shulman offered her a job at the newspaper doing real journalism. Tabby did everything she could to avoid the opportunity, remembering the disaster that landed on her the last time she worked for a major news outlet.

The conversations in this book are snappy! Tabitha’s convos with her roommates and Harry are quick-witted, and so are the times she’s just talking to herself… Useful characteristic for a blogger, but a little annoying when your editor is trying to ask you out on a date. 🙂

And oh how I enjoyed Harry and Tabby’s dates. Her head on his shoulder. Flirting on car rides. Restaurant debacles. The beach. Holding hands. Staring with affection and sometimes confusion. Kissing. Sigh. I was totally brought back to being in my twenties and going on fun dates and bantering and falling in love.

Every facet of The Last Word was done well. The characters were developed appropriately for their roles (Tabby’s mom was hilarious!), and, for the most part, they were likeable. (Ex-boyfriend/ex-editor was hate-able in a wonderful way.) The plot drove forward at a respectable speed. Everyone’s relationships made sense. Natural dialogue and excellent writing made for easy reading. I’m impressed, especially knowing that Carina UK, an imprint of the publisher Harlequin, is only a year old! Well done, A.L. Michael and editors.

The only interruptions to the flow of this terrific read were the drinking and weed-smoking binges. They aren’t really my scene, but I see how it could make sense if you’re in your twenties, living in the city with roommates also in their twenties.

Honestly, I know it’s a good book when at the end I shut the kindle cover and sigh with contentment. The Last Word totally did it for me. Tabitha was a spitfire sweetheart, and Harry was so awesome I could read ten books about the man! (A.L. Michael, does Harry have a doppelgänger?)

–Calliope

buy THE LAST WORD