The Rosegiver

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Createspace for the arc of The Rosegiver by Sandy Benitez. This book started out promising and I was drawn into the story until about halfway. Then I felt like the world building, character development and backstory stopped. Rachel, seventeen years old, is traveling on a train to help her Aunt run her inn at Thistlegrove. While on the train, she hears horrible scratching outside of her compartment and the next morning she finds a long, raggedy, broken fingernail. She travels in a carriage to the Thistlegrove inn with a fellow train traveler. To this point, the story kept my interest. Then it’s revealed that Rachel is a rosegiver and she discovers her heritage. After that the story is too drawn out, so I give it 3 stars.

All These Perfect Strangers

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Thanks to NetGalley and Alibi for the arc of All These Perfect Strangers by Aoife Clifford! This adult mystery thriller begins with Penelope, Pen, visiting her therapist to receive a written report of how he feels she is doing after a tragedy has surrounded her. Part of the deal is, before Frank will write the report, Pen has to write down the truth and discuss it with him during future visits. Pen recounts her University days, as well as her days as a young girl in a different tragedy involving her best friend. The story unfolds spinning several more people into the problems on campus including drugs, deceit and murder. Suspenseful and heartbreaking, making All These Perfect Strangers a great read!

Children of Icarus

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Thanks to NetGalley and Switch Press for the download of Children of Icarus by Caighlan Smith! This story begins with the story of Icarus, which sets the scene for the rest of the book. Clara and her friend, the main character, are going to the Temple of Icarus to see if they will be chosen as angels, as children of Icarus, and will become Icarii. The chosen enter the labyrinth and what awaits them is unexpected. Violence ensues. A group saves them and takes them with as they travel out of the labyrinth and into Fates. The older Icarii explain their future – each of them makes a choice between being a scavenger or a caretaker. Once they reach Fates, their new lives begin. The main character says “Clara” in her sleep and another girl assumes that is her name. Collin, the real Clara’s brother, finds her and it has been so long since they’ve seen each other that he only recognizes her because of Clara’s hair ribbon that she is wearing. Collin later finds parts of the real Clara while he’s on a scavenging trip and calls the main character Nameless and treats her violently. She is sent away with Gina and Felix, who both end up dying and the only people left are her and The Executioner. The Executioner teachers her survival skills and becomes her friend. When The Executioner sacrifices herself to save Nameless, she reads a letter left for her by The Executioner and discovers who she is and the truth about who The Executioner is also. Confusing storyline made sensible by the author – 4 stars!

For This Life Only

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers for the arc of For This Life Only by Stacey Kade! This realistic fiction, young adult read is touching, contains strong character development and is inspiring. Jace loses his twin brother, Eli, in a vehicular accident and has survivor’s guilt and depression. He also knows Eli was keeping a close secret and was about to tell Jace this secret right before the accident occurred. The secret starts to unfold and involves his family in a way that he never would have realized. This story deals with dysfunctional families, community problems and pressure in a way that helps the reader feel true empathy for the characters. 4.5 stars!

Such Sweet Sorrow

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the free digital book of Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout! I was instantly intrigued by the story in the prologue because I knew I would be discovering what happens after Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ends. Then, the first chapter brings Hamlet into the after mix and his story begins where Shakespeare’s Hamlet left off. I was pulled in even more! Romeo and Hamlet travel through Valhalla to try to complete their individual missions and they deal with love, battles, intense warriors and extreme conditions. This story is cleverly written and imagined and it is also complete fun! I give it 5 stars!

Paint My Body Red

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the digital book of Paint My Body Red by Heidi R. Kling! This story involves a depressed main character, Paige, who is dealing with something terrible (the reader has to wait to find out all of the details) and she is leaving her mother to visit her sick father that she hasn’t seen in a long time. Paige arrives in Wyoming and sees how much her father has deteriorated. While confronting this trauma and comforting her father the best way she can, she renews her friendship with Jake, a ranch hand that used to be her close friend when they were younger. The mystery of past events becomes revealed a snippet at a time, as the story is told in parts of then and now and goes from tragic sadness to heartwarming happiness. The complex story flows well and the author bring the characters alive, which helps the reader relate to and gain empathy for them. I give Paint My Body Red 5 stars because Heidi R. Kling pulled all the aspects of this complicated story together cohesively and kept it riveting!

Wax

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the arc of Wax by Gina Damico! This story has a slow beginning that describes a very embarrassing event that happened to Poppy, the main character. It took until page 60 to pique my interest, but then the mystery begins! I enjoyed the humor surrounding the characters and the development of the characters. Poppy becomes allies with her biggest bully as they discover secrets that were meant to stay hidden. The mystery brings a legend to life and Poppy needs all the help she can get. Not as creepy or suspenseful as I thought it was going to be or would have liked it to be, so I rate it 3.5 stars for a fun, twisted read.

All the Broken Pieces

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the arc of All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen! Olivia (Liv) wakes up in a hospital recovering from an accident with amnesia. She literally remembers nothing and she keeps having different opinions voiced inside her head. She moves to a new town with her mother and father and begins school. The mystery surrounding Liv unravels through resurfacing memories, some sleuthing and parental confrontation. I did not completely figure out what the mystery was and the unpredictability was a good thing because it kept me interested. I was going to rate this book 3.5 stars, but the epilogue raised my rating to 4 stars.

Orphan Trains

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Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the arc of Orphan Trains: Taking the Rails to a New Life by Rebecca Langston-George! This book tells the true story of the origin of orphanages, the Children’s Aid Society and orphan trains. The opening of the New York Foundling Hospital, founded by Sister Irene and her order, the Sisters of Charity is described. Individual stories are shared, an orphan train timeline is included, as well as a glossary, additional resources and discussion questions. Bibliography and source notes will help anyone wanting to find more information on the topic of orphan trains and their origins. Definitely for younger readers with simple information and photographs.

The Telling

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the arc of The Telling by Alexandra Sirowy! The synopsis hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading! This book contains some casual conversational swearing with a group of teenagers (just a heads-up if that bothers you). Lana tells the story of before her stepbrother Ben was murdered and after he was murdered. Ben enjoyed telling scary stories to Lana and in these tales, Ben and Lana were always the heroes. After the teenage group has been at the local water spot, they find a body lodged under the water. They bring the body up, try to revive her to no avail and discover she’s the suspect in Ben’s murder, his ex-girlfriend Maggie. Of course, they are immediately thought of as suspects and so they decide to search for clues to clear their names. More violent acts occur and Lana wonders if Ben is the cause. She imagines Ben as an apparition that is seeking revenge. Murders and mystery twist the story around to bring past, present and family secrets into the light. The ending is a tear jerker. Very good writing, story building and the right amount of thrill make it a 5 star book!